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Macedon House, the Gisborne three bedroom house which is noted on the Victorian Heritage Register, was recently sold for $1.36 million by mortgagees.
It was listed by Jason Kennedy from Kennedy &amp; Hunt Gisborne.
Built circa 1847, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-gisborne-128703894" target="_blank">Macedon House at 1 Kilmore Road </a>operated for some time as the Mount Macedon Hotel, then functioned as a boarding and guest house for many years from 1887.
Since then, the building on 5.17 acres has been used as a private house, restaurant, reception centre, bowling clubhouse and kindergarten.
Specified works have been outlined by Heritage Victoria that needs to be actioned to prevent further deterioration of the structure.
It was last sold at $250,100 in 1998.
The suburb's median house price sits at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-gisborne-128703894" target="_blank"> $685,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Gisborne's Macedon House sold for $1.36m by mortgagees

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Property developer Riverlee has received development approval for its $450 million redevelopment of the Northbank Goods Shed and surrounding land.
The disused industrial waterfront site is to be rebuilt as a mixed use precinct, Seafarers Place.
The development plans are set to deliver a 3,500 sqm public park as well as work on the historic wharf and heritage-listed crane. 
<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/2018/8/14/Riverlee%202.jpg" alt="">
Seafarers Place will comprise 150 residences, a 5-star hotel with 280 rooms and a 1000-seat function centre, along with a host of retail amenities.
Fender Katsalidis have designed with project with landscape design by OCULUS.
The Northbank Goods Shed transformation will signify the last opportunity to live along the waterfront in Melbourne’s CBD, Riverlee’s development director David Lee said.
Wharf restoration works began in February and are expected to be completed in the coming months, while crane restoration works have commenced with construction slated for mid 2019.
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$450 million Seafarers Place redevelopment has been approved for Melbourne's Northbank wharf precinct

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The Western Australia property groups, Pindan, is set to make its first foray into the Gold Coast.
It has secured development approval for an apartment tower overlooking Hedges Avenue in Mermaid Beach.
It has been designed for owner occupiers, with leisure and lifestyle top of mind.
Mahala will boast 94 spacious two, three and four bedroom apartments with two car bays, across 25 levels.
A rooftop solar farm system will allow residents to benefit from cheaper energy costs and lower strata fees at the project's Peerless Avenue building.
Pindan has over 40 years' experience.
It has expanded its operations on the East Coast over the past five years with its funds management arm, Pindan Capital, overseeing $1.7 billion of development projects throughout Australia. 
<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/2018/8/13/Mahala%20Mermaid%20Beach%203.jpg" alt="">
 
Pindan commissioned Cottee Parker Architects on Mahala.
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Perth-based Pindan enters Gold Coast market with luxury Mahala, Mermaid Beach apartment tower

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A Mount Gambier four bedroom house has recently been sold by mortgagees for $155,000 after a final $5,000 price reduction.
It was sold by Kathryn Weddel-Lucas from Blue Lake Real Estate whose most recent asking price was $160,000.
It was first listed last December with $180,000 hopes.
It had last traded at $145,000 in 2005.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-mount+gambier-127210270" target="_blank">Situated at 1 Finch Street</a>, the southeastern South Australian home comes with four bedrooms, lounge room, storage room/play room, rear deck and single carport.
Set on a 725sqm, the solid stone home has been upgraded with a new kitchen with stainless steel gas stove, renovated bathroom with shower over the bath, and detached laundry with new tiles.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/mount-gambier-sa-5290">$255,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
 
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$10,000 gain for Mount Gambier mortgagee sale after $5,000 price reduction 

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Six development sites amassing 16 hectares hit the market today as part of the Victorian government’s Inclusionary Housing Pilot.
It is an initiative to deliver at least 100 new community housing residences across the state.
Offers close September 6.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) portfolio encompasses landholdings in Boronia, Broadmeadows, Parkville, Noble Park, Reservoir and Wodonga.
Savills Australia’s Julian Heatherich, Mark Stafford and Jesse Radisich have been appointed to manage the expressions-of-interest campaign.
They expect enquiries to come from a broad range of local and national developers.
“Large, strategically located development sites are becoming increasingly difficult to find across the state,” Mr Heatherich said.
“This portfolio provides an opportunity for one or more experienced developers to deliver a mix of new private, affordable and community housing options in key Victorian locations.”
The Inclusionary Housing Pilot forms part of the state government’s housing strategy, which includes Homes For Victorians (March 2017) and Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 (March 2017).
“The pilot aims to provide greater housing choice for all Victorians by meeting the diverse housing needs of the growing population,” Mr Stafford said.
“As Melbourne’s population continues to escalate at a rapid rate, with eight million residents predicted by 2050, this strategy addresses the critical need to increase the supply of affordable housing.”
The selected sites are positioned in well-established Victorian suburbs, close to retail amenities, parks, schools and public transport.
-       The Boronia site (40 Mount View Road) measures 8.218 hectares and falls within Neighbourhood Residential Zone 3 under the Knox Planning Scheme (pictured below).
 <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/2018/8/13/DELWP_40%20Mount%20View%20Road%20Boronia.jpg" alt="">
-       The Broadmeadows site (2-16 Nicholas Street) measures 2.162 hectares and falls within the Residential Growth Zone under the Hume Planning Scheme (pictured below).
<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/2018/8/13/DELWP_2-16%20Nicholas%20Street%20Broadmeadows.jpg" alt=""> 
-       The Parkville site (87-103 Manningham Street) measures 11,542sqm and falls within Residential Growth Zone 1 under the Melbourne Planning Scheme (pictured below).
 <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/2018/8/13/DELWP_87-103%20Manningham%20Street%20Parkville.jpg" alt="">
-       The Noble Park site (30-40 Athol Road) measures 2.31 hectares and falls within Public Use Zone 2 under the Greater Dandenong Planning Scheme; the site is vacant and spread across two titles (pictured below).
 <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/2018/8/13/DELWP_30-40%20Athol%20Road%20Noble%20Park.jpg" alt="">
-       The Reservoir site (16-20 Dumbarton Street) measures 5,976sqm and falls within General Residential Zone 1 under the Darebin Planning Scheme; the site is vacant and spread across four titles (pictured below).
 <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/2018/8/13/DELWP_16-20%20Dumbarton%20Street%20Reservoir-2.jpg" alt="">
-       The Wodonga site (30 Jarrah Street and 41 Pearce Street) measures 19,220sqm and falls within General Residential Zone 1 under the Wodonga Planning Scheme.  
 <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/2018/8/13/DELWP_30%20Jarrah%20Street%20and%2041%20Pearce%20Street%20Wodonga.jpg" alt="">
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Victorian government to sell six residential development sites

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One of Australia's wealthiest fund managers, the Magellan boss Hamish Douglass seems to think NSW rural property is a sound investment.
He has just spent $1,925,000 on a 40 hectare holding at Moss Vale. Its coincidently called Majellan Park.
It was listed through Hindmarsh + Walsh.
His initial 40 hectare Highlands cattle farm purchase is on the other side of Yarrawa Road, which cost $1.7 million two years ago.
His funds have increased their cash weighting over recent times as he maintains only conservative investors sleep well.
The Neutral Bay based funds manager, who turned 50 last month, is unusually cautious about the global market outlook.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Magellan boss Hamish Douglass buys NSW Southern Highlands rural property

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A 60ha mixed farm situated between South Australia’s wine regions has been listed for sale. 
CBRE have been appointed to sell Glendora, a 60ha rural property.
It comprises 53ha cropping and grazing land, plus a 7.5ha vineyard planted to wine grapes in 1999 including varieties, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. 
The 386 Weichert Road, Bethel property includes an original stone 1905 homestead overlooking the Tarlee Valley.
It will attract buyers seeking mixed farming, viticulture enthusiasts and potential investors. 
It is located just 15km from the Barossa Valley wine region.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/25/ADL_AGR_Glendora%20again.JPG" alt="">
The viticulture component of the property is a low-cost operation with support in place if the incoming purchaser wishes to capitalise further on its position within Australia’s leading wine region.
Offers for the property close September 13.
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Glendora listing unlocks small vineyard opportunity in SA’s Lower North region

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Brisbane had the nation's cheapest result when mortgagees sold at Deception Bay.
Located 32 kms north of the CBD, the $305,000 sale was a two storey three bedroom home.
It was listed through Leigh Chippendale at Professionals.
It last sold a<label> </label>$48,350 in 1994.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-deception+bay-128759214" target="_blank">22 Monarch Drive, Deception Bay</a> is a three bedroom home situated on a 720 square metre parcel of land. It features a kitchen with a new stove alongside ample cupboard and bench space for meal preparation.
There is a two way bathroom, large lounge room with internal stairway downstairs to double car accommodation, and an internal laundry and workshop/entertaining area.
The suburb's median house price sits on <a href="/developments/deception-bay-qld-4508">$355,000</a> according to CoreLogic.
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Deception Bay mortgagee ranked as weekend cheapest price

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GUEST OBSERVATION
<ol>
<li>At the end of 2017, the value of the world’s real estate reached US$280.6 trillion, the highest figure we’ve ever recorded and an annual increase of 6.2%. Residential real estate accounted for the largest share ($US220.6 trillion) of that huge figure, with commercial real estate (US$33.3 trillion) and agricultural and forestry real estate ($US27.1 trillion) making up the rest. 
</li>
<li>By any measure, real estate is by far the most significant store of wealth, representing more than 3.5 times the total global GDP. Global real estate universe in comparison <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/2018/7/17/global%201.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
</li>
<li>Most residential real-estate value is contained in the mature markets of North America and Europe, with more than 44% of value belonging to just 17% of the global population. Global distribution of real estate value versus population <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/2018/7/17/global%202.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
</li>
<li>China now accounts for the largest share of global residential value, thanks to national house price growth (up 16%) and a rapid programme of housebuilding. Emerging markets, especially in Asia, are also experiencing fast growth. 
</li>
<li>The share of commercial real estate by world region is more closely related to GDP share than it is to population size. 
</li>
<li>The top five most valuable national commercial real-estate markets (excluding residential) are: US: US$8.1 trillion China: US$3.6 trillion Japan: US$2.8 trillion Germany: US$1.7 trillion UK: US$1.7 trillion 
</li>
<li>Pressure on commodity prices has slowed value growth – down 0.4% on an annual basis to US$27.1 trillion. However, an increasing world population, food production (coupled with reduction in food waste) and competitive land uses will sustain values. 
</li>
<li>Equities and gold grew much faster in value than real estate, but rising wealth in emerging economies means there is more capital at large, and real estate is viewed as a safe store for it. Investor motives remain a mixture of wealth storage, capital appreciation and income return. But, increasingly, the income produced by real-estate assets and the potential for rental growth is of increasing interest to investors as the yields on fixed-income assets have compressed.</li>
</ol>
Value growth in 2017
 <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/2018/7/17/global%203.jpg" alt="">
Yolande Barnes is Head of Savills World Research.
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The eight things you need to know about the value of global real estate: Savills

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Hobart has seen the highest annual growth in median weekly house rental prices with a 13.9% increase to $410 per week, despite a decline over the quarter of 2.4%, according to the latest report from Domain.com.au.
Unit rents increased in Hobart to $360 per week, a 2.9% quarterly jump and a 12.5% annual increase, recording the highest increase both quarterly and annually across all capital cities. Domain data analyst, Nicola Powell says that annual house rents continue to rise with 2018 providing the strongest surge in rental prices in the city’s history.
"Although Hobart did see a decline over the quarter, it is likely to be a pullback from the seasonally strong first three months of the year," Powell said.  "In under two years, Hobart has moved from being one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia for tenants to now trailing behind Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.
"Unit rental prices have followed a similar pattern remaining more expensive than Adelaide and Perth, as well as closing the price gap on Brisbane. "These conditions are indicative of the current affordability issues facing Hobart. While supply continues to deplete, the substantial declines in rental listings appear to have eased. As investor activity picks up, we’ve started to see a slight improvement to the deterioration previously seen in listing volumes."
<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/2018/7/17/hobart.jpg" alt="">
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This quarter saw Hobart's "strongest surge in rental prices in the city’s history": Domain

Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<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/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of 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."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

Staff reporter

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