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Having the best and most up-to-date research findings delivered by AHURI’s eight leading university research partners will enhance decision making that effects many of the most vulnerable Australians, as well as supporting the economic recovery from the crisis, according to Adrian Harrington, Chair of AHURI. 
The research, which will be fast tracked to deliver findings in the second half of 2020 examines topics across the housing continuum including: 
After the pandemic, can building homes rebuild Australia? 
By freezing the economy and social interactions, Australia has shown great success in reducing the spread of the virus, however it has come at a huge cost to employment.
The housing industry has been widely promoted as an ideal mechanism for delivering economic stimulus, but how should does it actually have the capacity to deliver economic stimulus in periods of economic crisis and what forms should such response take? 
Renting in the time of COVID-19: understanding the impacts.
The economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has placed many in the rental market at risk; they face uncertainty, tenure insecurity and financial hardship.
Guided by the needs of policy, this project rapidly generates a nationwide dataset and essential reporting on the impact of COVID-19 on tenants. 
Housing affordability stress during COVID-19
This examines the impacts of COVID-19 on housing affordability stress (i.e. paying more than 30 per cent of income for housing) for home buyers and tenants across different housing types and household configurations. 
Other projects will consider pathways to regional recovery, understanding the impacts of policy responses to the pandemic, impacts on landlords as well as tenants, and impacts on those in marginal housing settings. 
"This is the first time that AHURI has funded rapid research projects on this scale and reflects the urgent need for quality research to support urban and housing policy innovation given the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on Australia's urban environments and housing markets," said Mr Harrington. 
"The Agenda was launched in collaboration with AHURI’s partner universities." 
"We’re very proud at how quickly our research teams came together to develop these projects’, says Dr Michael Fotheringham, Executive Director of AHURI. 
"Having the best and most up-to-date research findings will enable governments at all levels to develop policies that support Australians during and beyond the pandemic, and help deliver safe, secure and affordable housing for all."
The eight rapid-response projects will be published by AHURI in the second half of 2020.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Eight COVID-19 research projects to inform housing policy response: AHURI

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Plans for a major industrial precinct on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney Airport have been approved by the NSW Government, paving the way for a significant boost to jobs and investment in the region. 
Approval of the $2.6 billion Mamre Road Precinct, one of 12 key precincts in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, will unlock 850 hectares of new industrial land and see the creation of new public spaces and conservation areas.  
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the green light for the Precinct is a significant step forward in securing Western Sydney’s future as a global hub for logistics and advanced manufacturing. 
“We’re getting on with the job of building a new city around the airport well before the first plane takes off,” Ms Berejikilian said.
“This land release will provide opportunities for international and domestic businesses to invest in Western Sydney, enabling major warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and circular economy operations to be established.
“It will also bring a huge jobs boost to the region, creating opportunities for more than 5,200 jobs during the construction phase alone.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the Mamre Road Precinct will also include 50 hectares of open space, including new cycling and walking paths that will open up previously inaccessible land to the public. A further 70 hectares of conservation land, including the Cumberland Plain Woodland, will also be protected within the Precinct. 
“Not only does this rezoning secure much-needed productive industrial land, it also safeguards critical environmental areas and provides some fantastic new public spaces for the future residents of the Western Parkland City,” Mr Stokes said. 
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the rezoning is another milestone in the transformation of the Western Parkland City into a thriving hub, with new jobs, homes, infrastructure and open spaces.  
“We already have interested businesses from the transport and logistics, pharmaceutical and data storage industries ready to move into the precinct and capitalise on its future connections to local, regional and overseas markets,” Mr Ayres said.
The first industrial estates for the Mamre Road Precinct are expected to be occupied from mid-2021. 
The Mamre Road Precinct was one of 24 projects included in Tranche 2 of the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program that is fast-tracking planning assessments to keep people in jobs and the economy moving during the COVID-19 crisis. To date, the program has created opportunities for more than 16,400 direct  jobs and almost $11 billion worth of economic investment across NSW.
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$2.6 million Mamre Road Precinct to boost jobs in Western Sydney

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James Ledgerwood has quit The Agency at Bondi Beach to join Ray White Double Bay.
Before moving back home to Sydney, he started his real estate career selling property at Surfers Paradise for Ray White.
His real estate career started in 2004 and then from 2011 with McGrath on the Gold Coast.
Over the past year realestate.com.au data suggests he sold 24 properties, with 20 houses at a $4 million medium and four units at a $1 million median. 
His most recent sale was in early June at Bondi with a $1.045 million apartment preceded by an $855,000 Bondi sale in early April.
Some of his sale results during his time at The Agency have included;
<ul>
<li>307 ‘Pacific’ 186 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach - $6,000,000</li>
<li>13 Darley Road, Randwick - $5,550,000</li>
<li>Lighthouse 516 ‘Pacific’ 186 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach - $4,550,000</li>
<li>6 Kings Road, Vaucluse - $4,100,000</li>
<li>310 Bondi Road, Bondi - $3,800,000</li>
<li>90 Ocean St, Bondi - $3,738,000</li>
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James Ledgerwood quits The Agency

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JLL's recent ‘Will Melbourne’s city Fringe keep kicking goals’ report explores vacancy and rental scenarios for the market, post pandemic.
In recent years, Melbourne’s Fringe office market has recorded strong rental growth in prime and secondary assets, in some cases outperforming CBD markets nationally.
In 2020 the new supply to the Fringe markets is expected to be more than 9 times the 20-year-average. By the end of 2024, Melbourne’s Fringe office market is forecast to have a net increase in stock of close to 305,300sqm, taking the total market to 1.87million sqm, JLL research forecasts. 
While 1Q20 represents the peak of the net face rental growth cycle in the Fringe, the impact the health and economic crisis could have on the Fringe vacancy is still to be determined, particularly due to the variable and flexible component of the Fringe office supply pipeline.   However, as vacancy increases with the onset of new supply and downward pressure on demand, JLL predicts we will see effective rents in older and secondary stock recording more pronounced corrections.  
JLL Research is tracking 55 projects &gt;1,000sqm that could deliver an additional 272,700 sqm of office space to the market by 2024.However many of these are unlikely to proceed without pre-commit and therefore may be deferred or put on hold.
The projected supply, withdrawals and likely demand will all impact the Fringe office vacancy which is predicted to rise to 13.7 per cent by the end of 2021 and reach a second peak in 2024 at 14.3 per cent.
Several factors will impact the variance in predicted vacancy scenarios;  
<ul>
<li>Revised Scenario V shaped recovery assumes the supply pipeline is more substantially reduced or delayed and demand bounces back strongly in 2022. Vacancy peaks in 2023 are in the region of 12.8 per cent .</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Revised Scenario longer term impact assumes a reduced or delayed supply pipeline but also continuing inactivity for the next four years, minimal withdrawal of assets for any type of development and weaker demand. Vacancy peaks in 2022 are at approximately 15.4 per cent.  </li>
</ul>
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JLL’s senior research director, Victoria, Annabel McFarlane, said: “COVID-19 is expected to have a short to medium term impact on the Melbourne Fringe markets. After five years of very strong rental growth with prime net effective rents increasing by 9.2 per cent on average annually, we are projecting that net effective rents will contract by 9.1% from the peak in 1Q20 to trough in 4Q21. 
“As demand softens, developers may postpone or place projects without any level of pre-commitment on hold as softening rents and yields impact the long-term viability of these projects. Shorter build periods and smaller project sizes gives the Fringe market a degree nimbleness as potential speculative supply is postponed in response to reduced demand.   
“However, it is not all negative and we predict some sectors to expand post pandemic, which will particularly affect the Fringe market given the occupier range. The fringe market will have an important role to play in the post COVID environment as some businesses look to split workforces and increase flexibility for staff.”
JLL’s head of metro office leasing, Victoria, Josh Tebb added, “Sectors including Technology, Health Care and the Public Services sector which are predicted to expand already have strong footholds within the Fringe markets, and these precincts are well placed to absorb these rapidly growing sectors in the recovery. 
“We are only beginning to witness the impact of COVID-19 on the Victorian office market but in these early stages, we believe the cost savings and controlled building environments of smaller buildings in the immediate fringe may appeal to some CBD tenants seeking to separate departments and project teams for the short to medium term.”
Ms McFarlane concluded, “Longer term, Melbourne is well positioned from a macroeconomic stance, with liveability, relative affordability, historic population and jobs growth and a strong education sector to support the recovery from this health and economic crisis. Office markets will need to become more metropolitan to accommodate the changing and growing workforce.”
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Large Melbourne supply hits post COVID-19 

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Oxford Properties Group (‘Oxford’), a leading global real estate investor, developer and manager, announced it has lodged its Development Application (‘DA’) for its 39 storey, build-to-rent residential building, marking a major milestone for the Sydney Metro Pitt Street over station development. 
The building represents the first large scale build-to-rent project in Sydney’s CBD, and is part of Oxford’s wider development plans that also include a 39-storey office building at the Pitt Street north metro station entrance. The build-to-rent project marks the first step in Oxford’s strategy to create, over time, a leading multifamily platform in Australia, with a focus on Sydney and Melbourne.
Key features of the south building revealed in the DA include: 
<ul>
<li>More than 20,000 sqm of gross floor area including residential accommodation and a publicly accessible restaurant;</li>
<li>234 apartments with a range of dwelling sizes and types from one to three-bedroom apartments, all with balconies or terraces;</li>
<li>Three floors of resident amenities including a 20m pool with health and wellness facilities, resident lounge providing space to relax or work from home; and,</li>
<li>Multiple communal outdoor terraces including a dedicated resident rooftop dining room.</li>
</ul>
“We are excited to share our detailed plans for Pitt Street south building with the public for the first time. We have been working closely with our delivery partners and the project’s world-class consultant team, including leading Australian architects Bates Smart, to develop plans for a transformational project that will set the bar for purpose- built rental in Sydney’s CBD. The quality of apartments and extensive amenities will create an unmatched experience for residents,” commented Nellie O’Keeffe, Project Director for Pitt Street over station development at Oxford Properties.
“In line with Sydney Metro’s vision of forming a vibrant hub that will shape the city’s future, the wider Pitt Street project will deliver an enhanced midtown precinct incorporating office, retail and residential with a seamless transfer to public transport. The proposed design for a premium build-to-rent development will elevate this precinct as a landmark project and create a strong sense of place. The successful lodgement of the south building DA is progress towards our timeline to begin construction.”
As detailed within the DA, the design of the south building seeks to create a singular elegant and cohesive form, which brings together the Metro station, retail, residential and amenity uses. Philip Vivian, Director of Bates Smart, commented, “The south building has been designed to strengthen midtown’s historic brick character. Its clustered form reflects the scale of nearby buildings, while the podium sensitively steps to integrate with the historic context. Precast masonry facades reinterpret the colouration of the variegated brickwork of the surrounding buildings. The facade creates a midtown feel, with solidity providing privacy and environmental performance for residents. It’s architecture that is sympathetic to historic and present-day Sydney, and it enhances the city’s urban fabric.”
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Residents of the south building will benefit from Oxford’s institutional ownership that provide longer, more flexible lease terms, security of tenure and homes that are cared for by real estate management professionals.
“At Oxford, we are committed to combining global best practices and the knowledge of our on-the-ground team to deliver projects that positively impact our communities through job creation and that create a vibrant sense of place. Pitt Street metro station is a landmark project for the city and, as the first purpose-built build-to-rent building in the CBD, the south building serves as a major step forward for the residential market in Sydney,” commented Alec Harper, Head of Australia at Oxford Properties.
“The residential market in Australia has been evolving in response to housing affordability, population growth and changing demographic sentiment to home ownership. This is driving demand for professionally managed rental residential accommodation in urban centres. Build-to-rent offers a more affordable and flexible solution than homeownership for many Australians but, through surety of tenure, allows residents to put down long-term roots. As our first project in Australia as lead developer since entering the market in December 2018, it demonstrates our commitment to creating a leading multifamily platform in Australia with a focus on our core markets of Sydney and Melbourne.”
Oxford’s plans for the south building draw on its global experience and track record of delivering landmark projects around the world. Oxford currently owns over 12,000 rental residential apartments globally. It is currently developing build-to-rent communities across London, New York, Toronto, Boston and Washington D.C.
Construction on the south building is expected to begin in 2021 and scheduled to complete in 2023 with Metro services beginning in 2024. During construction, Oxford anticipates that around 350 jobs will be created through the construction of the south building over a 24-month period.
Pitt Street Project Background
Oxford Properties was named lead developer and equity investor for the office and build-to-rent residential buildings above the new Pitt Street metro station, announced by Sydney Metro in September 2019. Oxford’s consortium partners CPB Contractors are responsible for delivery of the station. Oxford is also working closely with Investa Property Group, which it has engaged as Co-Development Manager to assist in delivering the project.
Collectively, the Pitt Street north and south buildings will deliver approximately 65,000 sqm of new space and create a vibrant new commercial and residential hub around Pitt Street, between Park Street and Bathurst Street.
Oxford plans to lodge the DA for the north building, a 39-storey premium office tower and retail plaza on the corner of Pitt and Park Street, in July this year.
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DA lodged for build-to-rent-building at Pitt Street south metro station 

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The cost of insurance claims from four natural disaster catastrophes declared over the 2019-20 summer has passed $5.19 billion, with more than 15,000 new claims worth $270 million lodged in the past four weeks.
ICA Head of Communications Campbell Fuller said: “Thousands of new claims and property loss assessments have pushed total claims to more than 288,100 and the estimated damage bill to more than $5.19 billion.
“Insurers have already paid more than $2.85 billion for emergency accommodation, business interruption, repair and rebuilding work, replacement of motor vehicles and goods, services and settlements. This is despite the widespread impact of the natural disaster season and the handbrake effect of COVID-19.
“Almost 50 per cent of claims from the four storm, bushfire and hailstorm catastrophes have been closed by insurers – an extraordinary result for households and businesses affected by these disasters.”
The COVID 19 pandemic was declared a Catastrophe on March 11, 2020. The industry is assessing the impact it is having on claims and customers.
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Insurance bill for season of natural disasters climbs over $5.19 billion for 2019/2020

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Major construction for the Parramatta Light Rail has begun on ‘Eat Street’ in the first step towards the revitalisation of the famous dining strip.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the light rail works in Eat Street have started this week. They will include the removal of the existing pavement and road surface, deep excavation and moving or replacing underground utilities including water, gas pipes and telecommunication services.
A micro-tunnelling machine beneath the ground will reduce noise and impact compared to street-level work, moving up to 10 metres a day.
“We know the community is eager to see this light rail built and we will be working hard over the next five months to make the most of this time,” Mr Constance said.
“Our construction timetable together with innovative engineering techniques will see this precinct through to a fantastic new light rail network that will bring passengers into the heart of Parramatta.”
A construction grace period will see works cease on November 1, 2020 until February 1, 2021 and outdoor dining restored over the busy warmer months.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the precinct, closed to car traffic in February ahead of light rail works, had been impacted by COVID-19 lockdown measures and would benefit from a vibrant program of events and activities planned to celebrate the distinctiveness of the area.
“We’re pleased to give businesses certainty that hoardings will come down at the beginning of November, giving everyone a break from construction,” Mr Lee.
“This is in addition to the many other ways we’re proudly supporting Eat Street.” Further NSW Government support measures will include:
Nearly 2000 metres of colourful shadecloth and hoarding will highlight the array of local retailers and reflect the popular dining area’s rich cultural diversity.
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<li>
‘Activate Parramatta’, a new app, will be launched to attract the community, residents and visitors to dine or shop at businesses along the light rail route, as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease.
</li>
<li>A ‘Dine, Scan, Win’ shop local campaign will give the community a chance to win weekly prizes from participating restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Realise Business, appointed by Transport for NSW to deliver free business support services, continues to provide guidance to businesses affected by light rail construction.</li>
</ul>
The $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia and is expected to open in 2023.
Main Photo: <a href="http://www.turnerstudio.com.au/eat-street-merrylands-urban-design/" target="_blank">TURNER STUDIOS</a>
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'Eat Street' light rail transformation underway

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Rental prices have fallen in Metropolitan Melbourne following a month of some improvement in vacancy rates across the State.
The monthly rental data from the REIV shows median rents for houses are now more affordable at $470 per week, down from February’s $480 per week, but still higher than the same time last year.
Metropolitan units are also now cheaper to rent, from $450 per week in February down to $430 per week.
The Regional Victorian vacancy rate climbed from 1.8% to 1.9% over the month, however median house rents remain unchanged on $350 per week, with units rising to $295 per week.
In Geelong, house rental prices shrunk by $10 to $400 per week, the Ballarat region remained steady on $340 per week, while house rents increased in the Bendigo region by $7 to sit at $350 per week.
Although there has been some improvement in vacancy rates with Metropolitan Melbourne recording 2.3% for two consecutive months, Victoria needs vacancy rates of 3%- 4% to maintain a healthy market.”
The numbers released today reflect the strong market in the lead up to the State of Emergency, and are consistent with our March quarter median prices.
REIV President Leah Calnan said Victoria’s that the temporary measures in place due to COVID-19 make it challenging to gauge the real situation but the underlying strength of the Victorian property market is undeniable.
“Victoria’s rental accommodation supply is growing, more rental homes are now available but there remains a need for more properties to be listed to cater for growing demand.” Ms Calnan said.
“The State Government needs to work more closlely with property owners, to help build a reliable supply of rental accommodation in Victoria.
 
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Source: REIV Rental Data
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Victoria vacancy rates improving: REIV

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The NSW Government has released an awareness campaign to remind DIY enthusiasts to plan, prepare and check for asbestos if they are renovating an old home.
Renovation works may disturb asbestos, particularly in houses and sheds built before 1990, and the tagline Asbestos lurks in more places than you think, reminds DIY renovators and tradies to check for asbestos before renovating or building.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said this long weekend provides an ideal opportunity to tackle a DIY project but only if it is done safely and carefully.
“You can’t always tell what products contain asbestos just by looking,’’ Mr Kean said today.
Even though it has been banned in Australia since 2003, at the height of its use asbestos was in over 3,000 products with many of these products still in homes and workplaces – especially those built before 1990.
“We want homeowners to make use of Government’s Asbestos Finder asbestos.nsw.gov.au or arrange an assessment from a licensed asbestos assessor before starting a renovation to best protect your family, neighbours and the wider community,” Mr Kean said.
“Checking before you start will keep you and your family safe.”
Everyday products that could contain asbestos include:
<ul>
<li>
roofs, eaves, downpipes and insulation
</li>
<li>
interior walls (often with a non-asbestos covering on the outside)
</li>
<li>
kitchen splashbacks
</li>
<li>
under lino, some carpets and tiles (and the cement compounds used to fix tiles)
</li>
<li>
lagging around pipes, inside fuse boxes or as part of ventilation shafts
</li>
<li>
fences, garden sheds and small outdoor construction like chicken coops
</li>
<li>
bonded cement sheeting that make up walls, which can be disturbed when sanded in preparation for painting.
</li>
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Old homes can be an Asbestos hotspot

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The April 2020 Lending to Households and Business figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, show the value of loans for housing fell by 5.0 per cent (in seasonally adjusted terms), with the decrease being driven by owner occupiers purchase of existing dwellings, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA).
“The value of new loan commitments for both owner occupiers and investors displayed the largest fall in twelve months and the purchase of existing dwellings experienced the largest fall in over a decade,” said Mr Adrian Kelly, President of the REIA.
“Not surprisingly ABS reports that lending institutions have indicated that COVID-19 impacts were being seen through both reduced demand from borrowers and tighter lending criteria. What is more sobering is that ABS says COVID-19 operational impacts experienced by some lending institutions resulted in a backlog of March housing loan applications being processed in April, which moderated the April fall in loan commitments.”
The total number of owner occupier first home buyer loan commitments dropped by 3.8 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms but the proportion of first home buyers, as part of the total owner-occupied housing finance commitments was 36.7 per cent. 
Despite the fall in new commitments for first home buyers, the series is 20.2 per cent higher than the most recent low point in December 2018.
“Feedback from agents suggests that worse is yet to come on housing finance figures as restrictions on movements throughout May and caution about the economy impact on activity in the housing market,” concluded Mr Kelly.
 
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Value of loans fell by 12 month high: REIA

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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.

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"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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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