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A strata-titled ground floor showroom space in South Yarra’s booming Forrest Hill precinct has sold for $2.275 million on a sharp 3.1% yield.
The 6 Almeida Crescent property is leased to South Yarra Art House Gallery, and returns $70,000 per annum plus outgoings and GST.
The 290 sqm property forms part of a low-rise two-storey development encompassing seven units, which sits on an 845 sqm site.
It is located in the Forrest Hill precinct that is home to nearly 4,000 residents and has seen around $2 billion worth of construction take place, with upcoming developments including the 50-storey Capitol Grand development on the corner of Toorak Road, and the 661 Chapel Street development just nearby the Almeida Crescent site.
Fitzroys agent Chris Kombi sold the property.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Forrest Hill strata showroom sells on a sharp 3.1% yield

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Industrial units in a complex at Murwillumbah in far north coast NSW have been sold by Ray White Commercial for $1 million.
Units 1 &amp; 2 at 5 Hayley Place, Murwillumbah, Burringbar, were sold off-market to a private buyer by Darren Jones and Assi Dadon of Ray White Commercial on behalf of a private owner.
Jones said the vacant properties had easy access to the Tweed Valley Way.
“These high clearance warehouse buildings are in a quiet location and offered three entry doors as well as a substantial hardstand area at the rear,” he said.
Unit 1 is a 450 sqm warehouse. Unit 2 also has a floor area of 450 sqm with an extra 150 sqm of offices or liveable space at the front.
The warehouses also offered three phase power and plenty of onsite parking.
Murwillumbah is located on the Tweed River and is in one of the fastest growing regional areas of NSW and is well-supported with established commercial and service infrastructure, the agents said.
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Murwillumbah industrial units sold for $1 million

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Tech firms in Sydney's City Fringe are the common tenants for the office market, according to Colliers International’s latest Metro Office report.
“Creative industries (and increasingly, tech firms) continue to underpin the City Fringe office market, with these tenant types seeking out space in character/heritage buildings in suburbs such as Pyrmont, Ultimo &amp; Surry Hills.
"Creative industry tenants have been able to collaborate with owners regarding specific fit-out options and in some cases minor refurbishments have taken place – such as exposing ceilings - in order to add a contemporary and modern feel,” the report stated.
However, Colliers says supply is constrained and competition and demand is rising.
“We are seeing consistent demand and increasing competition, as supply is extremely constrained.
"Increased rental levels and a judgement call by owners on the duration of favourable conditions in the residential market are seeing more consideration of retaining properties in office use, rather than the prevalent change of use to residential which has dominated the market in the last few years,” the report warned.
Colliers says that the expansion of the digital and creative industries of late has further constrained supply, leading to a substantial increase in rents over the last 12 months.
“A Grade net face and net effective rents have grown 19.3 per cent and 30.7 per cent respectively with B Grade increasing 9.4 per cent and 19.5 per cent respectively.
"As competition for space has increased, incentives have declined, with A Grade falling three percentage points to 19 per cent and B Grade falling five percentage points to 16 per cent.
"Few examples of incentives in the 20 per cent plus bracket now exist, and we forecast more downward pressure on incentives, with examples already emerging of sub 10 per cent in some cases
"Google has extended their lease to 2021 at Workplace 6 in Pyrmont and confirmed take up of an additional 6,000 sqm of ex-Accenture space in the same building.
"This comes as recent news of Google abandoning plans to move to White Bay Power Station, citing infrastructure shortfalls,” the report stated.
Low vacancy rates is resulting in limited whole floor or building reports, Colliers says.
“Due to low vacancy rates, there is limited whole floor or whole building evidence to report.
"However, we note that our fringe leasing team is currently finalising over 5,000 sqm of leasing transactions in this precinct contributing to the low vacancy environment,” the report commented.
"A 88 sqm office at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-surry+hills-500469903">88 Foveaux Street</a>, Surry Hills (above) has been listed for $920,000.
"Similarly, an 82 sqm office at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-ultimo-502352182">101/330 Wattle Street</a>, Ultimo (below) has been listed for $390,000.
<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/2017/05/02/101330%20Wattle%20Street.jpg" alt="">
A 29 sqm office at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-surry+hills-502265830">214/400-410 Elizabeth Street</a>, Surry Hills (below) was recently sold in March this year.
<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/2017/05/02/214400-410%20Elizabeth%20Street.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a 136 sqm office at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-pyrmont-502249426">95/26-32 Pirrama Road</a>, Pyrmont (below) was recently sold in April this year for $1.5 million.
<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/2017/05/02/9526-32%20Pirrama%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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Tech firms are the common office tenants in Sydney's city fringes: Colliers

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From a demand perspective, Melbourne's Inner East is just as highly sought after as the City Fringe market, however, the opportunities for tenants to move around are limited, according to Colliers International’s latest Metro Office report.
“While our vacancy rate has increased in the six months to March 2017, from 4.15 per cent to 6.3 per cent, a number of the larger tenancies that have recently become vacant are currently in Heads of Agreement (HOA) stage, thus we expect the vacancy rate to quickly fall down again to 5.9 per cent by September 2017, and further to 4.7 per cent by this time next year," said the report.
One of the larger vacancies to be leased in late 2016 was 2 Luton Lane (above) to Swinburne University. This was a 5,660 sqm deal which was completed before the space even became vacant, hence is not reflected in our net absorption figures, Colliers said.
"Orora also renewed 4,000 sqm of space at 109 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Again, this is a large tenant commitment to the Inner East market that is not reflected in net absorption,” the report stated.
Rents in the Inner East continue to increase despite increasing vacancy rates, Colliers says.
“Rents continued to increase in the Inner East, despite the increase in the vacancy rate, as the underlying demand not reflected in the figures has pushed landlords to increase face rents and reduce incentives.
"Face rents grew by 5.6 per cent in the year to March 2017, and coupled with a decline in average incentives from 18 per cent to 15 per cent, the overall increase in effective rents was 9.1 per cent.
"We are forecasting very similar (nine per cent) effective rental growth over the next 12 months, as continued tenant demand and no supply constrain tenant options.
"Despite good tenant demand in the Inner East, there is only one development in the pipeline for this precinct, following the completion of Vicinity’s new 13,650 sqm building adjacent to the shopping centre,” the report said.
Colliers says that net absorption will remain below averages in the long term.
A new development at 139-155 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell is expected to add 8,000 sqm of supply in late 2018.
Most development sites in the Inner East are still proposed as residential or student accommodation projects.
"For this reason, we expect that net absorption will remain below long-term averages over the next few years, as tenants are forced to look to other markets for accommodation.
"This is the continuation of a recent trend we have been seeing in the Inner East, which in the five years to 2015 absorbed an average of 15,000 sqm of space each year,” the report says.
Yields have compressed similar to the City Fringe market in Melbourne, Colliers says.
Since 2015, only 3,000 sqm of space has been absorbed on average in this precinct, a stark illustration of supply constraints impacting tenant activity.
A total of $240 million of commercial property was transacted over 2016, with Charter Hall’s $140.5 million purchase of a 50 per cent interest in 800 Toorak Rd, Hawthorn East accounting for the bulk of the transaction volume figure.
"Yields have compressed in line with the City Fringe market, at 100bps to average six per cent for A Grade assets as at March 2017,” the report stated.
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Melbourne's Inner East office market has a supply squeeze: Colliers

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A property site where a tourism project had been planned and located at the gateway to the town of Healesville in Yarra Valley has been listed for sale. 
The site at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-healesville-201752606" target="_blank">11 Maroondah Highway, Healesville</a> is expected to fetch at least $8.8 million.
The 101 acre site earlier had concept plans prepared for a Healesville Mandarin Tourism Project and was rezoned to Special Use Zone Schedule 2 to encourage the development of a tourist precinct. 
The original concept plans allowed for hotel/motel accommodation and self-contained villas, convention facilities including meeting rooms, restaurant and chapel, Chinese landscaped gardens and associated facilities including shops and car parking.
<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/2017/05/22/Healesville2.jpg" alt="">
The land has views to nearby mountain ranges, a large dam, cleared and undulating paddocks.
The site is close to the township, wineries and the renowned Healesville Sanctuary where visitors can watch Australian wildlife.
The listing agent is Peter Nunn of Barry Plant.
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Healesville site with plans for tourism project listed for $8.8 million

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Commercial property sales rose by value in the last quarter, according to CoreLogic’s latest Wellington Cityscope.
The property data firm says that for the three months to April 2017, there were 12 sales at a total value of $161.8 million, compared to 19 sales at a total value of $111 million for the previous quarter.
The yearly figures show that both the number of sales and the total sales value have decreased considerably.
For the 12 months to April 2017, there were 60 sales at a total value of $393.9 million, compared to 97 sales at a total value of $666.7 million for the previous 12 months.
The table below shows sales recorded for the past eight updates of Wellington Cityscope.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/28/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-28%20at%201.36.06%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/04/28/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-28%20at%201.36.06%20pm.jpg" alt="">
Notable sales in the April 2017 update of Wellington Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>The 125-year leasehold of The PwC Centre Site 10 development at 10 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, a development site at earthworks stage in April 2017, which was to have been a four-storey office building with typical floor plates of 2,000 and basement car parking with ground level retail, which sold for $89.2 million;</li>
<li>89 The Terrace and Lambton Square &amp; Eatery, at 89 The Terrace, Wellington Central, a 14-level building with ground floor retail and a net lettable area of 16,920 sqm, which sold for $57 million and</li>
<li>203-209 Willis Street, Te Aro, a nine-storey office building with basement parking for 22 cars and a building area of 4,770 sqm on a site area of 1,170 sqm, which sold for $5.6 million.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/28/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-28%20at%201.36.41%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/04/28/Screen%20Shot%202017-04-28%20at%201.36.41%20pm.jpg" alt="">
Properties listed as for sale in the April 2017 update of Wellington Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>191-195 Cuba Street, Te Aro, a three-storey building with shops on the ground floor and galleries above, available through Bayleys Wellington;</li>
<li>204-210 Willis Street, Wellington Central, a six-storey office building, including ground and mezzanine floors, with retail on the ground floor, offices above, and 10 car spaces to the rear, available through CBRE and</li>
<li>Champerelle Building, 6 Edward Street, Te Aro, a three-storey former factory/warehouse built in 1905 with upper levels now being residential apartments, available through Bayleys Wellington.</li>
</ul>
Leasing opportunities listed in the April 2017 update of Wellington Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>Eagle Technology House, at 135 Victoria Street, Te Aro, an 11-storey office building comprising retail on the ground floor, first floor parking for 33 cars and nine office floors, which has office space of 5,000 sqm available through CBRE;</li>
<li>Harbour City Tower and Shopping Centre, at 179-193 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, an eight-storey office to Lambton Quay with four storeys to Brandon and Panama Streets and car parking in Harbour City Car Park, which has office space up to 4,755 sqm available through Bayleys Wellington.</li>
<li>MWH House, at 123 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, a four-storey office building with parking for 23 cars has levels 1, 2 and 3 available through Colliers International.</li>
</ul>
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Wellington, New Zealand commercial sales rose in quarter to April: Cityscope

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The historic Southern Highlands pub and hotel The Briars has been listed for sale.
It reportedly could fetch more than $12 million.
The NSW Southern Highlands' trophy property, the Briars Country Lodge and Historic Inn near Bowral, has been listed for sale by its owners the Duffy family.
It was built in 1845 as the Royal Oak Inn.
The Georgian-style property became a country hotel with the addition of 31 guest suites, a guest lounge and lakeside conservatory in the 1980s.
Situated on 3.8 hectares off Moss Vale Road, the Briars is currently operated by Dawn Strauss of Blanch Street Investments and returns $889,000 in net rent per annum with a lease in place until 2024. 
The last reported sale was in 1997 when it sold for $4.7 million at auction by a consortium of wealthy Sydney Eastern Suburbs families that included the Myersons, Solomons and Falks.
The Briars is being marketed by Gerry Quinlan of Manenti Quinlan &amp; Associates Pty Limited along with Cooper Hotel Brokers who are expecting The Briars to sell on a yield of about 7 percent. 
 
 
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Southern Highlands pub The Briars listed for sale with expectations above $12 million

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Sydney's Inner West had the highest weekend auction clearance rate, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that out of the 72 auctions in the Inner West 88.9% were successfully cleared.
This is followed by the North Sydney and Hornsby and Sutherland with 88.6% and the City and Inner South and Eastern Suburbs with 88%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-22%20at%2010.57.20%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-22%20at%2010.57.20%20am.jpg" alt="">
The South West region had the lowest auction clearance rate with only 46.2% of its 52 auctions cleared.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-burwood-125293794">15 Appian Way</a>, Burwood (above) was sold for $4.35 million.
Similarly a three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-russell+lea-125315126">11 Rowley Road</a>, Russell Lea (below) was sold for $2.35 million.
<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/2017/05/22/11%20Rowley%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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Inner West Sydney scores 88% weekend auction clearance rate: CoreLogic

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The Outer East region of Melbourne scored the highest weekend auction clearance rate, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that out of the 98 auctions in the Outer East region 87.8% resulted in a successful outcome.
This is followed by the North East with 81.7% and North West with 81%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-22%20at%2010.57.30%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-22%20at%2010.57.30%20am.jpg" alt="">
The West region had the lowest clearance rate with only 74.2% of its auctions cleared.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-malvern+east-125302082">2 Rotherwood Drive</a>, Malvern East (above) was sold for $1,715,157.
Similarly a three bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-ashwood-125297030">2/5 Parkhill Drive</a>, Ashwood (below) was sold for $890,000.
<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/2017/05/22/2_5%20Parkhill%20Drive.jpg" alt="">
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Outer East Melbourne region scores 87% weekend auction success rate: CoreLogic

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The Hunter region had the highest weekend auction clearance rate, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that out of the 28 auctions in the Hunter region 85.7% resulted in a successful outcome.
This was followed by Geelong with 79% and Wollongong with 78.6%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-22%20at%2010.57.40%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/05/22/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-22%20at%2010.57.40%20am.jpg" alt="">
The Sunshine Coast region had the lowest auction clearance rate with only 33.3% of its 12 auctions cleared.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-merewether+heights-125356934">200 Scenic Drive</a>, Merewether Heights (above) has been sold for $1.375 million.
Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-the+hill-125320898">3 Barker Street</a>, The Hill (below) was sold for $1.775 million.
<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/2017/05/22/3%20Barker%20Street.jpg" alt="">
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Hunter region scores 85% weekend auction clearance rate: CoreLogic

Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Staff reporter

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