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Sydney-based fund manager iProsperity and Singapore-based fund manager ZACD Group have announced the acquisition of a portfolio of 23 hotels in Australia from Luxembourg hotel investor, AccorInvest. 
The portfolio comprises 17 hotel properties which have been acquired for AUS $212.6 million.
 The transaction also incorporates six leasehold interests to be transferred subject to various conditions.
The transaction in terms of number of hotels is one of Australia’s largest hotel portfolio sales with 3,046 rooms and across Accor brands comprising MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and Ibis Budget. 
The hotels are located in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and regional New South Wales.
The transaction was brokered by Craig Collins and Peter Harper of JLL Hotels &amp; Hospitality Group.
iProsperity have been Australia’s most active hotel investor over the last four years.
ZACD are an integrated asset manager listed in Hong Kong and headquartered in Singapore, offering integrated solutions across the real estate value chain.
Co-Founder and CEO, Stanley Yeo commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with iProsperity on this geographically diverse hotel portfolio. We both hold a strong conviction as to the positive outlook for the Australian hospitality market and we see this portfolio as an excellent vehicle to build a meaningful presence in the Australian hotel market.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

iProsperity and ZACD to acquire 23 AccorInvest hotels

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Ray White Rural South Australia has eight rural properties going under the hammer.
The ongoing growth in farming land values in SA over the past few years has led to this flurry of auctions. 
The offering of Pine Drive (pictured above) presents an opportunity to acquire a 712 hectare parcel of land in the Farrell Flat area.
It's now in its fourth generation and 100th consecutive year of ownership in the same family name, Pine Drive is being offered for sale as a whole.
Ray White Rural SA Director Geoff Schell said some of the higher rainfall areas and more reliable cropping areas had seen capital growth of up to 20 to 30 per cent in the last two years.
<img src="https://f.datasrvr.com/f1/319/14297/Pinerow.JPG">
Mr Schell said, “many of the properties coming on to the market are from those exiting agriculture because they don’t have the next generation coming home to the family farm."
“They’re also coming from those who don’t have the scale of operation for business efficiency or don’t want to or are unable to increase debt levels to invest further into farm expansion."
“With the continuing dry across Australia, we’re also seeing very strong enquiry from within SA and NSW and the drier areas of Victoria for the higher rainfall areas of SA. The south-east region of SA has performed very well when many other areas have struggled."
<img src="https://f.datasrvr.com/f1/119/61884/Schaefer's.JPG"> “With the continued strength of the livestock sector, a number of our clients have sought opportunities to purchase grazing properties in south-east SA and higher rainfall areas of the Mid North and there’s also good enquiry for well-developed SA pastoral properties.
“We're also seeing investor interest in agriculture where both smaller private investors and high net worth investors see agriculture as a key investment area with solid returns and a bright future for the sector.
<img src="https://f.datasrvr.com/f1/419/73637/Smithams.JPG"> “Despite ongoing dry conditions for many areas of SA, many sales of agricultural and grazing land throughout SA have exceeded expectations in the last couple of years. In the reliable rainfall districts, we’ve seen demand outstripping supply. “South-east SA has seen a resurgence in enquiry levels in the past 12 months with buyers looking for the higher rainfall and reliability of this region," he concluded.
Upcoming Auctions for Ray White Rural SA;
<a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W2MERuzm6e+Z6y3Pqqlj1pJcAcFf+Af6RD0LxTw6DAC7b9SGE8BF3zg/3WIOVEW9P0=&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Pine Drive’, Farrell Flat</a> - Wednesday 2nd October, The Valleys Lifestyle Centre, Clare <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W04WNxcLG5N1TFd63ZuBx8H/LXZPPUfE/Iaqyt5d6CuM9ntD1hROEtV&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Smitham’s’, Hart</a> - Wednesday 9th October, The Valleys Lifestyle Centre, Clare <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W1hZ1VESpObD+5epUppz3lYUQ5pqmO8uxXyFpBbN+1s2xG4NT88QDq3Q0KkyI1zr6I=&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Pinerow’, Wirrabara</a> - Tuesday 15th October, Wirrabara Town Hall <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W1hZ1VESpObD66rBHOFEW1zRpgeigMxx789eW4SDO9xHy752u0QoDbUHw0F9UENoU4=&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Stone Hut’, Wirrabara</a> - Tuesday 15th October, Wirrabara Town Hall <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W0ybM1E5dEG1dWaWgP4Lrlp8HLC0+V4yczD/WKlzzRfcoC5HEw3RCUXiCssyNKgJcw=&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Schaefer’s’, Bethel</a> - Thursday 17th October, Dutton Park, Kapunda <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W0ybM1E5dEG1RhovXw1rbB5My9i7JfQFKWpAdmgc3r8JbCKo4tqSok7&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Bagot Well Block’, Bagot Well</a> - Thursday 17th October, Dutton Park, Kapunda <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W3I/1cdNSG2EXnn7u0nOb1vwGKWONmhaxTOP1uR8oGGCS0JQsHKNsdkj+S6My/nAXs=&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Launer’s’ Robertstown</a> - Thursday 17th October, Dutton Park Kapunda <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1Iv0mRHy/+dfphG6yLgAlW42AdMS8CdJ6URjGVdlxj6YlGgsGsZN3W1hZ1VESpObD66rBHOFEW1zuWA28l3Esur8rsJaQvazRlnRNmAmt+qu&amp;rh=ff00527bf108b4e4e8f335fe774bbd1e785f7c51" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">‘Cobiacs’ Wirrabara</a> - Thursday 24th October, Wirrabara Town Hall.
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Pine Drive in Farrel Flat, SA offered after a century: Ray White

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ASIC is seeking the public’s view of school banking programs as part of its ongoing review of their use and impact in primary schools.
Members of the public and organisations interested in the issue are encouraged to respond to questions posed in the <a href="https://consultation.asic.gov.au/financial-capability/review-school-banking-programs/" target="_blank">Consultation Paper 323</a>, Review of school banking programs.
Community opinions will help inform the development of high-level principles on the implementation of school banking programs.
ASIC Commissioner Sean Hughes said, "Young people are engaging with money every day and they need to understand financial concepts and develop the skills to identify financial services that are right for them. Financial literacy is embedded in the Australian Curriculum, and needs to be – and there is a long history of school banking programs in Australian schools."
"It is important for ASIC to understand the range and extent of impacts that school banking programs can have on students, parents and school communities, as part of our responsibility to ensure the financial sector is delivering for all Australians, and especially for future generations of financial consumers."
ASIC has already consulted with a diverse range of stakeholders including primary school principals, parents, present and past students and organisations from the education and consumer advocacy sectors, as well as the authorised deposit-taking institutions offering the programs.
It is expected the review will be completed in early 2020.
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ASIC is seeking public input on school banking programs

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Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, the Mirvac chief executive, has spent $770,500 to buy a bolthole in Mirvac's recently completed development in Melbourne, the Eastbourne, which boasts apartments as an "inner city Eden".
She has recently noted securing her mortgage had been a "painful process."
"It's tortuous."
The scrutiny can "get non-sensical" she added. 
Title documents reveal her banker is Westpac.
The Killara-based Lloyd-Hurwitz had been known to be an off the plan buyer since the complex went up for sale in the pre-Royal Commission days of 2016.
Buyers of the apartments have also emerged as including Mirvac director Elana Rubin who spent $1.89 million.
There have now been calls for the Mirvac annual report to list such purchases in its related-party disclosure requirements.
Mirvac argues no specific declaration about an acquisition is required because shareholders were on notice that its directors had the opportunity to purchase apartments.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian.
 
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Mirvac boss calls mortgage approval process 'tortuous' after buying Melbourne investment apartment

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The Brisbane CBD office market will benefit from continued growth in Queensland’s economy, according to the latest research from Knight Frank.
Their Brisbane CBD Office Market Overview found the underlying growth story of Brisbane and Queensland remains, with employment in the office-based sectors to show sustained growth, despite economic growth forecasts moderating due to global factors.
Knight Frank Partner Research and Consulting Queensland and report author Jennelle Wilson said, “forecast employment growth is expected to be a standout in 2019 with the Brisbane region to record 25,000-plus more jobs in the core office-based industries, according to Oxford Economics"
“While 2020 is expected to be lower, the coming five years will average 10,500 office based jobs per annum."
The Knight Frank findings showed tenant demand in the Brisbane CBD office market had remained steady with net absorption positive and vacancy decreasing to 11.9%, the lowest level in seven years, and down from 14.6% a year earlier.
Knight Frank Partner and Joint Head of Office Leasing Mark McCann said, the finance and insurance industry accounted for 26% of tenant activity over 2018 and 2019 due to the Suncorp pre-commitment to 80 Ann Street, followed by government and public administration at 22%, and resources and energy at 10%. 
“For the past 12 months both the CBD and fringe markets have recorded positive net absorption, ending the period of one market stealing tenants from the other," he said.
Supply additions in the market through late 2019 and early 2020,  will place a gap on further near-term vacancy falls, with vacancy expected to tick slightly upwards to reach 12.5% in January 2020.
From 2020 onwards the vacancy rate will resume a downward trend.
Ms Wilson said effective rental growth has continued in the Brisbane CBD office market, as vacancy has decreased and demand remains positive, with prime and secondary effective rents growing by 1.2% and 5.6% year-on-year respectively to July 2019.
“The majority of uplift is coming from face rents as incentive erosion has slowed. Tenants are motivated to relocate and upgrade where capital costs are mitigated.”
"Investment volumes in the Brisbane CBD office market are high, sitting at $2.86 billion over the year to September, roughly $1 billion higher than the corresponding period one year earlier ($1.82 billion)," she said.
While sales over 2018 were dominated by offshore buyers, there has been a noticeable decline in the level of direct transactions being undertaken by offshore buyers during 2019, according to the research.
The data shows the balance between domestic and offshore buyers has flipped in the 2019 calendar year to date, with offshore purchasing representing only 17% of transactions, compared with 73% in 2018. 
Yields in Brisbane’s CBD office market have continued to tighten, although the pace of contraction is reducing.
Mr McGrath noted, “Compressing by 23 basis points over the past year, Brisbane CBD yields are starting to move more in line with the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs.” 
“This comes after a period of accelerated yield compression as Brisbane was re-rated by investors," said Mr McGrath.
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Outlook positive for Brisbane's CBD office market: Knight Frank

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The Melbourne auction market had a weekend off, while Sydney saw its busiest Saturday so far this year.
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There was a significant drop in the auctions volume across the combined capital cities, with 1,262 homes taken to auction, down on the 1,983 auctions held in the prior week.
 The overall lower activity was mostly attributable to the drop in activity across Melbourne given the AFL grand final long weekend.
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The Sydney auction market had its busiest weekend for auctions since November last year, with 939 homes taken to market over the week.
There were 719 Saturday auctions, with 558 results captured and 442 sold.
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It reflected a preliminary clearance rate for Saturday of 79 percent - which was slightly higher than the prior weekend, suggesting demand was keeping up with supply.
Last year, 608 Sydney homes were auctioned when a much lower 43 per cent sold, Kevin Brogan the CoreLogic auction analyst noted.
Saturday's highest result in Sydney was when seven registered bidders sought the five-bedroom, three-bathroom offering on Cherry Street, Warrawee (pictured main).
It fetched $5.35 million when sold to a local family whose son attended nearby Knox Grammar.
Sydney's cheapest was $290,000 at Greenwich for a studio unit within a 1965 apartment complex (below).
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The unit, at 303/284 Pacific Highway, had 26 sq m of open plan space with a kitchenette.
There was a covered car space on title. The flat previously sold in mid-2005 for $160,000.
It has been rented out to tenants since, with a most recent advertised price of $335 per week.
It was sold by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agents Justine Collins and Lloyd Allen.
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Melbourne saw a significant drop in volumes with only 103 homes taken to auction, down from the week prior when 1,020 Melbourne homes were taken to auction. 
The lower volumes returned a preliminary auction clearance rate of 82.5 percent, coming in higher than last week’s final clearance rate of 75.6 per cent and last year’s 57.7per cent when there were the 70 auctions.
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First home buyers secured the four bedroom, two bathroom offering at <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1FUm79H1eIB70W+u2VuCzsdNyWoyjKrjdyivCTgwf18/FNllg72X7zS86C8pouCB9GqSidTrutcWDvUbMQcPh/FGv07iJCzp49gxkly4IgCQ&amp;rh=ff00527bcb13770fbf5ade1e654082af1e50531d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">382 Dandelion Drive, Rowville</a> (below).
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The Ray White marketing suggested the home needed TLC, with keen renovators bidding after the initial bid of $480,000.
There were five bidders for the house which was called on the market at $620,000. A young couple paid $760,000.
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Across the smaller auction markets, auction volumes were lower week-on-week across all cities. 
The best performing in terms of clearance rates was Adelaide with 62 per cent of auctions returning a successful result, Canberra followed with a 58 per cent preliminary auction clearance rate.
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There was a 50 percent success rate in Brisbane where the top sale was a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house at New Farm<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/77-langshaw-street-new-farm-qld-4005-2015602762">,</a> in Brisbane’s inner north (below).
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The Queenslander at 77 Langshaw Street attracted six registered bidders when sold for $2,195,000.
It last sold in 1988 at $205,000.
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Sydney weekend auction results remain strong

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An Ashby, West Australia mortgagee home has been listed for $429,000.
If it sells at or below that asking price it would mark the second consecutive reduction in value for the property.
Sheldon Ingham of LJ Hooker is currently marketing the house.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-ashby-131739414" target="_blank">28 Gausson Turn</a>, the abode is comprised of four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two car garage.
Set on 570 square metre, the house was built in 2003.
The home last sold in 2012 for $455,000 and previously in 2007 it sold for $475,000.
The one story home is located within walking distance of parks and in close proximity to schools, shopping and public transport in nearby Wanneroo.
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The median sale price for an apartment in <a href="/developments/ashby-wa-6065">Ashby, WA</a> is $445,000, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Ashby, WA mortgagee home listed for less than its 2007 sale price

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An Innaloo, West Australia mortgagee home has been sold for $390,000.
The asking price for the home was originally $495,000 when it was listed in 2017.
Matt McWaters and Tony John of Harcourts Empire marketed the listing in this latest campaign.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-villa-wa-innaloo-131419346" target="_blank">13A Morris Road</a>, the villa previously transacted for $485,000 back in 2008.
Set on 251 square metres, the three bedroom, two bathroom town house is described in the listing as a "spacious entertainer".
The abode was listed as a rental seeking $425 per week a day after it was sold, according to CoreLogic.
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One of a complex of four, it is located opposite the convenient Morris Place shopping centre.
It's within walking distance of public transport, schools, parks, restaurants and entertainment.
The home was listed as a rental as recently as April 2018 seeking $400 per week, down from the $450 per week it sought in July 2017 and $470 per week it was asking for in April 2017.
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The median sale price for a home in <a href="/developments/innaloo-wa-6018">Innaloo</a> is $545,000, according to CoreLogic, which calculate the annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -0.4%.
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Innaloo, WA mortgagee home sold for $95,000 loss

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A Margaret River, WA mortgagee has been listed for $265,000.
The unit was listed for $312,500 when it was first put on the market in September 2018.
The asking price has been reduced five times to where it is now.
Megan Booth of First National is currently marketing the property.
Situated at 9/7 Honeyeater Loop, the abode comprises a two bedroom, one bathroom townhouse with a double carport.
Set on 192 square metres, the two storey holding features solar passive design, 220 gallon rainwater tank and a number of modern features.
It was listed as a rental in 2009 seeking $295 per week and now in 2019 seeking $320 per week.
The property last sold for $361,000 in 2008.
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The median sale price for an apartment in <a href="/developments/margaret-river-wa-6285">Margaret River</a> is $444,000, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Margaret River mortgagee listing drops asking price for the fifth time 

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A Burnside, South Australia mortgagee home has been sold for $1,175,000.
The four bedroom three bathroom house remained on market for 869 days.
It was originally listed for $2.1 million - $2.3 million in January 2017.
Julianne Sheffield of Sheffield Real Estate marketed the property.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-burnside-129915102" target="_blank">709 Greenhill Road</a>, the abode holds views over the hills, the plains, the city and the sea.
Set on 1,346 square metres, the split level floor plan offers multiple living areas and a parents retreat.
The 2013 built home also features a swimming pool.
The holding last sold for $442,500 in 2007 when a different house was present on the lot. 
Following the 2007 sale the home spent almost 1500 days on the market before it was knocked down and reconstructed in 2013.
The home has been unsuccessful at auction twice over the duration of the latest campaign.
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The median sale price for an apartment in <a href="/developments/burnside-sa-5066">Burnside, SA</a> is $960,000, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Burnside, SA mortgagee home sells after $1.15 million asking price reduction

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

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One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

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There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

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A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

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"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

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The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

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The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

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Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

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While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

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That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

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The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

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The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

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Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

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.

<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/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"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.

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Staff reporter

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