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The increasing migration of flexible office space to areas outside of major metropolitan cities globally is creating a ‘flex economy’ that could contribute more than $11.5 billion AUD to local Australian economies, according to a first of its kind Regus study.
They found an individual business centre in Australia would create 222 permanent jobs at a national level (ranking seventh highest out of the 19 countries analysed) and 122 net local jobs.
In Australia, an average business centre will generate $31.21 million AUD in GVA per annum, with $16.87 million AUD going into local economies.
Time saved by employees avoiding the commute would be 8,105 hours per hour, this equates to roughly 337 days or 48 weeks.
By 2029, this means over 80,000 jobs created within business centres across the nation, providing net additional employment opportunities for local residents amounting to over 44,000 jobs, alongside $11.5 billion AUD of annual value, of which $5.99 billion AUD would be retained by local economies.
Steve Lucas of Development Economics, and report author, said “this study reveals a shift in jobs and capital-growth moving outside of city centres, where it has been focused for the last few decades, into suburban locations."
"This can benefit businesses and people, from improving productivity and innovation, to reducing commuting time, which leads to improved health and wellbeing” he said.
Read the <a href="https://www.regus.com/suburban-economic-survey" target="_blank">full report here</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Flexible workspaces to contribute $11.5 billion to local Australian economies: Regus

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Global supply chain solutions provider, CHEP, has been announced as the latest tenant to join Perth's Roe Highway Logistics Park.
The 56-hectare industrial park launched in February is located adjacent to the State Government’s Kenwick Rail Freight Facility, offering Category RAV 7 Network accessibility from both Roe and Tonkin Highways.
CHEP will occupy a four-hectare lot, with a custom-designed 9,000 square metre facility, set for completion mid-next year. 
Linc Property’s Judd Dyer said securing CHEP, a subsidiary of ASX listed Brambles (BXB), as a major tenant reflected the growing demand for new premium industrial estates in central locations.
Phil Darbyshire, Regional Operations Manager at CHEP Australia, said that relocating to the Roe Highway Logistics Park will allow CHEP to centralise its Western Australian operations. 
In addition to amenity, Roe Highway Logistics Park offers a range of sustainability initiatives including storm water management, solar energy and on-site treatment and recycling of waste water.
Over 50% of the site is already committed, the final stage of civil and landscaping works for Roe Highway Logistics Park anticipated to be complete by the end of the year.
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Other confirmed tenants and businesses include Northline, Brady, K Trans WA, Expro, BP, Silk Contract Logistics, JOEST, Dynapumps and Fuwa K Hitch.
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CHEP is the latest tenant at Perth's Roe Highway Logistics Park

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The latest data from the Commonwealth Bank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) series released today shows the sharp increase in home buying intentions is continuing.
CBA’s Chief Economist Michael Blythe said, “The sharp upswing in home buying intentions continues and intentions are now approaching the record highs seen in early 2017.”
Current HSI readings are consistent with an ongoing increase in dwelling prices and a bottoming out in residential construction activity.
“The ongoing improvement in the home buying intentions series indicates that the low point for residential building construction will probably be around mid 2020,” he added.
Mr Blythe said retail spending intentions show a modest improvement is in place.
“The latest edition of the Commonwealth Bank HSI series, which incorporates data to the end of October, supports the RBA’s view that the economy has reached a ‘gentle turning point’. But the improvement is quite modest given the size of tax rebates and interest rate cuts delivered in recent months,” Mr Blythe said.
“By fuelling fears about the economic outlook, rate cuts are probably blunting some of the potential boost from tax rebates and rising house prices,” he added.
Mr Blythe also noted that trends in some non-retail spending look reasonably encouraging.
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Home buying intentions approaching boomtime levels: CBA

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Hometime, Airbnb’s leading property management partner in the APAC region, has raised a further $6.7 million on top of a recent $6 million funding round completed in May 2019.
The round includes NAB Ventures, backed by one of Australia’s largest banks.
In addition, Hometime has completed two more acquisitions in the most recent quarter - Host My Home in Cairns and bnbpal in Melbourne.
NAB Ventures and AS1 Growth Partners said Hometime’s rapid expansion combined with its scalable business model in a high growth sector attracted them to the company.
Further, a strategic alignment between National Australia Bank and Hometime businesses could see NAB’s retail customers access Hometime’s services to build alternative income streams for their investment properties.
Co-Founder &amp; COO of Hometime, William Crock, said Hometime will use the additional funds to rapidly accelerate growth through acquisition and market expansion - both in Australia and internationally.
Mr Crock said, “the global short stay property rental market will approach US$115 billion in 2019 compared to approximately US$40 billion in 2010 representing an average annualised growth of 13%. As the largest and fastest growing operator in Australia we plan to capitalise on these tailwinds and drive further growth over the coming years as the market matures and consolidates."
“Hometime now supports home owners in nine cities across Australia and New Zealand with many more on the horizon," he added.
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Australian Airbnb property management startup Hometime raised another $6.7 million

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Investors in North Sydney remain predominately offshore, with cross-border purchasers accounting for more than two thirds of total investments this year to date, according to the latest report from CI Australia on the North Sydney market.
They found that of the $1.53B invested into commercial assets in the North Sydney CBD last year, Canadian funds represented the largest portion of investment by dollar volume, followed closely by investors in Hong Kong and Singapore.
An influx of coworking spaces can be observed in North Sydney over the last few months, with the expansion of companies such as WeWork &amp; Regus, an additional 7,000 sqm has entered the market, bringing the total up to 23,700 sqm.
The introduction of coworking would likely have the largest impact on the smaller end of the market, with vacancy of secondary suites already rising over the last few months. In the long run, these spaces may even assist in fostering healthy competition, leading to increased flexibility and shorter terms for tech tenants.
CI said, "boosted by the low-interest rate environment, prime yields on commercial real estate in North Sydney are currently at an all time low."
"Recent transactions have seen fully-leased yields in the low 4% range - levels on par with those observed in the Sydney CBD."
"Following substantial growth in rents over the last 3 year, rental levels are now tending towards stability and will continue to increase with the rates applicable to annual review," they noted
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North Sydney office market yields are at all time lows: CI Australia

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A Northam, West Australia mortgagee house has sold for $60,000.
The sale represents a loss of $111,000 compared to the previous sale price, a 60% reduction in value.
Lui Marcelli of Country Real Estate marketed the property.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-northam-131719218" target="_blank">24 Charles Street</a>, the abode consists of a three bedroom one bathroom house.
Set on 556 square metres, the home comprises 120 square metres of internal space.
Last sold in 2009, the house transacted for $171,000.
The 1950 built home was offered with an asking price of $85,000.
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The median price for a house in <a href="/developments/northam-wa-6401">Northam</a> is $222,500 according to CoreLogic.
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Northam, WA mortgagee home sold for less than half price

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An Ashmont, New South Wales mortgagee home has sold for $68,900.
The house last sold for $125,500 in 2013.
This latest sale marks a loss of $56,600.
Richard Rossiter of LJ Hooker marketed the property.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-ashmont-132164902" target="_blank">48 Mumford Street</a>, the abode is comprised of three bedrooms and one bathroom.
Set on 684 square metre, the home sold at auction on November 14.
It has been listed as a rental seeking $230 per week in 2013 and multiple times in 2015.
The property was built in 1980.
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The median sale price for a home in <a href="/developments/ashmont-nsw-2650">Ashmont</a> is $199,00, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Ashmont, NSW mortgagee home sold at near half price

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Sydney and Melbourne weekend auction clearance rates both sat at 77 percent this week.
Melbourne saw 1,241 homes taken to auction, the second busiest auction tally this year. 
It was quieter that last year's 1,400 offerings when the success rate was just 41 percent.
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Sydney had 932 homes taken to auction, up slightly on the same time last year when 875 auctions were held returning a final clearance rate of 42 per cent, according to CoreLogic.
There were "robust results for sellers generally despite the typical late spring rise in listings," Dr Andrew Wilson at My Housing Market advised.
"Buyer and now seller confidence has clearly regenerated this spring with results continuing to track well above those recorded a year ago.
"Latest economic news however remains underwhelming with the jobless rate rising, employment falling and wages growth declining – all likely to contribute to another cut in interest rates which will certainly help to keep housing markets ticking over," Dr Wilson suggested.<a id="mlk-60" class="text text-link" href="https://blackshaw.com.au/staff-profiles/1024-mario-sanfrancesco" target="_self"> </a>
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The highest confirmed weekend residential sale was in Sydney's Maroubra for $7 million (pictured above and below).
The Phillips Pantzer Donnelley offering, known as North End, had $6.5 million price guidance.
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The 1950s home was being offered for the first time in five decades. Five of the six bidders were developers, one of whom secured the 544 sqm site.
There was also a $6.05 million sale in Strathfield marketed through Joseph Georges at Georges Ellis &amp; Co.
With some 660 sqm of living space, the luxury five bedroom, five bathroom Barker Road home on an 1889 sqm block was listed after 18 years ownership. 
Melbourne's top sale was a development site in Brighton at $4.05 million (below).
The 768 sqm site, 1&amp;3 Collins Street, had been listed with $3.5 million to $3.85 million price hopes through Campbell Cooney at Hodges.
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It came with two brick veneer homes plus duplex development approval.
The next dearest home was the five bedroom offering at 14 Neath Street, Surrey Hills for $3,843,000, some $543,000 above reserve.
A West Footscray unit sold for $216,000 was Melbourne's cheapest auction outcome, after being listed with a $190,000 to $209,000 price guide.
The ground-floor Rupert Street apartment came with one bedroom and bathroom, plus off-street parking. 
Located just 10km from the CBD, the 1970s-built home last traded in 2005 for $112,000.
West Footscray's median unit price is $455,000.
Deon Dardha, from Hockingstuart Yarraville, sold the property. 
There were 2,571 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities last week, up from 2,412 over the previous week making it the second busiest auction week of the year.
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The national preliminary result showed a clearance rate of 74 per cent, compared to last week’s final clearance rate of 70 per cent.
"One year ago, 2,745 auctions were held across the combined capitals, with only 42 percent returning a successful result," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan said.
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Across the smaller auction markets, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth saw fewer homes taken to auction week-on-week.
 Tasmania saw no change in auction numbers week-on-week while Adelaide saw an increase in auction volumes week-on-week.
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Canberra saw a $3,675,000 sale in Yarralumla.
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The five bedroom house at 8 Hunter St (below) was sold through Mario Sanfrancesco at the Peter Blackshaw agency.
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Their marketing said the 2,829 sqm block with native gardens came with court and pool. 
It had last sold at $605,000 in 1997.
An $80,000 sale was the weekend's cheapest sale which came at an Adelaide auction.
It was a fire damaged property at Elizabeth North.
The 44 Charford St, Elizabeth North offering was listed under instructions from The City of Playford.
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Regional Victoria saw a converted World War II bunker at Yelta sell for $250,000.
Built in 1941 by the Royal Australian Air Force to store fuel for its nearby Mildura base, it closed in 1945.
Located close to the Murray River, it was converted into a four-bedroom house by vendor Stephen Gooding.
The Herald Sun reported the young buyers plan to renovate the bunker’s top floor as it is still a shell.
The bunker, set on 5000 sqm, was listed with a $260,000 to $280,000 price guide through Professionals Mildura agent Tony Graham.
The buyers were from nearby Merbein. 
 
 
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Development sites top Sydney and Melbourne's strong weekend auctions

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A piece of Box Hill real estate history, known as the Governor Bligh's Hunting Lodge, has come onto the market.
Located at Lot 906 Timbercrest Street, the property was built in 1870.
It has been maintained by descendants of the Terry family.
According to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, it was used by the family for expeditions as part of the Sydney Hunt Club.
Henry Montgomery, a stonemason, is believed to have leased the property in the mid-19th century, and may have been commissioned by landowner Samuel Henry Terry to build the stone lodge.
Up until the 1970s it was also surrounded by a small moat. 
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The residence sits on a 2736 square metre block, with sprawling views of the surrounding suburbs and parklands.
Originally built entirely of sandstone and timber, the cottage is ordained with Gothic Revival architecture and features three bathrooms, timber flooring, an open fireplace, and a large loft space.
A new slate roof and galvanised guttering was installed September 2017.
Box Hill's median house price is $829,000.
John Kelly and Fiona Spindlow, from Starr Partners Riverstone, listed the property.
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Governor Bligh's Hunting Lodge at Box Hill listed for sale

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An Abbotsford, Victoria mortgagee apartment has been sold for $351,000.
The home last sold for $429,000 when it was purchased off the plan in 2011.
As a result this sale marks a $78,000 loss for the vendor.
Chris O'Shaughnessy and Emily Sayers of Biggin &amp; Scott marketed the one bedroom one bathroom apartment.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-abbotsford-132085578" target="_blank">107B/609-615 Victoria Street</a>, the home was built in 2014.
Featuring 50 square metres of internal space, the home was offered to the market seeking $320,000.
Located in the Green Square complex, the north facing home has access to services like a heated pool, gym, communal gardens, BBQ, library, meeting rooms and private entertainment facilities.
The home was first listed as a rental shortly after its purchase in 2014 seeking $390 per week and later that year and in 2015 for $380 per week. 
Later in 2016 it sought $390 per week and most recently in 2018 $395 per week. However according to the listing the unit has "rent potential up to $450 per week".
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The median sale price for a unit in <a href="/developments/abbotsford-vic-3067">Abbotsford</a> is $496,500, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Abbotsford, Victoria mortgagee home sold for $78,000 loss

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

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