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A converted warehouse apartment by famed Allan Jack+Cottier at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nsw-darlinghurst-132756978" target="_blank">15-19 Boundary Street</a> was sold today.
The modern Darlinghurst apartment was sold on site through Bresic Whitney for $880,000. 
The one-bedroom apartment features double-height, floor-to-ceiling glass, oak floorboards, fully-tired bathroom, and laundry, intercom entry, and a parking space on the edge of Sydney. 
The former stocking factory was bought during the height of New York's warehouse trend and redeveloped into residential spaces.
A 1949 survey map reveals the 15-19 Boundary Street factory site was known as the Lustre Hosiery Limited who employed a large number of women to work the manufacturing machinery to make stockings, socks, pyjamas. The company existed from the 1920s to the 1960s, and its warehouse has been preserved ever since.
It became apart of the October 15, 1929 edition of The Textile Journal of Australia which is available in the photographic archive of the Mitchell Library, NSW.
<a href="https://www.rwebay.com.au/9-15-19-boundary-street-former-warehouse-rushcutters-bay/" target="_blank">Professional heritage consultant, Andrew Woodhouse</a> explains that the "large concrete pylons are evidence of the strength of the floors required to support heavy industrial machinery.
"Large metal-framed windows are retained and indicate the n need for natural light, a safety requirement for women labouring on the factor floor."
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Converted warehouse apartment in Darlinghurst sold 

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A four-bedroom family home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-132909122" target="_blank">Cullens Lanem, Hunters Hill</a> was sold through Bresic Whitney. 
The 465 sqm parcel of land fetched $2,980,000. 
The property has had an impressive <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/2-cullens-lane-hunters-hill-nsw-2110?pid=p4ep-pdp%7Csold-pdp:property-history-cta#timeline" target="_blank">record of sales</a>, it was first sold in 2016 for $2,660,000, initially sold for $410,000 in 1996, and sold on four other occasions between.
The property is tucked in a laneway position and is surrounded by greenery. 
The home features poolside lawns, entertainment terraces, air-conditioning throughout, and a king master bedroom with built-in wardrobes. 
 
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Peninsula family home in Hunters Hill sold

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A five-bedroom luxury home on Crown Road, Queenscliff has been sold through Cunninghams for $3,967,500 today. 
The beachside residence previously sold for $1,375,000 in 2007.
Built approximately 10 years ago, the house received a Master Builder award for its architectural design. 
The home has multiple living spaces with a range of outdoor entertaining zones including a covered entertainer's deck that overlooks the garden and swimming pool. 
The bedrooms are situated upstairs, and equipped with air-condition units, ceiling fans. The master suit has an en-suite with double shower and vanity, and a walk-in wardrobe.
There is a second living area  for guest accommodation with a bedroom with ensuite.
The 650 sqm property sits between Freshwater and Manly beach. 
 
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Queenscliff beachside family home sold

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REIWA is warning against dropping the current 75 per cent rebate on off-the-plan purchases.
Stamp duty is one of the biggest barriers to home ownership so REIWA is asking all political parties to focus on ways to extend this initiative.
REIWA president, Damian Collins said REIWA supports the concept of relief for apartment buyers off-the-plan and believe it would be a step backwards to remove the rebate.
"Stamp duty relief for off-the-plan sales not only helps the government to meet its target of 47 per cent of new dwellings in infill locations, but it helps increase the speed of transition from apartment sales to actual construction activity," said Mr Collins.
“Rather than removing an initiative that is already in place to help people get into their home sooner, we should be looking at expanding this to include completed projects to help reduce current stock levels, and projects that are currently under construction.
“In addition, any relief provided for off-the-plan sales should be made permanent to give the development industry certainty when planning for future projects.
“REIWA asks all political parties to commit to stamp duty relief for off-the-plan purchases. There is a lot that can be done to help both the WA economy and the property market. Let’s focus on moving forward rather than backwards.”
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REIWA warns against dropping rebate on off-the-plan purchases

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Gosford has taken out the No.1 spot in RiskWise’s 2020 list of Top 10 Danger Zones.

RiskWise Property Research CEO Doron Peleg said the NSW suburb topped the list due to a number of factors including the recent bushfire risk, oversupply of units (at more than 72 per cent of existing stock) and that units unsuitable for families were not in high demand.

“It is hard to convince prospective buyers that this is the best investment they can make when there are plenty of other options available,” Mr Peleg said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317]

“Another at-risk area is the suburb of Mascot with 1,061 units in the pipeline, at an addition of 17.67% to existing stock, and where news of the construction defects impacted the entire suburb.

“Areas outside of Sydney and Melbourne, such as Darwin, experienced overall weakness in the property market due to low population growth (the Northern Territory was the only state in Australia that experienced population loss in 2017-18). Darwin units delivered -33.7 per cent capital growth over the last five years.”

<img alt="" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/2/14/RiskWise%20DangerZONES.JPG">

He said while apartment prices in Sydney and Melbourne were enjoying price rises, this was not the case in high-supply areas.

“The best case scenario in these areas is they are simply underperforming the market, but the worst case scenario is they are actually losing money,” Mr Peleg said.

“For example, while Domain’s latest House Price Report shows in the 2019 December quarter prices rose 4.3 per cent, this was not the case in suburbs with high oversupply and particularly those affected by construction defects, such as Mascot where prices fell 4.6 per cent to $880,000. In Homebush West, where the Centenary Park building is located, prices also fell 9.3 per cent to $565,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227]

“These areas not only have the risk of being in the Danger Zone due to oversupply but also construction defect risk.

“For example, the number of apartment sales in Sydney Olympic Park fall dramatically by 75 per cent following the defects identified in Opal Tower with buyers showing little interest for apartments across the suburb.

“What we are seeing is that new units in high-supply suburbs either resulted in a loss or underperformed the market, even during periods of strong price increases.

“The recent downturn is not the major factor in those losses - even ignoring the recent downturn and then recovery, they are still materially underperforming the market.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201]

According to analysis by BIS Oxford Economics in April last year, two-thirds of Melbourne apartments sold off the plan during the eight-year period between 2011 and 2019 either made no price gains or lost money on resale. In Brisbane, this figure was 50 per cent and in Sydney about a quarter.

Figures from the Real Estate Institute of Australia also show the Brisbane unit market continued to underperform in 2019, resulting in negative 1.2 per cent growth.

Mr Peleg said HIA figures showed building approvals in the 2019 calendar year were 18.5 per cent lower compared to 2018.

“This is well below their peak indicating the demand for off-the-plan units has reduced,” he said. “The expectation was that over time, and with the reduction in dwellings under construction, the stock would be absorbed.

“However, we have recently seen an increase in high-rise dwelling approvals and the risk of losses from buying off-the-plan is increasing. The point is the risks are very tangible, they have been realised and we have witnessed major price reductions in a number of areas with oversupply.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6798]

“It should be noted that even in phenomenal boomtimes, based on that eight-year perspective, when you buy off-the-plan apartments in high-supply areas there is a greater risk, and the construction defects only compound this.

“It is not only financial risk but also the newly emerging construction risk.

“Finally, the potential re-introduction of credit restrictions by the regulator would likely have a material impact on investors, generally are the majority of new apartment buyers in those areas, and further increases the potential risk of low demand and underperformance of these investments.

“The major objective of investors is to build equity and in the current market conditions the most effective way to do so is to simply invest in existing properties that are suitable for families in high-demand areas,” he concluded.
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Gosford is the biggest property dangerzone of 2020: RiskWise

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Residential land sales have increased by 45.9 per cent from their record low in the March 2019 quarter, according to the February 2020 edition of the HIA-CoreLogic Residential Land Report.
HIA Economist, Angela Lillicrap said, "the first half of 2019 was particularly rough for the residential building industry, with falling house prices, uncertainty surrounding the election and the credit squeeze all weighing on confidence."
“Leading indicators in the final months of 2019 show that the housing market has improved and the increased demand for residential land is further proof of this."
“A shortage of land is one of the factors that has driven home prices to increase over the past decade. With demand for land picking up, it is important that an adequate supply is maintained each year to avoid undue pressure on housing affordability,” concluded Ms Lillicrap.
According to Eliza Owen, CoreLogic’s Head of Residential Research, “Demand for land and dwellings has rebounded strongly from June last year, which is also reflected in a 6.7% rebound in national dwelling values over the past 7 months."
"The strength of the rebound comes from a halved cash rate between June and October last year, the re-election of the Coalition Government providing certainty around negative gearing and capital gains concessions, and ongoing demand for owner-occupier dwellings as the millennial cohort moves through the first home buyer age bracket of 25-34."
"Prices for land and housing are likely to rise further over 2020, though this may be slightly mitigated by higher listing levels coming to market, as sellers take advantage of price increases,” she concluded.
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Demand for residential land is on the rise: HIA

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A Piara Waters, West Australia mortgagee home is now under offer following an increase in the asking price.
Originally seeking $505,000 when listed in early January, home is now listed for $545,000.
Cameron Wilson of the Proffessionals is marketing the four bedroom, two bathroom house.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-piara+waters-132729506" target="_blank">30 Medawar Loop</a>, the abode was built in 1950.
It last sold for $340,000 in late 2006.
Set on 502 sqm, the listing notes, "there are solar panels on the roof and the lawns are dead."
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a house in <a href="/news">Piara Waters</a> is $471,000 according to CoreLogic data.
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Piara Waters, WA mortgagee home under offer after raising asking price

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A Montmorency, Victoria mortagee home is set for auction later this month.
It goes to auction with a price guide of $790,000 - $850,000.
If it were to sell within this range it would represent a significant increase in value on its 2006 sale price of $340,000.
Daniel Leibowitz and Max Jones of Darren Jones are marketing the three bedroom two bathroom house.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-montmorency-132833578" target="_blank">23A Airlie Road</a>, the home is set on a 706 sqm block.
The abode was built in 1950 and is according to the listing, "mostly original."
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a house in <a href="/developments/montmorency-vic-3094">Montmorency</a> is $834,000 according to CoreLogic data.
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Montmorency, Victoria mortgagee home set for auction

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A Chermside West, Queensland home has been listed as a mortgagee sale for $475,000.
The value sought is a reduction of $37,500 from its previous sale price of $512,500 back in 2015.
Zac McHardy of Harcourts is currently marketing the property.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-chermside+west-132954694" target="_blank">15/397 Trouts Road</a>, it is a three bedroom, two bathroom townhouse.
It is located in 'Hamilton 853', a "boutique complex of contemporary modern townhomes which... sold out very quickly when released in 2015," according to the marketing material.
Set on 155 sqm, the home was previously listed for a year starting in August 2018 for $498,000 - $520,000 which was reduced to "mid $400,000's" by the end of the campaign.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a house in <a href="/developments/chermside-west-qld-4032">Chermside West</a> is $585,000, according to CoreLogic data.
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Chermside West, Queensland mortgagee home listed for minor reduction in value

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A Gosnells, West Australia home has been listed as a mortgagee sale for $250,000, following an unusuccessful two year campaign.
Originally listed for $399,000 to $439,000 during the 2017-2019 marketing campaign, it is now being offered for $250,000.
Rick Rispoli of LJ Hooker is marketing the three bedroo, two bathroom house.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-gosnells-132472226" target="_blank">22A Bert Street</a>, the home last sold for $380,000 in 2015.
Set on 935 sqm, the listing described the home as "suited for the savvy investor/developer" as it is zoned R30/R40.
Built in 1956, the home was listed as a rental seeking $220/pw in 2018.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a house in <a href="/news">Gosnells</a> is $276,000, according to CoreLogic data.
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Gosnells, WA mortgagee home listed for $130,000 reduction in value

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.

<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/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

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."

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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."

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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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