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Alder, a federation style period home in Middle Park, Victoria has been offered for sale for the first time since 1964.
It has been listed with a price guide between $5.8 million to $6.3 million. 
The four bedroom, two bathroom house is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-middle+park-132905282" target="_blank">117 Harold Street</a>. 
Set on a 795 sqm allotment, the freestanding house comprises nine principle rooms including living rooms, kitchenettes and roof attic. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/24/middle%20park%202.jpg" alt="">
Alder comes with sun-drenched backyard and established front garden entrance plus double garage. 
Other features include high ceilings, open fireplaces, bay window and bluestone foundations and three street frontages. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/24/middle%20park%203.jpg" alt="">
The house is located only 100 metres from the beach and moments to Albert Park Lake, villages, public transport and schools. 
Simon Carruthers and Michael Szulc of Cayzer Real Estate Albert Park have the listing. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Middle Park federation style trophy home hits the market 

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A Middle Park Edwardian house situated close to beach and trams has hit the market.
It has been listed for sale with $3 million to $3.3 million hopes. 
The three bedroom, two bathroom house is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-middle+park-132908626" target="_blank">163 Richardson Street</a>. 
It was a former corner shop.
Set on a 332 sqm block, the home comes with sitting room, modern kitchen, casual living and dining room and north-facing garden. 
Other features include large workshop, off street parking and open fireplace.
The dual lots on the one title provide an opportunity to create two residences (STCA). 
The house is situated within walking distance to Middle Park Village, Albert Park Lake and schools.
Oliver Bruce and Sarah Wood of Marshall White Port Phillip have the listing. 
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Middle Park Edwardian former shop home hits the market 

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An Element, Burleigh Heads beachfront apartment on has been sold for $3.15 million.
The three bedroom, three bathroom 12th floor apartment with ocean and skyline views is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-qld-burleigh+heads-132745674" target="_blank">35/106-108 The Esplanade</a>. 
The 330sqm apartment comprises open plan living and dining, casual meals area, media lounge room, gourmet kitchen and wine room.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/17/burleigh%20heads%201.jpg" alt="">
Other features include private balcony, frying patio, and Cbus home automation system. 
Residents' only facilities include heated lap pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium and herb garden.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/17/burleigh%20heads%202.jpg" alt="">
It is located close to beaches, parklands, shops, cafes and markets. 
Katrina Walsh of Harcourts Coastal sold the apartment. 
The home has traded for a loss at this most recent sale as it last transacted for $3.2 million in 2015.
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Element, Burleigh Heads beachfront apartment sold for $3.15 million

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A St Kilda Victorian house located opposite Peanut Farm Reserve has been sold for $3.71 million.
The four bedroom, two bathroom home is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-st+kilda-132797042" target="_blank">50 Chaucer Street</a>. 
Set on 399sqm of land, the home features formal lounge, separate dining room, timber-topped kitchen and bay-windowed family/meals zone.
Upstairs are main bedroom with balcony, three additional bedrooms and family bathroom.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/17/st%20kilda%202.jpg" alt="">
Other highlights include front and rear garden, off-street parking, high ceilings and open fireplaces.
The home is located within walking distances to cafes, shops, restaurants, St Kilda Beach and public transport. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/17/st%20kilda%203.jpg" alt="">
Tony Pride and Margaret Duncan of Belle Property St Kilda sold the property. 
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St Kilda bayside Victorian house sold 

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Politicians in many countries around the world claim to be experiencing a “housing crisis”. But how do they define it, who is affected, and what is the cause?
These are critical questions. Exploring them can help us understand why much of the evidence from research is not carried through into political discourse and policy.
In the wake of the growing global “crisification” of housing, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673037.2019.1697801" target="_blank">our research</a> evaluated political speeches in Hansard connected to the housing crisis in New Zealand over three terms of the centre-right National Party government (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_National_Government_of_New_Zealand" target="_blank">2008-17</a>). We sought to better understand how the issue became visible in politics and then trace this through to policy. We found the term “housing crisis” was rarely used before 2013.
Our aim was to provide deeper insights into why the problem appears to be resisting resolution. While the research took place in New Zealand, the findings have wider relevance for other countries grappling with this issue of “housing crisis”.
Tracing the rise of the housing crisis
Crises are truth claims. They are invoked, they define, they blame and, in doing so, they privilege certain ideologies or policy “solutions” over others.
If the problem is seen as due to “red tape”, too much immigration or unfair taxes, then these all require very different interventions. Some responses will be more effective than others. Some may have more in common with long-held political ideology than a body of scientific evidence.
The chart below shows the emergence, frequency and party-oriented nature of housing being framed in terms of a “crisis”.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/311241/original/file-20200121-117943-1pmrh05.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""> 
Frequency of the ‘housing crisis’ framing by year and political party. Author provided
From being used only two times during the first term of National government (2008-11), the term was used 105 times in the second (2011-14) and 205 times in the third (2014-17). (The lack of use in 2014 appears more related to parliament being distracted by an election year than the profile of the issue.)
You can also see it’s almost exclusively opposition parties, in particular Labour and the Greens, that use the crisis framing. MPs from the ruling National Party used the term only five times, and then mainly in response to previous speakers to resist the charge.
A contest to frame the issue
Turning to the content of debate, the following table provides an overview of the strength and focus of the framing themes used.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/312709/original/file-20200130-154320-qaf3ab.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Author provided
Even though the governing party resisted the crisis terminology, a very consistent narrative dominated housing debates. It was that the reason for poor affordability was an inefficient and overly bureaucratic planning system that stifled the release of development land. It was a problem of supply, the reasoning went: more land should logically lead to more houses to meet demand, which should make housing more affordable.
In some ways the subordinate counterframing attempts by opposition parties provide an insight into the complexity of the housing crisis. In contrast, the government framing appears both easier to communicate and “solve”.
The episodic and missing frames are of particular interest as they help demonstrate what perspectives and voices were not represented in any meaningful manner.
Even though the National government did not accept the framing as a crisis, the high profile of the political discourse led to a suite of legislative and policy initiatives. These documents strongly reflect the dominant narrative. For example, the Resource Management Act, the main planning legislation in New Zealand, receives repeated blame for high house prices as part of the justification for measures aimed at increasing the supply of land.
What does this mean for evidence and policy?
A key finding is that the crisis claim from opposition parties did not just lead to a contest over whether this was correct, or even its meaning. It also opened up a new political space for the ruling party to promote long-standing ideas about the preferred relationship between the state, private sector and market.
Researchers recognise housing as a multifaceted public policy problem and draw upon multiple streams of evidence. However, the political framing of housing as a crisis and its links to policy was much more simple, siloed and ideological. Although wider political discourse did acknowledge the complexity of housing issues, the nature of politics and the balance of power meant the cause was reduced to a simple effective message – poor land supply and an inefficient planning system – which informed the policy responses.
This gap between evidence and politics may also help explain how various urban and environmental crises have become less of a one-off event and more of a modern lived condition that may never be “solved” but rather redistributed politically.
In reality, the various frames show how there is not just a singular “housing crisis”. There may be a supply crisis, a demand crisis, a quality crisis, a distribution crisis, a credit crisis, a rental crisis, and so on. All of these issues differ between local, national and international contexts.
Lastly, if political power and existing ideological perspectives are so central to the framing and response to a crisis, then this raises questions for how researchers can better integrate research into politics and policy. While topics such as liveability, sustainability, density, connectivity, justice and quality are well represented in research, the data show this is not carried through into political discourse. Perhaps by focusing on the reasons for this gap we can better understand policy failure and the role of power and ideology in perpetuating the housing crisis.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/128861/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/iain-white-95947" target="_blank">Iain White</a>, Professor of Environmental Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-waikato-781" target="_blank">University of Waikato</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/housing-crisis-what-crisis-how-politicians-talk-about-housing-and-why-it-matters-128861" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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What housing crisis? How politicians talk about housing and why it matters

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Darwin City Council installed a network of hundreds of new devices across the centre of the city last year. This web of “smart” lights, environmental sensors and video cameras is designed to give the council more power to monitor and manage urban places – and the people who occupy them.
The council says the A$10 million “<a href="https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/council/transforming-darwin/key-projects/switchingondarwin" target="_blank">Switching on Darwin</a>” project is “delivering smart technology to encourage innovative solutions and enhance community life”. We argue it is better seen as a project of surveillance and control, which is embedded in a long history of settler-colonial urbanism.
Intensified surveillance
Journalists and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/505755470028036/permalink/515375359066047/" target="_blank">community members</a> alike worried about the project. The scale and rapid rollout of the project, some argued, meant it would erode Darwinians’ privacy through intensified surveillance.
The introduction of new digital surveillance measures in Darwin poses particular concerns for already marginalised groups, as ANU sociologists Gavin Smith and Pat O’Malley have pointed out. The most affected are likely to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are already disproportionately <a href="http://www.yjc.org.au/resources/YJC-STMP-Report.pdf" target="_blank">targeted</a>, <a href="https://www.griffithreview.com/articles/white-justice-black-suffering/" target="_blank">criminalised</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2018/aug/28/deaths-inside-indigenous-australian-deaths-in-custody" target="_blank">incarcerated</a>.
The Darwin project also occurs in the context of the federal government’s plan to develop northern Australia. This development agenda has been criticised for, among other things, its <a href="https://newmatilda.com/2014/11/11/white-paper-black-australia-developing-whose-northern-australia-whom/" target="_blank">lack of interest</a> in the Indigenous people who are the traditional owners of much of the land.
Privacy concerns dismissed
Two of the chief concerns for Switching on Darwin critics were the possible use of facial recognition software and the potential involvement of Chinese tech company Huawei. Darwin’s lord mayor <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-13/darwin-smart-city-rollout-privacy-concerns-dismissed-lord-mayor/11203528" target="_blank">dismissed</a> criticisms as the baseless concerns of “conspiracy theorists”. He also gave advice to people worried about privacy: “don’t get a licence, give away your credit cards, and get out of Facebook”.
Compared with the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0162243918806061" target="_blank">slick sales pitch</a> that usually accompanies smart city projects, the lord mayor’s blunt approach is more like the strident accusations of “fake news” that are now common in political discourse.
The logic of ‘smart cities’
But if we dig a little deeper, the lord mayor’s comments reveal a set of assumptions about “smart cities” that animate conversations about how cities should work in Australia.
First, that digital technologies – typically in the form of solutions and services bought from companies outside government – are a necessary part of <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/cities/city-deals/darwin/" target="_blank">“vibrant” and “liveable”</a> <a href="http://www.choosebrisbane.com.au/2022plan" target="_blank">“world cities”</a>.
Second, that privacy and surveillance issues are unfortunate byproducts of technological progress, but are outweighed by their benefits.
And finally, that technologies are straightforward non-political ways to change cities.
For governments and corporations, the vision of the smart city means a generic “public” enjoys more convenience, planners enjoys more information and efficiency, and politicians enjoy more growth and security. It’s an enticing vision, but it is built on faulty assumptions.
This vision assumes smart systems are simply a matter of technocratic management or corporate outsourcing and focuses on the supposedly unprecedented “disruption” of emerging technologies. In doing this, it overlooks important connections between the operations of smart urbanism and much older practices of colonial control.
Smart urban systems function in remarkably similar ways, for similar purposes and with similar outcomes. For example, the high-tech, data-driven systems that police now use to identify and assess people, like the New South Wales Police Force’s Suspect Targeting Management Plan, <a href="https://rlc.org.au/article/policing-young-people-nsw-study-suspect-targeting-management-plan" target="_blank">disproportionately target</a> the same exact marginalised groups who have always been subjected to over-policing – in this case young and/or Aboriginal people. But now these decisions can be hidden and justified by algorithmic analysis.
Existing power dynamics and structural inequalities cannot be erased by installing some new digital systems and declaring that the future city has arrived. Instead, the new systems can make these dynamics harder to see and at the same time entrench them more deeply.
Captured cities
In practice, the smart city is very different from the vision. It is better understood as the <a href="https://reallifemag.com/the-captured-city/" target="_blank">captured city</a>.
As a model for urban governance, the captured city takes the capabilities offered by smart systems and puts them to work in surveillance and control. Often this includes importing tools and ideas from military intelligence into police departments, and extending methods of colonial control – such as <a href="https://www.themonthly.com.au/today/amy-mcquire/2017/21/2017/1487653645/please-hold" target="_blank">welfare restrictions in Aboriginal communities</a> – to the population at large.
The city and its inhabitants are thus “captured”, both by surveillance that collects data and by authorities who control territory.
What happens to the captured city then will be shaped by the context in which the smart urban systems are deployed.
There is no reason to believe things will be different now because the boosters of smart urbanism drop a few buzzwords and make some lofty promises. Indeed, these technologies equip the state with even better tools to monitor and control its population – often by design. We’ve heard it all before, every time a tech executive or venture capitalist makes promises to fulfil the techno-utopian dream of disruption.
Darwin is not alone
Darwin is well on its way to becoming a captured city, but it is not alone. As all levels of government across Australia seek smarter ways of governing, examples of similar urban technologies being used in policing and control are springing up around the country.
These projects include a police scheme to target people who they believe may commit crimes in future in Sydney (which <a href="https://rlc.org.au/article/policing-young-people-nsw-study-suspect-targeting-management-plan" target="_blank">disproportionately affects Aboriginal people</a>), “<a href="https://westender.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WETA-CPTED-Study.pdf" target="_blank">Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design</a>” guidelines in Brisbane and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-08/city-of-perth-rolls-out-new-facial-recognition-cctv-cameras/11147780" target="_blank">facial recognition systems</a> in Perth.
These examples demonstrate how the perceived neutrality of smart city technology uses stories about progress, modernity and innovation to entrench and disguise existing urban injustices.
Ultimately, the “smart city” in Australia is best understood not as a break with older, analogue modes of governing urban space, but as a continuation of the settler-colonial project of <a href="http://radioskidrow.org/projects/survival-guide" target="_blank">displacement, enclosure and control</a>.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127118/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jathan-sadowski-887412" target="_blank">Jathan Sadowski</a>, Research Fellow in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065" target="_blank">Monash University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anna-carlson-911286" target="_blank">Anna Carlson</a>, Researcher, School of Political Science &amp; International Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/natalie-osborne-282804" target="_blank">Natalie Osborne</a>, Lecturer, School of Environment and Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828" target="_blank">Griffith University</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the original<a href="https://theconversation.com/darwins-smart-city-project-is-about-surveillance-and-control-127118" target="_blank"> article</a>.
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Darwin's smart city project is about surveillance and control

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Increasing sales volumes and moderating prices indicate buyers are seeing ‘fair value’ in Melbourne’s land market compared to runaway price growth in the established market, according to RPM Real Estate Group's latest Residential Market Review.
RPM, Victoria’s biggest land sales agency found in their Q4 report that not only are first home buyers seeing better value in Melbourne’s house and land market given moderating prices (while values in established housing continue to rise), but investors too.
Investors were the missing ingredient throughout most of last year, but RPM’s Q4 report reveals investors are seeing increasing opportunity in Melbourne’s greenfield market.
RPM saw a jump from a share of 24% of all purchases to 37% in the December quarter.<a class="btn modal-button" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/administrator/index.php?option=com_media&amp;view=images&amp;tmpl=component&amp;e_name=jform_articletext&amp;asset=150862&amp;author=38130" title="Image" rel="{handler: 'iframe', size: {x: 800, y: 500}}"> </a>
For the December quarter total lot sales increased 17 per cent to 3,185 lots from the previous quarter.
November recorded the eighth straight month of sales growth.
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/2/24/RPM%20housing%20data.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/2/24/RPM%20housing%20data.JPG" alt="">
(Source: RPM Real Estate Group) 
In the December quarter, other dwelling approvals jumped 78 per cent to 7,284 from the September quarter and 21 per cent compared to the same period a year ago (albeit it came off a record low).
The most substantial increase occurred in apartments, which rose 149 per cent over the quarter and 69 per cent from December 2018, although this sector is coming off a long term low.
The improved December quarter results have helped ease the rolling annual falls, with the townhouse market down 24 per cent and the apartment market down 18 per cent over the past year when compared to the same period a year earlier.
In the development site market, the quarter marked a pronounced turnaround resulting from pent up demand from developers and landowners who held back their properties for most of 2019 until they saw more stable market conditions where their values could again be supported.
Stockland’s acquisition of a large-scale site in Donnybrook Rd for more than $100 million signified a big deal by a big player, and gave other local developers confidence to invest, resulting in deal flows in the back half of the year in excess of $350 million.
In the inner and mid-ring apartment and townhouse market, Mr Kelly said while tentative positive approval numbers provide cautious optimism, the mismatch between supply and demand is still a key challenge.
“New project activity going through the pipeline is vital given once supply is absorbed there will need to be readily available stock to meet demand, otherwise a shortage will occur, putting pressure on vacancy rates, rents and prices overall,” he said.
Melbourne’s median lot price declined 2.1 per cent to $308,900, partly due to a reasonable amount of unsold or overhang stock on the market.
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First homer buyers and investors jumping on Melbourne land market opportunities: RPM Real Estate

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At call savings rates are continuing to fall ahead of the RBA’s meeting next week with the average interest rate cut recorded coming in at 0.17%, according to analysis by financial comparison site Mozo.com.au.
<a href="https://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts" target="_blank">Mozo</a> also found the average ongoing at call savings account rate is now sitting at just 0.97%, well below inflation at 1.80%.
The Big 4’s average rate for at call savings accounts is just 0.66%, 0.31% below the average. ANZ (-5bp), NAB (-11bp) and Westpac (-10bp) have all made significant cuts to their at call savings rates this year.
Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont said, "although the Reserve Bank has left official interest rates on hold since October, it hasn’t stopped some of our biggest banks slicing interest rates of most the popular savings accounts."
“The most recent interest rate cuts by the big banks is not great news for savers but if you are looking for a savings account currently the best ongoing bonus rate in our database today is 2.25%. That’s 1.28% higher than the average."
“If you don’t need to access your savings on a regular basis you could also consider hedging against a further official rate cut by switching to a fixed term deposit,” says Lamont.
Mozo found the average 6 month term deposit rate is 1.48%, with the highest 6 month term deposit rate being 1.95% through Judo Bank.
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Big banks continued with saving rate cuts: Mozo

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Capital city auctions saw a national clearance rate of 77 per cent as 2,446 homes went under the hammer. 
Sydney recorded the highest clearance rate with 81 per cent of listings finding buyers, with Melbourne closely behind at 79 per cent. 
Both major market improved their success rates on higher volumes, CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan noted.
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One year ago, Sydney 801 auctions were held and the clearance rate came in at 50.2 per cent.
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Once again, Melbourne was the busiest auction market with a total of 1,215 auctions , according to CoreLogic. Sydney was the second busiest with 938.
Of the 557 Sydney results captured, 454 homes sold.
A Surry Hills terrace with a colourful brothel past soared $440,000 above reserve selling for $2.87 million at its weekend auction.
It was the first sale in more than 100 years of the three-bedroom Victorian terrace.
It was a suspected former brothel during the Great Depression with links to the infamous madam Tilly Devine.
The Surry Hills terrace attracted 17 registered bidders for the <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/448a-bourke-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010-2016025975">448A Bourke Street</a> premises.
Bidding started at $2.3 million and quickly passing the $2.43 million reserve for the 125-square-metre block.
It sold to the family of wealthy rag trader Michael Gazal.
It was held by the same family for four generations.
The terrace was transferred last for £30 in 1916.
Elizabeth “Granny” Lynn, the vendors great grandmother had been friends with Tilly Devine, hence the reputed association.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/2/CoreLogic_FEB22.png" alt="">
Sydney had the most expensive sale among the capitals when <a href="https://www.simeonpartners.com.au/AB1P0839/15-stanley-avenue-mosman" target="_blank">15 Stanley Avenue, Mosman</a> sold through Simeon Partners for $8,460,000. 
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom early 1980s home had a price guide of $6.5 million.
However, after 21 contracts were issued, and 11 registrations, the selling agent Richard Simeon advised there was "one delighted vendor." 
The Mosman Daily reported there were 65 bids lodged during the 30 minute auction.
The residence situated on 600 sqm was offered to the market for the first time in some 37 years. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/6_FEB22.jpg" alt="">
Sydney's most affordable auction was a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://auburn.randw.com.au/property/0000427274" target="_blank">10/118 Woodbury Road, Berala</a>.<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/unit-8-118-woodburn-rd-berala-nsw-2141" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/unit-8-118-woodburn-rd-berala-nsw-2141" target="_blank"></a>
Built in 1969, the unit fetched $387,000 through R&amp;W. It had last sold at $29,950 in 1979.
Housing commentator Dr Andrew Wilson at My Housing Market noted the Sydney auction market had recorded "the highest for the year so far despite another surge in listings."
Sydney's Northern Beaches secured the highest clearance rate among all sub-regions.
It saw a clearance rate of 95 per cent from 100 auctions, reports CoreLogic.
The Hotspotting housing commentator <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/terry-ryder/110306-northern-beaches-rising-buyer-demand-drives-greater-sydney-to-strongest-sydney-market-hotspotting-s-terry-ryder" target="_blank">Terry Ryder recently suggested</a> among Sydney sub-regions "the leading market is the Northern Beaches."
In Melbourne, of the 970 weekend auction results captured, 772 homes were sold.
The highest residential sale reported in Melbourne was at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-parkville-132827938" target="_blank">69 Fitzgibbon Street, Parkville</a> when the five bedroom Postmaster's residence sold through Woodards for $4,040,000.
Its price guide had been between $3.6 million and $3.9 million given it currently returns $72,000 from the retail and residential components.
The post office lessee is open to staying on at a current annual rental of around $31,000.
It last sold 23 year ago.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/MEL_POST.jpg" alt="">
Built in 1889, the 510 sqm residence features a grand arched hallway and staircase which transitions through to the north-facing lounge area. 
The property has a spacious rear yard accessible via the Post Office Lane. 
The post office at the front of the building is currently leased on a monthly basis by Australia Post.
There was a higher undisclosed sale in Kooyong when three bidders took the top offer for <a href="https://kayburton.com.au/real-estate/house-3-st-martins-close-kooyong-vic-3144-1425126" target="_blank">3 St Martins Close</a> to $5,561,000. It was sold after auction at an undisclosed price.
The Steve Domoney Architecture designed home set in Jack Merlo gardens was a four bedroom, five bathroom home with a study set on a 600 sqm block.
The price guidance had been $5.5 million to $5.9 million.
Melbourne's cheapest auction sale was a beachside apartment at <a href="https://www.hodges.com.au/property/875044/11-62-72-bay-road-sandringham/" target="_blank">11/62-72 Bay Road, Sandringham</a>.
It was the nation's cheapest capital city result.
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment sold two days prior to auction through Hodges Real Estate for $275,000.
The price guide had been $270,000 to $297,000.
Last advertised as a $310 a week rental in 2016, it sold in 2009 at $355,900.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/CHEAPEST_MEL_FEB22.jpg" alt="">
 
Across the smaller auction markets, Canberra recorded the highest preliminary clearance rate of 70 per cent, followed by Brisbane at 62.7 per cent. 
Brisbane's most expensive auction, according to Domain, was the Queenslander at <a href="https://www.belleproperty.com/listings/874529/50-groom-street-gordon-park-qld-4031/" target="_blank">50 Groom Street, Gordon Park</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/2020/2/BRIS_FEB22.jpg" alt="">
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home was sold through Belle Property for $1,950,000
It sat on a 1,214 sqm parcel of land with solar heated pool. 
Meanwhile Domain reported Brisbane's most affordable auction was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at <a href="https://aspley.ljhooker.com.au/unit-in-chermside-qld-4032-au-1wdsf1r#.XlHySS2B3eQ" target="_blank">11/23 Playfield Street, Chermside</a>. 
The 306 sqm unit sold through LJ Hooker for $345,000.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/BRIS3_FEB22.jpg" alt="">
The third-floor apartment in the HQ complex sold at a loss given its last sale in 2008 for $445,000.
It had been a $400 a week rental offering in 2018.
 
 
 
 
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Ragtraders return to Surry Hills as Sydney records highest clearance rate

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Regional NSW is still in the grips of the worst drought on record with 99 per cent of the state still drought affected, despite recent rain in coastal areas and some inland regions.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro today spoke with farmers, families and business owners in Yass, Boorowa, Cowra and Orange about the drought and reassured them that they have not been forgotten.
“The recent downpours were a welcome relief, but people need to understand that many parts of the state did not receive a single drop and that 99 per cent of the state, particularly areas like the Far West, Central West and Southern NSW, remain in drought,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The drought is not over, far from it, and I want farmers, families and businesses to know that, while there has quite rightly been much attention given to firefighting and recovery efforts, our focus and commitment to drought support and response has not wavered.
“I am looking forward to the day I can say the drought has broken but that day is not today. 
“The recent rain has given a lot of communities hope for the future but for those who have missed out it is a tough pill to swallow. We will continue to stand by them until this drought breaks.”
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall said a further 50mm of rain is forecast on the North Coast for the coming week, following similar falls last week, however it will take months of sustained and widespread rainfall to break the drought.
“I’m sure many people have seen photos of green grass sprouting in some drought affected areas, but the reality is this recent growth is not that widespread and will provide only limited nutritional value for livestock,” Mr Marshall said.
“In farming areas, stored soil moisture levels remain very low, which shows the recent rainfall hasn’t provided the nourishing effect needed to improve conditions, while algal blooms and further fish kills remain a very real possibility across multiple regions.”
Mr Barilaro said as of February 2020, more than $1.9 billion has been committed to the Emergency Drought Relief package to help farmers and regional communities, on top of the $1 billion Safe and Secure Water program which is delivering water infrastructure that boosts drought resilience.
“We haven’t stopped and we won’t stop delivering for drought affected communities. Despite the bushfires, the bushfire recovery operation and despite recent rain, our commitment to regional towns suffering through this overwhelming drought is unwavering.”
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Regional NSW is still in grips of worst drought: John Barolaro

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Staff reporter

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