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Construction has started on a $14 million Gold Coast building that holds promise for a tech hub and is expected to be operation in October 2016. 
Located at 120-122 Siganto Drive at Helensvale, the three-level, 4,491 square metre building will be home to AMMA Private Equity.
The building will also house the head offices of AMMA’s key investments: Guvera, Sportkix, Tapp Commerce and App Investments.
It also aims to serve as an incubator for tech start-ups by providing serviced office space.
“The tech hub has a very funky tech look and feel – both inside and out. It will provide our team with state-of-the-art technology that will allow them to work on delivering the next generation of mobile innovations,” said AMMA Private Equity Global CEO Paul Jansz.
"Helping to get the creative juices going will be the building’s roof-top bar and entertaining area, golf simulator and indoor cricket pitch.
“It will be the ideal space for creatives, technologists, designers and developers to generate new ideas, experiment and bring innovations to market.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

AMMA invests in Gold Coast tech hub 

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The former Fairfield fire station, located at 3 William St, will go under the hammer on December 12 expecting to draw strong attention from developers.
The 955 square metre site is zoned for mixed use, providing a great opportunity for mixed-use retail, commercial, education and/or residential developments in the future.
“We had strong interest in the Cabramatta fire station that sold earlier this year, and we’re expecting a similar response in Fairfield,” said selling agent Harry Bui of Colliers International.
Fire &amp; Rescue NSW recently relocated to their new premises at 198 Fairfield Road, Yennora, making the William Street asset redundant for them.
 Bui also sold the Cabramatta fire station in May this year. The property fetched $2.1 million and was bought by Asian investor, the Lu Group.  
 “Fairfield is well-located in Sydney’s west, and the site at 3 William Street is in a central position and provides the buyer with a host of opportunities,” added Bui.
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Sydney's Fairfield fire station comes to market

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Vicinity Centres has announced its acquisition of two Perth metropolitan shopping centres, The Shops at Ellenbrook (Ellenbrook) and Livingston Marketplace, for a total of $319 million including costs.
They were bought from the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) in a deal expected to be completed by early 2016.
“Both centres are in trade areas characterised by strong population and retail expenditure growth over the medium to long term, and have high specialty sales productivity and low occupancy costs," said Angus McNaughton, CEO and Managing Director of Vicinity Centres.
“Both assets also have development potential which will strengthen their positioning in their catchments over time. This is particularly the case at The Shops at Ellenbrook which includes 6.5 hectares of adjoining land acquired as part of the transaction.”
The purchases are being funded through debt, increasing the group’s gearing by about 150 basis points, within Vicinity’s target gearing range of 25%-35%.
Ellenbrook is a sub-regional shopping centre with a gross lettable area (GLA) of 32,400 square metres, about 30 kilometres from Perth’s CBD.
It is the main retail centre in a catchment forecast to experience a population growth of 4.7% and retail spending growth of 7.3% on an annualised basis over the next 10 years.
Ellenbrook is anchored by Woolworths and Coles supermarkets and a Big W discount department store (DDS). The centre has 75 specialty stores generating sales of $8,500 per square metre (psm) and have below-market specialty occupancy costs of 10.7%.
With a total site area of over 19 hectares, there is scope to add a second DDS and more specialty stores. 
Livingston Marketplace is a sub-regional shopping centre with a GLA of 15,500 square metres located in the southern Perth suburb of Canning Vale, 15 kilometres from the Perth CBD.
It sits in a catchment forecast to experience 2.6% population growth and 5.5% retail spending growth on an annualised basis over the next 10 years.
The centre has a Woolworths supermarket, a Big W DDS, and 36 specialty stores which generate specialty sales of $9,900 psm and have below market specialty occupancy costs of 9.7%.
Ellenbrook has been purchased for $220 million ($231.6 million inclusive of acquisition costs), which includes $20 million for the additional land surrounding the asset. The centre has been acquired on a cap rate of 5.75%.
Livingston Marketplace was bought for $83 million ($87.4 million inclusive of acquisition costs) on a cap rate of 6%.
Due to the rental growth potential, internal rates of return in excess of 9% for both centres are expected to be achieved.
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Vicinity Centres buys two Perth shopping centres for $319 million

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Daniel Wayne Auld, an unregistered builder, was fined $4,500 in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court, following an action by Consumer Affairs Victoria relating to his work at a property in Spotswood.
Mr Auld, 31, of Sunshine West, trading as Timbertec Carpentry &amp; Constructions, pleaded guilty to various breaches of the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, the Building Act 1993 and the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria).  
As well as not being a registered builder at any relevant time, Mr Auld also:
<ul>
<li>took an initial deposit of 40% of the contract price. By law, the maximum deposit a builder can ask for is 10% (for works of less than $20,000) or 5% (for works of $20,000 or more)</li>
<li>failed to provide his client with a contract that included all the information legally required  </li>
<li>failed to complete the work within the time period specified or a within a reasonable time</li>
<li>carried out work while unregistered.</li>
</ul>
 The work Mr Auld was hired to complete included:
<ul>
<li>demolishing existing bathrooms, plumbing, plastering, tiling and installation of bathroom cabinetry and fittings</li>
<li>installing kitchen splashbacks and stair rails</li>
<li>laying floorboards</li>
<li>painting the house’s interior.</li>
</ul>
As well as the fine, Mr Auld was also ordered to pay $250 in court costs.
All fines must be paid to the Domestic Builders Fund. 
 
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Melbourne builder caught taking 40% deposit of contract price

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Three 2.32-hectare allotments of land have been snapped up by private owners, as the NSW Department of Planning &amp; Environment auctioned off a former quarry site at Castlereagh, near Penrith.
Lots 11, 12 and 13 Smith Road, Castlereagh, were released by the government following a reclamation process.
“As the site was formerly home to a quarry, this land sale has been 6 or 7 years in the making, following a significant number of studies and land works to ensure the blocks were suitable for sale,” said selling agent Lori Howell of Raine &amp; Horne Penrith &amp; Mid Mountains.
<img src="/images/2015/11/26/700_Raine.jpg" alt="" width="558" height="372">
She said there were more than 200 enquiries, with 25 registered bidders at auction. 
Lot 13, which backs onto the Nepean River and has direct riverfront access, went well above its reserve after a bidding war which drove up the price to $1.501 million.
Lot 12 sold for $1.205 million, while Lot 11 fetched $980,000.
“To say the interest in these properties was huge would be an understatement, and their quality and location ultimately made them easy to sell,” added Ms Howell.
The more than 130-year-old quarry in Castlereagh closed down earlier this year. Material from the quarry was used to build the Sydney 2000 Olympic venues.
The government plans to transform the site into a series of recreational lakes and housing, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
The lots are neighboured by Princes Farm, the equine facility of the late Melbourne Cup king Bart Cummings, and Huntington Estate, a luxury 12-acre property formerly owned by trucking industry veterans Pam and Albert Hunt of Hunt Specialised Transport.
“The land was leased for many years by Princes Farm for running their horses, so the land definitely has a thoroughbred reputation.”
Howell says her equestrian background also helped her win the listing.
“The property was originally put up for tender by the government, and as part of my process I ended up walking every inch of the land to get a real feel for it," she said.
“I found that with my background in show horses and judging, and the fact that the property had been used by Princes Farm for equestrian purposes, this gave me some great inside knowledge of the lay of the land, which ultimately helped me win the tender."
 
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Castlereagh lots snapped up as NSW government auctions former quarry site

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Mount Druitt - and the 2770 postcode - was identified as one of the most affordable rental suburbs closest to the Sydney central business district, according to Australia's first rental affordability index.
The index is a joint project between peak housing advocate National Shelter, Community Sector Banking and SGS Economics &amp; Planning.
Property Observer went looking for select properties for rent in Sydney's Mount Druitt and came up with a range. Here's the highest, the lowest and a couple in-between:
1. A four-bedroom duplex at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/20a-druitt-street-mount-druitt/Property-Details-rent-residential-9781276" target="_blank">20A Druitt Street, MOUNT DRUITT 2770</a> (above) available for $550 a week tops the rentals. The property last traded for $360,000 in 2012.
2. A three-bedroom house on <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/15-anderson-avenue-blackett/Property-Details-rent-residential-9780114" target="_blank">15 Anderson Avenue, BLACKETT 2770</a> (below) is available for $380 a week. The house sold in March for $440,000 at a gross rental yield of 4.49%.
<img src="/images/2015/11/25/15-Anderson-Avenue-Blackett-NSW-2770-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9780114.jpg" alt="" width="569" height="427">
3. A three-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/2-11-13-durham-street-mount-druitt/Property-Details-rent-residential-9776667" target="_blank">2/11-13 Durham Street, MOUNT DRUITT 2770</a> (below) tops the rentals for apartments at $420 a week. The unit sold for $398,000 in 2014 at a gross rental yield of 5.49%.
<img src="/images/2015/11/25/2-11-13-Durham-Street-Mount-Druitt-NSW-2770-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9776667.jpg" alt="" width="505" height="379">
4. The bottom one is a two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/16-28-hythe-street-mount-druitt/Property-Details-rent-residential-9552616" target="_blank">16/28 Hythe Street, MOUNT DRUITT 2770</a>, (below) available for $280 a week. The property last traded in 2007 for $145,000.
<img src="/images/2015/11/25/16-28-Hythe-Street-Mount-Druitt-NSW-2770-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9552616.jpg" alt="" width="416" height="312">
The median sale price of a house in Mount Druitt is $520,000 with a median gross yield of 3.9%, according to <a href="/news">www.propertyvalue.com.au</a>.
The median rental is $390 per week and it sits at 808 across NSW, according to the data.
For apartments, the median sale price is $331,000 with a median gross yield of 5.3 percent. 
The median rent is $340 per week, which is well below the national average of $390 per week.
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Mount Druitt rental affordability: What landlords are asking from tenants

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In the latest run of retail sales in regional Queensland, Gympie’s Southside Town Centre neighbourhood shopping centre has sold for $28.3 million.
Unlisted public company AHC Ltd sold the centre to a private investor on a passing yield of 6.53%.
Southside Town Centre is positioned on a two-hectare site at 1 Woolgar Road at Southside, about two kilometres from Gympie CBD.
The shopping centre, which opened in December 2011, is anchored by Woolworths spread over 3,102 square metres and supported by a discount variety store and 12 specialty tenants including a medical centre and pharmacy.
The site also includes a freestanding Caltex Service Station and Star-Mart, with prospects for a future fast food outlet on an adjacent undeveloped pad site.
The property is underpinned by a 20-year lease to Woolworths until 2031, and over 50 percent of the total rental income is from Woolworths and Caltex.
There is parking for 343 vehicles.
The property was marketed by Peter and Jon Tyson of Savills via an expressions of interest campaign that attracted over 150 buyer enquiries. 
Shopping centre investments, supported by major anchor supermarket tenants, in regional locations are in demand as investors look beyond the suburban Brisbane market for both opportunities and yield, said Peter Tyson.
“The sale of the Southside Town Centre continues this trend and highlights the growing demand for well-established and strongly performing retail assets in regional centres such as Gympie,” he said.
Savills recently sold the Banora Central Shopping Centre, south of the Gold Coast, for $19 million to a private investor at a passing yield of approximately 6.49%.
The 13,340sq m site on the corner of Leisure Drive and Fraser Drive at Banora Point, was built in 2007 and features a Coles supermarket, three specialty shops, one kiosk and two ATMs and extensive partly covered grade-level parking. 
Jon Tyson of Savills said with only four specialty tenants, the asset offered strong income security and little or no leasing risk.
"This feature, coupled with a low management requirement, was of particular appeal to investors," he said.
"It was this income security and ease of management that set the centre apart from other assets."
 
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Savills sell Queensland's Gympie shopping centre for $28.3 million

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Turkish investment trust Nurol REIT has chosen Raine &amp; Horne Dubai as its lead agency to market an extensive AED 3 billion (AUD $1.12 billion) Turkish real estate portfolio to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
Nurol REIT is a US$25 billion (A$34.76 billion) business conglomerate, and is significantly involved in Dubai’s Jumeirah Park and Jumeirah Village Triangle, and Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
The property portfolio, located in Istanbul, Turkey, includes Nurol Life, a luxury residential apartment tower in the heart of the city and a mixed-use community Nurol Park close to Ataturk Airport.
Nurol Park is classified as prime Istanbul real estate and comprises two commercial buildings, eight residential towers and a hotel.
The third asset, Nurol Tower, is located next to Istanbul Court and comprises affordable residential and office properties. 
“The decision to appoint Raine &amp; Horne Dubai as the lead agency makes plenty of sense, as a large chunk of Turkish real estate sold to foreign buyers is purchased by GCC investors,” said Angus Raine, executive chairman, Raine &amp; Horne.
Since the liberalisation of the foreign investment laws in Turkey in 2012, GCC investment in the country's property sector has risen by 500%, while the Gulf states account for nearly a quarter of the foreign buyers, at 24%, according to Dubai-based property research firm, REIDIN.
“High capital growth and great investment propositions, combined with a raft of important future infrastructure projects and secure legislation and regulation, means Turkey is a key market for property investors, and our buyers in the Gulf are demonstrating their confidence in Istanbul's healthy property market," said Sanjay Chimnani, Joint Managing Director of Raine &amp; Horne Dubai.
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Raine & Horne to market Turkish property portfolio to GCC

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The NSW government is selling eight properties in Sydney and major regional cities through Burgess Rawson auction on December 8.
All are on long leases of 5 plus 5 plus years with the tenant paying all outgoings.
The rental increase is a fixed 3%.
Net incomes range from $23,445 per annum to $335,760 per annum.
The properties are at Bathurst (Robin Hill), Cessnock, Deniliquin, Grafton, Mittagong (Welby), Penrith, Unanderra (Wollongong) and Tweed Heads.
Service NSW, and the remnants of the RTA are the typical tenants.
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NSW government selling eight properties through Burgess Rawson auction

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Two adjacent properties in Melbourne's Hawthorn East, placed on the market together, fetched $1,770,000 at auction, equating to more than $4,600 per square metre.
The properties at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-hawthorn+east-501745514" target="_blank">5 &amp; 7 Redfern Road</a> comprise a total site area of 384.2 square metres, creating a larger site for future development.
The buyer, a local developer, intends to develop the site into a boutique residential apartment project, subject to planning approval. The site is zoned Commercial 1.
The property, which features two titles and a rear 6.4 metre wide carriageway access, is close to shopping areas, cafes and railway station.
Ian Angelico and Jarrod Moran of CVA Property Consultants sold the property along with the Melbourne Commercial Group.
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Melbourne's Hawthorn East site fetches $1.77 million at auction

ASX-listed developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a>&nbsp;is continuing its push back into the new apartment market, filing plans for a prominent gateway site between Collingwood and East Melbourne.

The development giant, which moved back into the new apartment space when it announced Stanton Place in Sydney's Rosebery and have since filed plans for a 50-storey tower, are jumping into the off the plan Melbourne market.

They are hoping to create a mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-victoria-parade-collingwood-vic-3066">79-81 Victoria Parade</a>, replacing an existing commercial building with a scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/john-wardle-architects">Wardle</a>&nbsp;for 478 apartments,&nbsp;ground-floor retail, new public open spaces and a publicly accessible pedestrian laneway.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72dbbca9-3918-4073-afad-a0c0c35be8e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20pers.png?VersionId=bzMVUKKxvwuNK1m0v_td126Rgct32uk_" />

The design report identifies the public realm as a central driver of the proposal.

"Collingwood has limited access to high-quality parks and public open space, and the proposal delivers valuable new areas for respite, social interaction and fine-grain retail activity."

The development would deliver a diverse mix of housing, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside townhouse-style residences. Two basement levels are proposed beneath the development, providing resident and retail parking as well as extensive bicycle facilities.

Wardle's design draws heavily on Collingwood's industrial character, using articulated building forms, brickwork and robust materials inspired by the suburb's warehouse and manufacturing heritage. The built form has been broken into a series of smaller volumes to better respond to the surrounding streetscape while extensive communal gardens, rooftop amenities and shared resident spaces are integrated throughout the project.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b2135ed-65df-4253-ad53-f216f06bd467" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20podium.png?VersionId=l1B6Hqn8zs772VxH6L1fDPg0KHshan9v" />

The planning documents describe the existing office building as offering little engagement with the public realm, with the redevelopment intended to create a more permeable and active neighbourhood destination.

"The proposed scheme presents a significant opportunity to deliver a vibrant retail plaza and a local neighbourhood hub serving both existing and future Collingwood residents."

The 79–81 Victoria Parade site occupies a strategic location about 1.5 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, at the threshold between Collingwood and East Melbourne. It is well served by tram services along Victoria Parade and sits within walking distance of St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy Gardens, the Fitzroy activity centre and a broad range of employment, retail and hospitality destinations.

Joel Robinson

Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site

An 1880s timber cottage that has survived Kangaroo Point's transformation from riverside suburb to high-density apartment precinct is set to become the centrepiece of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/zephyr">Zephyr Group</a>'s proposed Banksia development.

Rather than see the locally heritage-listed Alpha Cottage as an obstacle to navigate, plans integrate the landmark home into a new 18-storey residential tower, giving one of the suburb's oldest surviving residences a new role as the project's communal hub.

The development application covers a 1,177 sqm amalgamated site at 127-133 Lambert Street and 30 Shafston Avenue, where Zephyr Group plans to deliver 64 apartments above three basement levels. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/joe-adsett-architects">Joe Adsett Architects</a>, the proposal carefully weaves the retained heritage cottage into a contemporary residential scheme, with the tower elevated above the historic building to preserve its presence within the Lambert Street streetscape.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9dc5bdb-d691-4c60-bf2b-c3ed405a3e75" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Banksia.png?VersionId=Jh4bjlewU.o8HXWt0V4KaFA_lPcF7KWM" />

Named after the native Australian Banksia flower, the project draws inspiration from its distinctive form through curved balconies, sculpted planter boxes and cascading subtropical landscaping that soften the building's profile.

As the design report explains: "The tower's identity is defined by its feature facade, drawing direct inspiration from the Banksia wildflower. The building departs from traditional rigidity through the use of elegant, GRC-moulded planter boxes that appear as if shaped by the breeze."

Plans propose 64 apartments, comprising 32 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom residences, across an 18-storey tower. Residents would have access to rooftop amenities including a swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, private cinema, dining spaces and landscaped recreation areas, while more than half the site is dedicated to planting and open space.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16041b5f-033e-47fa-8fbe-9886e072c1f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pool.png?VersionId=kpx5w4EbLx0_TdWfDoD1vrSs0_cZ5Ao1" />

The heritage component is the defining feature of the proposal. Constructed in the early 1880s and occupied from at least 1883, Alpha Cottage is recognised by Brisbane City Council as an important surviving example of Kangaroo Point's nineteenth-century residential development and as a representative transverse-gable timber cottage. Despite extensive redevelopment across the peninsula, the building has retained a high degree of its original form and internal fabric.

As part of the redevelopment, the cottage will be carefully relocated a short distance within its original allotment to facilitate construction before being returned to a prominent position along Lambert Street. Original verandah elements will be dismantled, catalogued and reinstated, while significant internal features, including timber flooring, wall linings, joinery, doors, windows and hardware, will be retained. Later additions, including the enclosed rear verandah, will be removed to better reveal the building's original form.

Once restored, Alpha Cottage will accommodate the building manager's office, mail room and parcel facilities, providing an active everyday use that supports its long-term conservation rather than preserving it as a static display. The heritage strategy also maintains landscaped space around the building, allowing it to remain visually distinct beneath the new tower.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43b027e1-576e-4624-a66c-7cc54ea8b7be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/banksia%20tower.png?VersionId=2W6E2yfkj2AQlWlLeV986grA5zB9f817" />

The Heritage Impact Assessment concludes that "the proposal secures the ongoing occupation, maintenance and conservation of Alpha Cottage," finding the development would result in "no more than a minor impact on the cultural heritage significance" of the building while ensuring its long-term future.

Joe Adsett Architects have designed the tower to sit above the heritage building rather than overwhelm it, creating a clear visual separation between old and new. The development's flowing balconies, integrated planting and organic façade respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate while complementing the restored cottage below.

Banksia occupies a prominent corner in Kangaroo Point within walking distance of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane River, ferry services, QUT, the CBD and the Woolloongabba precinct. The site also benefits from direct access to active transport infrastructure and sits within an area earmarked for continued higher-density residential growth.

Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage

Buying into a masterplanned community often means committing to a vision still years from taking shape. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>, that vision is already visible.

Residents have moved into the completed first stage, landscaped spaces are established, and the next chapter is now underway. Stage 1 has been completed and settled, with Stage 2 now selling off-the-plan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> combines attainable apartment living with sustainability initiatives rarely seen at this price point, including rooftop solar, battery storage and a resident EV-sharing program.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6RNt3AvtBpI?si=JUhuCV2ZRXsYaoJZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Located on Schofi​elds Road, just moments from Tal​lawong Metro Station and Schof​ields Train Station, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been designed to appeal to a broad mix of buyers, from first-home purchasers looking for a foothold in Sy​dney's property market to downsizers seeking a connected, low-maintenance lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been conceived as a thoughtfully planned masterplanned community that will evolve over multiple stages, with buyers now able to secure one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a neighbourhood that is already beginning to establish its identity.

One of the project's defining features is its focus on sustainability. Solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure have been incorporated throughout the development, reflecting a long-term approach to both environmental performance and everyday convenience.

Sustainability sits at the centre of the development's vision, with solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure integrated throughout the community.

That emphasis on future-ready living extends beyond the technology. Landscaped communal gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and plans for a future retail precinct aim to create a neighbourhood where residents can access daily conveniences without travelling far from home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351027]

The apartments themselves have been designed with liveability front of mind. Rather than chasing maximum density, the focus has been placed on creating practical homes with generous natural light, usable layouts and strong connections to outdoor space.

Importantly, these design principles have been applied consistently across the one, two and three-bedroom apartment offerings.

The appeal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> is also closely linked to its location within Syd​ney's rapidly evolving north-west growth corridor. Over the past decade, major infrastructure investment has transformed the area, with new transport links, business precincts and community facilities reshaping suburbs like Talla​wong and Schofiel​ds.

The agent says buyers are increasingly recognising the area's long-term potential.

"Typical buyers that we're finding across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> especially are your first-home buyers, your investors, your upsizers as well as your downsizers," Hawes says.

Connectivity remains one of the project's strongest drawcards. Residents have access to both Tallaw​ong Metro Station and Schofi​elds Train Station, providing links to the Sydn​ey CBD, Norw​est Business Park, Macquari​e Park and other major employment hubs. Retail centres including Rous​e Hill Town Centre and Sch​ofields Village are also nearby, alongside schools, parks and future healthcare infrastructure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351031]

For Stage 1 resident Roji, it is the balance between convenience and comfort that has defined the experience of living at Kew.

"For me, it's a balance of quality and convenience," she says. "Everything I need is right here."

"If I wanted to catch the train, Scho​fields Station is just around the corner. Tallaw​ong Metro connects me to the city."

More importantly, she says, the development has delivered something that cannot be measured in floorplans or specifications.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> feels like home."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351024]

As Stage 2 enters the market, that lived experience may be one of the project's strongest selling points. Buyers are not purchasing into an untested concept or a future promise. They are joining a community that is already taking shape.

Ongoing investment in transport, retail, healthcare and public open space continues to strengthen the appeal of Syd​ney's north-west growth corridor, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>'s established first stage provides buyers with a tangible sense of the community's future direction.

For a limited time, buyer can secure a new home at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> with just a $10,000.

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Kew Tallawong: A growing community taking shape in Sydney's north-west

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a> has received development approval for its 51-storey mixed-use tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney, set to be one of the tallest mixed-use residential-led buildings in one of Sydney’s most sought-after commercial and residential addresses.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) through the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following a comprehensive public exhibition and submissions process, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">the project</a> will deliver 296 apartments, alongside a 170-room, luxury hotel, activated retail and significant public domain improvements.

Situated just 200 metres from Victoria Cross Metro Station, on one of the largest developable sites in North Sydney, the development will rise to 234 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the suburb. With an end value of approximately $1.5 billion, the project responds directly to the NSW Government’s mandate to accelerate housing delivery in well-located, transit-connected areas.

<img alt="Freecity gets green light for mixed-use residential and hotel tower in North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="192ec455-94bf-4e01-83ef-922b1b269d67" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20-%20Walker%20Street%20North%20Sydney%201%20RESIZED%20.jpg?VersionId=Bzqp0SBHCDvLAHjA4QXkjuGoOEIh73Jl" />

The apartment mix will cater to a broad range of buyers, with 65 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 139 two-bedroom residences, 35 three-bedroom apartments, 48 four-bedroom homes, and nine penthouses. Residents will have access to a dedicated amenity level on Level 33, featuring a swimming pool with views towards the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and North Sydney CBD, as well as a gym, library, shared kitchen, lounge and outdoor entertaining areas.

The hotel will occupy the lower six levels of the building and include meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre with gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna, further strengthening North Sydney's growing hospitality offering.

At ground level, the development has been designed to improve pedestrian connections through the precinct. More than 700 sqm of retail space will activate the street frontage, while a landscaped through-site link connecting Walker Street, Little Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park will provide new public open space with seating, paving and extensive native landscaping.

Freecity Group Co-Founder and Joint CEO Tony Sun said the project represents one of the most significant development opportunities currently available in North Sydney.

"This is one of the most significant development sites in North Sydney and it comes at a pivotal moment for the precinct," Sun said.

"North Sydney is undergoing a genuine transformation, and this project will contribute housing the city urgently needs while creating a landmark destination."

Executive Director of Development Michael Romano said demand for both residential and hotel accommodation would continue to strengthen as the Metro precinct matures.

"The structural demand for high-quality housing and hotel accommodation in North Sydney is compelling, and will only grow as the precinct continues to evolve around the new Metro station," Romano said.

Architectus has designed the tower, orientating the apartments to maximise views towards Sydney Harbour while introducing a sculpted façade intended to respond to light, wind and the surrounding skyline.

Architectus Principal Marko Damic said the design sought to create a tower that contributes to the public realm as much as the skyline.

"We wanted to design a tower that doesn't just sit in the skyline but actively participates and contributes to city life," Damic said.

First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240] 
&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
&nbsp; 
"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362566] 
&nbsp; 
"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362564] 
&nbsp; 
PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
&nbsp; 
"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291195] 
&nbsp; 
Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

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