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Vacancy rates edged higher across most capital cities in April but still reflect a tight rental markets across Australia, according to data released by SQM Research.
The number of national residential vacancies rose to 76,959 rental homes, giving an overall vacancy rate of 2.4 percent, up modestly from 2.3 percent in March 2017.
In Melbourne and Sydney, vacancy rates sat at 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively, a slight retracement from March’s low levels.
Canberra edged off a five-year low with a rise from 0.8 percent to 1.0 percent, while the highest vacancy rate remained Perth with a jump to 4.9 percent. The vacancy rate only fell in Darwin to 3.4 percent while Hobart claimed the lowest rate at 0.6 percent.
“While the rise in vacancy rates may give tenants a slight reprieve, the trend is still up for asking rents in Sydney and Melbourne, to the point where they are unaffordable for many people,” commented Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research.
We are nowhere near to seeing any signs of an oversupply of units in either inner-city unit market,” Christopher said.
Asking rents
Despite a higher vacancy rate, asking rents edged higher in Melbourne over the month to May 12, up by 0.3 percent for units and 0.2 percent for houses, giving annual price rises of 4.7 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively. 
In Canberra too, growth in asking rents is high, at an annual pace of 9.3 percent for houses and 6.0 percent for units.
Annually, asking rents for houses has moderated in Sydney to 2.9 percent for houses and 3.2 percent for units, with asking rents for houses down by 0.6 percent over the month.
However, the asking rent for a three-bedroom house in Sydney now sits at a lofty $743 while for units it sits at $521, an unaffordable level for many of the city’s inhabitants on lower incomes.
In contrast, Darwin asking rents continued to fall, down 3.4 percent for houses over the month, while unit rents were down 1.1 percent. Perth has again posted the largest yearly declines, with unit asking rents down 9.4 percent and house rents down 7.5 percent.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

National vacancy rates rise modestly in April

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Investors and developers looking to capitalise on Sydney's residential boom are now turning to townhouses as the product of choice.
The trend has emerged amid the state government's push to develop the 'missing middle' of NSW's housing sector. 
According to CBRE Metropolitan Investment team manager Xavier Rahme, investor demand had shifted over the past nine months from apartment development sites to those that could accommodate townhouse projects.
“Sydney's housing sector is significantly undersupplied in the middle market, which is driving investors and developers to secure parcels that can capitalise on this untapped area of the market,” Rahme explained.
“The NSW Government's recently launched Missing Middle Design Competition highlights the emphasis on this important sector of the market – with a shift away from apartments to medium density development,” he said.
Rahme cited the recent slowdown in growth of the residential unit market as the reason developer interest has spiked in townhouse development opportunities.
“Interest remains strong in apartment sites in blue-chip locations within 10-15km of the Sydney CBD and close proximity to train stations,” he said.
CBRE has transacted more than $48 million across five recent property sales throughout metropolitan Sydney, highlighting the increased demand for developable townhouse stock.
In Lindfield, a 2,719 sqm property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/project/the-grove-lindfield-600015534" target="_blank">18-20 Bent Street</a> sold for $13 million. The property, which was purchased by a foreign buyer, has development approval for 16 townhouses.
A 1,006 sqm property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-burwood-501862494" target="_blank">66-70 Stanley Street</a> in Burwood with development approval for 10 townhouses recently sold for $6 million, while in Turramurra a site earmarked for 15 townhouses sold for $8.05 million.
Other recent transactions include an undisclosed sale of a 10,005 sqm parcel at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/21-new-north-rocks-rd-north-rocks-nsw-2151" target="_blank">221 North Rocks Road</a> in North Rocks. The property has development approval for 50 houses.
“These recent townhouse development site sales demonstrate the strength in demand from developers for this type of stock, which is driven by the vigorous demand for 'missing middle' housing across Sydney,” Rahme added.
“Market feedback has indicated that banks and financial institutions are more enticed to lend on lower risk assets including townhouse developments, where pre-sales rates are particularly buoyant.”
 
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CBRE says townhouse site sales lift as focus shifts to Sydney's middle market

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One of Byron Bay’s largest residential subdivisions has achieved record prices.
Around two thirds have been sold as the final stage hits the market.
Developed by Unison Projects, Seacliffs Byron Bay is a rainforest fringed enclave.
Some 73 per cent of the estate is maintained as a nature reserve and a wildlife corridor for native animals.
The $20 million Seacliffs Byron Bay development features 34 elevated lots within a 16 hectare eco-friendly hinterland estate.
Some come with ocean views.
Unison Projects founder Jonathan Levy remarked that stage one of 11 completed lots on Hayters Drive, Suffolk Park, sold out quickly.
He added one had since achieved a record house price for the suburb.
Additionally, seven of the second stage of eight lots have been sold, with five of the 16 lots in the third and final stage also already traded.
“The response to Seacliffs has been fantastic particularly from the local market as most of our buyers were already living in the Byron Bay region,” Levy said.
“The project has proven that Byron buyers are back.”
McGrath agent Nick Dunn added that stage three home lot sites range from 616 sqm to 1156 sqm.
The prices are between $600,000 and $660,000, set just a few minutes to Tallow Beach and the Suffolk Park shops, and only eight minutes to the heart of Byron Bay.
“Seacliffs is where the hinterland meets the sea,” Levy said.
 
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Final stage of Byron Bay development Seacliffs hits market

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A luxurious 10th-floor penthouse designed by Fender Katsalidis in Richmond, Victoria has been listed for sale, with a price guide of $4.7 million to $5.1 million.
The residence at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-richmond-125199822" target="_blank">1004/1 Dyer Street</a> represents the final apartment for sale within Riverlee Group development, Jaques.
Located in the heart of Richmond, the building is within walking distance to cafes, restaurants, boutiques and transport. The median sales price for houses in Richmond is $1.22 million.
The three bedroom apartment showcases 270 degree views, and is fitted with ensuites, an entertainer's kitchen with European appliances, open-plan living areas and a bar. 
Other highlights include 17.5 sqm of night-lit terraces designed for al fresco entertaining, a rooftop deck, home-office, wine-room, gym and resident's lounge.
Designer touches such as auto-blinds, marble, Corian and Oak finishes, powder room, cloak room, high ceilings and marble laundry are scattered throughout.
Kay &amp; Burton agent Daniel Bradd was taking expressions of interest until 5pm yesterday.
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Luxury Richmond penthouse listed

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A tranquil three bedroom beachside cottage in Byron Bay suburb Suffolk Park has been listed for sale, with a price guide of $1.45 million.
The 581 sqm residence at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-suffolk+park-124368558" target="_blank">10 Glasgow Street</a> backs onto a nature reserve and is surrounded by tropical gardens. The home is positioned only 600 metres to Tallow Beach, and only 150 metres from shops and restaurants.
Suffolk Park is a popular destination for holidaymakers, and is located five kilometres south of Byron Bay. The area attracts a median house price of $987,000.
The renovated and luxurious property offers a modern kitchen, open plan living and dining areas, and two well appointed bathrooms.
Its exterior features an outdoor terrace, 7 metre in-ground pool, separate extra bedroom, and a single carport.
A four bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-suffolk+park-125142286" target="_blank">68 Brandon Street</a> traded for $1.8 million in May 2017.
A two bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-nsw-suffolk+park-124752362" target="_blank">4/55 Brandon Street</a> was also sold for $860,000 in May 2017.
The property is offered through Byron Bay Property Sales.
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Suffolk Park beachside cottage listed

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There are no suburbs that are at the peak of the market for the office market, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The property valuation firm says that this shows that there has been no change in the office market since last month.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-03%20at%201.20.28%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/2017/05/03/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-03%20at%201.20.28%20pm.jpg" alt="">
Melbourne and Coffs Harbour continues to be approaching the peak of its market with Adelaide, Darwin, South East NSW, Townsville and Wide Bay at the bottom of the market.
Meanwhile Alice Springs, Gippsland, Newcastle and Toowoomba’s office market is starting to decline.
Last month Property Observer reported on the office market and that several suburbs are on the way to the top.
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No changes in office property market clock: May HTW clock

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A retail property in Carnegie, Melbourne, has sold for $3.35 million.
The 66 Koornang Road property comprises a land area of 212 square metres and a building area of 150 square metres is leased to a Vietnamese restaurant trading as Pho 66.
The lease returns $84,872 per annum plus outgoings and GST and the sale reflected a yield of 2.53 percent.
Fitzroys agents Chris Kombi and Chris James said the sale reflected a land rate of $15,800 per square metre.
Kombi said the property attracted more than 150 buyer enquiries and had seven bidders at auction.
"The property is located just metres from the new Carnegie Railway Station currently under construction, which is part of the state government's $5 billion level crossing removal initiative and due for completion in 2017,” Kombi said.
"The property’s future value is underpinned by a rapidly growing residential catchment with a major transformation currently underway within the Koornang Road Activity Centre with a number of high rise residential developments completed nearby and approximately 15 others in various stages of planning and development."
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Fierce bidding for Carnegie Vietnamese restaurant

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A 7-Eleven in Melbourne’s Heathmont is up for grabs at auction on May 18 through Colliers with expectations of more than $2.5million.
The convenience store on the corner of Canterbury Road and Campbell Street is fully leased to the 7-Eleven franchise on a 10-year term until July 2021, with one five-year option to renew.
The 1,091 sqm property makes a rental income of about $115,755.30 per annum, with an annual increase of three per cent.
He said she had already received strong interest from Melbourne-based investors wanting to shift their focus to commercial assets.
The listing agents are Colliers International’s Jeremy Gruzewski, Dorothy He and Ben Baines. 
“The retail property market in Melbourne’s outer-eastern suburbs has traditionally been viewed as a natural fit for many local investors, who look for secure and consistent investment returns,” said Dorothy He.
“With historically low interest rates and a lack of attractive alternate options, yield-chasers are still looking favourably into commercial properties that deliver stable income streams.”
Developers had also expressed interest in the property, with the initial intention to landbank and the long-term view to redevelop.
“Its general residential zoning is being proposed for change into mixed-use zoning under the Heathmont Neighbourhood Activity Centre Structure Plan, which is expected to open up wider possibilities,” she said.
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7-Eleven in Melbourne's Heathmont goes to auction

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Sam Arnaout has emerged as the buyer of the iconic vineyard and winery Dalwood Estate near Branxton.
The boss of Iris Capital paid $3 million plus for the 104 hectare property that fronts the Hunter River.
Established in the 1800s, the property with sandstone winery buildings and a concert amphitheatre is accredited as among the Hunter Valley's oldest wineries.
It was the site of some of the first vines planted in the colony by George Wyndham who also built the now heritage listed Dalwood House.
Pernod Ricard closed the tourism facilities known as Wyndham Estate in October 2014, citing commercial reasons for their decision.
Another purchase last year came when Arnaout bought the prized Sweetwater estate at Pokolbin. It's wines are now served at the Fountain Cafe.
The 48 hectare Pokolbin property came with initial hopes of $30 million, but $12 million was its last price guidance.
It produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz on 16 hectares. 
Arnaout bought the Kirby family Hungerford Hill boutique winery for $4.4 million.
He also owns 1.66 hectares of prime real estate in Newcastle's Hunter Street mall.
Arnaout, who entered the hotel industry in 1995, has a whole-floor penthouse in the Bennelong apartment complex which was bought from Margaret Maloney, the widow of the hotelier Cyril Maloney for $18 million in 2015.
Iris Capital owns expanded site, The Bourbon in Potts Point. 
The king of the emerging Kings Cross residential rejuvenation, has been quietly amassing a huge building site at Kings Cross's northern end around his Bourbon Hotel premises.
His Kings Cross purchases now total $66 million.
This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Sam Arnaout revealed as Dalwood Estate winery buyer

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A two-storey building adjoining North Brighton Train Station has sold under the hammer for $2,255,000.
The 206 square metre site comprises a ground floor café and first floor office accommodation.
The property is zoned commercial 1 and sold on a sharp 3.3 percent yield with a new lease to the café Too Many Chiefs, with other tenancies consisting of first floor offices, and external signage.
The site has a frontage of greater than 50 metres to North Brighton Train Station, and a public car park at rear.
Fitzroys division director Mark Talbot said that the sale set a Bay Street, Brighton record for a single-front property on Bay Street.
Talbot said there was fierce competition amongst three bidders who were keen to capitalise on the property’s positioning on the Brighton shopping strip.
“The precinct is surrounded by an established residential community that is slated for further population growth, and has a number of top-class education facilities nearby,” he said.
Talbot said the vendor was Realgrade Pty Ltd, with the buyer a local investor.
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Bay Street, Brighton cafe sells under the hammer

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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