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A new 20-year vision for Pyrmont will shape the waterfront peninsula as an innovative, connected and creative around-the-clock destination, providing much-needed jobs, investment and economic growth, part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan.
Up to 23,000 new jobs and 800,000 sqm of new commercial and office space are forecast in a new draft plan released on July 31, 2020, supported by better transport connectivity to grow a mix of hi-tech, tourism, media and information industries.
Launching the plan, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the NSW Government’s draft Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy and Economic Development Strategy would help map the area’s future.
The strategy considers big moves for transformation such as a potential metro station at Pyrmont as part of the Sydney Metro West project, a new indoor sports and entertainment venue like our own Madison Square Garden, more and better public spaces (including the return of Wentworth Park as local parkland) and the revitalisation of key sites to attract commercial investment.
Mr Stokes added that Pyrmont has always been an extension of the CBD as a bustling hub for a variety of industries, and the draft strategy outlines the latest incarnation in the peninsula’s renewal.
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Mr Stokes said the revitalisation will focus on key sites for renewal, including the existing Sydney Fish Market site at Blackwattle Bay, The Star site at Darling Island, development of Harbourside Shopping Centre, and the UTS Haymarket campus.
“These sites have been identified for revitalisation over the next 20 years and we are keen to ensure that parks, public spaces and the unique character of Pyrmont is protected,” he said.
The Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy and Economic Development Strategy are on public exhibition for community feedback until September 13, 2020.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Pyrmont's 20-year vision released for NSW Government's COVID Recovery Plan

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The Beaconsfield Hub retail centre within the growing Cardinia Shire to Melbourne’s south-east has been listed for sale. 
Located at 52-62 Old Princes Highway, Beaconsfield Hub is a 1,883 sqm convenience-based retail complex anchored by nine specialty retailers. 
Having opened in 2010, the centre last changed hands in 2014 for $7.4 million and has a strong record of 100 per cent occupancy.
The property’s nine, separately titled investments, positioned on a 4,600 sqm Commercial 1-zoned site, will be sold in one line, with the scope for future subdivision and development (STCA). 
The fully-leased complex occupies 135m of street frontage across the Old Princes Highway and Souter Street and is accompanied by on-title parking for 71 cars.
Rorey James, Nic Hage and JJ Heng from CBRE’s Melbourne &amp; Mornington Peninsula Strip Retail Investments team are managing the Expressions of Interest campaign closing on September 3, 2020.
Melbourne’s south-eastern corridor continues to appeal to investors, with CBRE transacting the Arena Shopping Centre, Lakeside Square Shopping Centre, Bunnings Warehouse Clyde North, Woolworths Clyde North, Keysborough Shopping Centre and a Narree Warren Medical Centre in recent years.
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Beaconsfield hub retail centre listed

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The Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH) has launched a sector wide lobbying campaign, Homes Beyond Covid, to raise awareness of the urgent needs of people who have now been temporarily sheltered in response to COVID-19. 
Without urgent action thousands of people who were sleeping rough and have now been temporarily sheltered are at risk of being forced back into homelessness because of a lack of options. 
Throughout winter, the AAEH is calling for collaborative action through the campaign to find permanent housing and support for everyone sleeping rough or in motels placements due to COVID-19.
AAEH chief executive officer David Pearson says that this campaign shows that the scale of homelessness in Australia is both preventable and solvable. 
“In the first eight weeks of this pandemic alone, amongst the communities that the AAEH works with, over 5,000 people who were sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough have been temporarily sheltered,” said Mr Pearson. 
“Given there were 8,200 people sleeping rough at the last census, this represents one of most significant homelessness responses we’ve ever seen in Australia, but as we know this crisis is not over yet. That’s why we need urgent action from governments – homelessness can be solved by policy.” 
The campaign coincides with the organisation’s 7-point policy plan and Submission to the Inquiry into the Homelessness in Australia and start of Inquiry hearings in Canberra to not just recover from COVID-19 but to ensure we see an end to rough sleeping homelessness. 
AAEH’s chair Karyn Walsh says that homelessness is as much a health policy issue as it is infrastructure and social services.
“People sleeping rough are an incredibly vulnerable health population, and if they get COVID-19 it will not just be bad for community transmission, it would be fatal for many of them. The best prescription we can provide for people sleeping rough as we recover from this health crisis is housing with support or simply a home – not a hotel room,” said Ms Walsh. 
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Australian Alliance to End Homelessness launch lobbying campaign

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Belle Property continues its expansion across regional New South Wales, opening a new office in Braidwood led by  Principal, Kelly Allen.
CEO of Belle Property, Peter Hanscomb said that lifestyle-first, regional areas are a major focus for the brand’s growth strategy.
“Kelly has been in real estate for more than 20 years and working in Braidwood since 2013. She is an award-winning agent and Principal and the ideal fit to launch the brand into the Braidwood area,” said Peter.  
Kelly (pictured above) was attracted to the Belle Property brand for its marketing.
Braidwood, which is a heritage listed town located around an hour from Canberra and 45 minutes from the coast, has seen a major increase in real estate activity since COVID-19 restrictions loosened in New South Wales. 
Belle Property Braidwood will be opening with Kelly at the helm, alongside Business Manager, Tim Allen, and an assistant agent. 
Belle Property Braidwood is located at 78 Wallace Street, Braidwood. 
 
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Belle Property expands to Braidwood

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Construction employs about 340,000 people across Victoria, but with new measures limiting staff to 25 per cent on multi-storey construction projects, concerns have been raised.
According to new restrictions, high-rise Melbourne sites can only function with one-quarter of normal employees on-site and workers can only work at one site during stage four restrictions.
The rules put 75 per cent of Melbourne’s 220,000 construction jobs at risk, said Kerry Barwise, consulting economist for the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) industry body.
It will also halt work for specialists and skilled tradespeople, who work across several sites.
Currently 735 of Victoria’s 832 largest construction projects are undertaken in Greater Melbourne, placing strains on supply chains and pressures on cash-flow.
ACIF criticised the decision, noting that inflexible, hard rules were not the answer.
"They’re not necessarily enhancing safety, but they’re definitely limiting the capacity to do the job.” Barwise said.
“They should take better account of the risk management strategies which are being applied."
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New COVID-19 restrictions place pressure on Victoria's construction industry

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More than 7.4 million consumers are now connected to the National Broadband Network after the activation of 383,257 new services in the three months to 30 June, 2020.
The ACCC’s Wholesale Market Indicators Report released today shows more than 255,000 households signed up to 50Mbps NBN plan, with almost 5 million customers on higher speed plans of 50Mbps and above by the end of June.
There was also an 11.9 per cent jump in the uptake of the higher speed 100Mbps plans, with 9.1 per cent of households now subscribing to a 100Mbps plan.
“Many more households have been at home during the day during the COVID-19 pandemic and have likely chosen higher speed plans to accommodate increased broadband use whether it be for work, entertainment or even for their children to attend school during the lockdown,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.
“Given the high demand for high-speed broadband during March to June in particular, we are fortunate that the NBN rollout is largely completed, as it has become an increasingly essential service for people to stay connected.”
The number of entry-level 12Mbps services decreased by 3.7 per cent over the quarter, while 25Mbps services increased by 7.4 per cent. There were more than 2.3 million households on 12Mbps and 25Mbps plans as at the end of June.
“It is more important than ever that consumers have the right plan in place to ensure they are able to access broadband services,” Mr Sims said.
The March 2020 quarterly report showed available NBN bandwidth per user jumped by 31 per cent, following NBN Co’s boost of network capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The additional network capacity offered by NBN Co at the outset of COVID-19 restrictions in March has been welcomed by the retail service providers, and has been an important factor in ensuring consumers have sufficient network capacity to meet their work, educational and entertainment needs during the pandemic,” Mr Sims said.
NBN Co’s temporary offer of additional 40 per cent capacity to retail service providers (RSPs) remained in place this quarter and total Connectivity Virtual Circuit (CVC), that is, the bandwidth acquired by RSPs, grew by a further 3.5 per cent to 18.4Tbps. CVC per user remained fairly stable, falling slightly over the June quarter, from 2.52Mbps to 2.47Mbps.
Telstra continues to have the highest market share, with 46.4 per cent of all services, down slightly on last quarter; both TPG and Optus increased their share slightly over the quarter to 22.3 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively.
Smaller RSPs increased their share of the NBN wholesale market this quarter, from 8.1 per cent to 8.8 per cent. This group was led by Aussie Broadband and Vodafone, with 3.5 per cent and 2 per cent of all connections respectively.
There continue to be 10 wholesale access seeker groups acquiring services directly from NBN Co at all 121 POIs, and 11 or more access seeker groups connected at 119 of the POIs.
In May 2020, NBN Co also introduced a new set of premium products, branded as “Home Fast” up to 100/20Mbps; “Home superfast 250/25Mbps; and “Home Ultrafast” at least 500/50Mbps.
“The ACCC welcomes these new options being made available for consumers for whom speed is important. The availability of these new plans broadens the scope of retail offers, which will boost competition in the retail market,” Mr Sims said.
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Increase in higher speed NBN plan signups during COVID-19: ACCC

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International architecture firms Fender Katsalidis and Skidmore Owings &amp; Merrill (SOM) have won the global design competition for Central Place Sydney, a $2.5 billion commercial development underpinning Sydney CBD’s Tech Central.
The project to be delivered by Dexus and Frasers Property Australia will complement the City of Sydney’s proposal to create a third new major civic square.
The design for Central Place Sydney features two commercial towers at 37 and 39 levels and a landmark sculptural building which will activate the precinct that connects Railway Square, Central Station and the community beyond.
<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/2020/8/13/Sydney%20Central%202.jpg" alt="">
The project, part of Tech Central, will encompass approximately 150,000 square metres of office and retail space.
Central Place Sydney’s sculptural building, at the southern edge of Henry Deane Plaza, is proposed to feature curved sandstone forms that respond to the different urban orientations.
Fender Katsalidis design director Mark Curzon said, "the sculptural towers are shaped by the movement and civic connections at ground level and extend vertically into a ‘fine-grained’ skyline, orientated to address key vistas in a gateway configuration."
"The breathing buildings, with 100 per cent renewable energy, optimise their environmental footprints, mitigate wind effects and harvest natural daylight whilst a computer controlled double skin façade will mitigate direct sunlight and minimise heat gain," he added.
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$2.5 billion Central Place Sydney design unveiled

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NAB has cut the rate on its Base Variable Rate Special Offer for investors to bring the rate down to 3.09% for principal and interest loan repayments and 3.29% for interest only repayments.
These rates are well below the average variable rate investors say they are paying, with a recent Canstar survey finding investors are paying an average rate of 4.06%.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/8/13/NAB%20Investor%20Loan%20rates.JPG" alt="">
Canstar research shows that 16 lenders made cuts to 38 investment variable rates since July 1.
It comes as the latest ABS Lending Indicators data released last week pointed to a 8.1% rise in the value of new loan commitments to investors in June, but still down 6.1% on June 2019.
Canstar’s finance expert, Steve Mickenbecker said this is a sign that the banks are looking to entice investors.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/8/13/NAB%20Investor%20Loan%20rates%20BIG%204.JPG" alt="">
“The housing market has been in the doldrums and new lending to investors in particular is even lagging the owner occupied market, leaving lenders competing hard for the quality business that is available,” said Mickenbecker.
“With new investment demand flat, the race is on for market share of the refinance market, and investors are a tried and tested group being targeted by lenders."
“With investors saying they are paying rates around 4.06%, it’s time they looked at refinancing. The lowest variable rate in the market for investors right now is almost 1.5% lower at 2.59% and the lowest fixed rate is down to 2.29%,” he concluded.
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NAB cuts investment loan rates to lowest in Big 4

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The Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn has signalled the country's biggest lenders is still assuming there will be a drop in house prices of up to 12 per cent.
It is premised on rising unemployment, under-employment and a slower economic recovery.
The forecast is dated back to May when its worse case scenario were falls up to 32 percent.
This week Comyn said the property market had so far been more resilient than it expected a few months ago, with prices only drifting slightly lower.
He noted falling rents had put pressure on house prices especially in inner-city suburbs.
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1597234739583" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1597234739583" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">"I think a reduction ... in the order of 10 to 12 per cent is still a reasonable assumption," said Comyn.
"We do have an expectation that in some areas, particularly in inner-city areas, there has been downward pressure on rental yields, so we think that that’s going to weigh on house prices."
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10 to 12 percent house price drop is still likely: CBA's Matt Comyn

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CBA currently has deferred repayments on 135,000, or eight per cent, of its home loans.
It covers $48 billion of loans.
It was 154,00 home loan deferrals at the COVID-19 peak.
There were 250,000 deferred loans all up, as 15 per cent of its business loans are also deferred totalling $14 billion in deferrals.
<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/2020/8/12/CBA%20loan%20make-up.jpg" alt="">
But its recent home lending has proved resilient, rising by 1.3 times the average of the system, or $18.4 billion over the year.
There was $100 billion in new home lending, with just 25 percent going to investors.
It equated to four per cent volume growth.
The average home loan was at a record $352,000, up from $317,000 a year ago.
Home loan arrears sit at low levels.
Some 40 percent of CBA borrowers are one year or more in advance in their payments.
<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/2020/8/12/CBA%20arrears.jpg" alt="">
The portfolio LVR remained stable.
It advised 70 percent of its book originated under tighter lending standards adopted in 2016.
The book has split 68 percent with owner occupiers; 30 percent investors and 2 percent with a line of credit.
Some 16 percent are on interest only loans, down from 22 percent a year ago.
Revenue was up two per cent over the year to $23.9 billion after CBA was flooded with new deposits, with deposits now providing 74 per cent of total funding, up from 69 per cent over the past year.
"We anticipate that lower credit growth and low interest rates will continue to put pressure on our revenue, requiring a focus on performance, efficiency and capital allocation," the CBA CEO Matt Comyn said.
"Despite the challenging environment, operational performance in the business remains strong. Combined with our strong balance sheet and capital position, this enables us to continue supporting customers and the economy."
Commonwealth Bank has announced an 11.3 per cent drop in full-year cash profit to $7.3 billion as it ramped up provisions against loan losses. 
It will pay a 98¢ final dividend.
The full-year dividend of $2.98 per share, fully-franked, is down 31 per cent on 2019.
Analysts had been expecting a final dividend of 92¢ cents, the lowest final dividend since 2006.
CBA’s shares have been trading at 6.5 per cent lower so far this year. 
The other banking majors will provide investors third-quarter updates over the coming week.
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CBA boosts home loan lending as home loans hits record $352,000

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

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

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

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

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

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

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

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

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