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Sweetwater, a property consisting of two homes on one 40 acre title in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, has hit the market. 
It has been listed by David A. Perez and Linda Shore-Perez from Villa Prestige Properties Noosa Heads. 
The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-booroobin-131617550" target="_blank">1620 Maleny Stanley River Road, Booroobin</a> was purchased in 2006 by the owner and since then has undergone a complete regeneration and revegetation program.
The original house, The Cottage, was renovated and expanded in 2007 while the Manor House on top of the hill was built in 2012 by Storybook Cottages.
Perched on top of the Blackall Range with views, the Manor House is known by locals as The Castle House. 
It comprises master bedroom with ensuite, second bedroom, designer kitchen, open plan living room, media room, sitting room, and Tower Room on the third floor. 
<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/2019/9/16/booroobin%203.jpg" alt="">
Additional features include built-in library, Italian designed residential lift, fireplace and wooden staircases. 
Surrounded by rainforest, the second dwelling, Sweetwater Cottage consists of five bedrooms, granite kitchen, undercover entertaining area and two fireplaces. 
<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/2019/9/16/booroobin%205.jpg" alt="">
The cottage has hosted weddings and functions in recent years. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sunshine Coast hinterland 40 acre property with two homes Sweetwater listed

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A Beaudesert mortgagee home has sold for $260,000.
The latest marketing campaign ran for over 500 days, off the back of an unsuccessful 180 day campaign in 2015 when the property wasn't marketed as a mortgagee.
Rob and Maree Richardson of Beaudesert Properties managed the latest campaign.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-beaudesert-130882494" target="_blank">32 Tina Street</a>, the abode comprises a three bedroom, two bathroom house.
Set on 890 square metres, the home was listed for $379,000 in March 2018.
The asking price was reduced eight times over the duration of the campaign down to $280,000.
According to the listing it has rental potential of $330 to $340 per week.
The home last sold for $340,000 in 2012. 
<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 sale price for an apartment in <a href="/news">Beaudesert</a> is $349,000 according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Beaudesert mortgagee home sold for $80,000 loss

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The Melbourne Storm are set to launch their own branded home loan service.
It is set to pioneer sporting clubs offering its members access to financial products.
The Storm is launching Storm Money in partnership with the private My Local Broker.
My Local Broker will be the funder of the loans. My Local Broker is owned by Gerry Ryan, a part-owner and director of the Storm.
The Storm will share commissions. The members will be offered deals from about 40 or so different loan providers.
Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said the concept arose from a survey of the club’s 25,000 members this year about their financial priorities.
“We looked at our sponsorship portfolio and found we had a gap in the banking sector,” Mr Donaghy told The Australian.
Almost 40 per cent of Storm members have home loans and close to 60 per cent told the club they were looking to refinance within a year, with 40 per cent saying they’d be likely or highly likely to change if offered an exclusive deal from a Storm sponsor.
 
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Melbourne Storm set to offer home loans to 25,000 members

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This Saturday Melbourne sees the highest volume of homes go under the hammer for the year so far.
There are 919 auctions listed for Saturday, beating the year’s previous high point of 900 auctions held on the last weekend of February 23, Domain figures show.
<div class="in-content-ad">It is the traditional busy weekend before the AFL Grand Final public holiday long weekend, which sees a big drop homes going under the hammer.</div>
<div class="in-content-ad"> </div>
<div class="in-content-ad">On the same weekend last year, 1029 auctions were scheduled. </div>
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Volumes down on 2019 pre-AFL grand final auction weekend  

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The Melbourne city centre has seen a continued substantial increase in the supply of high rise apartments, according to a recent Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The report suggests that lifestyle changes have led to people seeking a better work and life balance; as such properties located within half an hour of the CBD and close to public transport links continue to be highly desired by first home buyers.
Developers are encouraging buyers by including amenities such as rooftop gardens, creative common facilities such as virtual golf, private dining areas with industrial kitchen facilities allowing residents to bring in a private chef and meeting rooms for the home office operator.
"For an entry level price of $580,000, you will find a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in the Prima Pearl located at 35 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank (pictured above) and access to the mentioned amenities," the valuation firm said. 
"Young professional couples or small families looking to upgrade their one-bedroom apartment for a bit more room do not have to go far.
"Suburbs on the city fringe such as Collingwood, Richmond, Prahran and South Melbourne still have access to public transport to the CBD, schools and close proximity to local restaurants and cafes." 
Property types vary from townhouses and single-fronted dwellings that can accommodate two-to-three bedrooms, two car spaces and a small courtyard.
<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/2019/9/11/richmond%20.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom townhouse at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-townhouse-vic-richmond-130425362" target="_blank"> 7 Palmer Street, Richmond </a>(pictured above) has been sold for $1.55 million.
Set on 150 square metre block, the home comprises three bedrooms, open plan living and dining area, kitchen with Miele appliances and second living area opening to balcony. 
It's situated moments from Bridge Road entertainment, amenities and public transport.
At the prestige end of the market, buyers are looking for properties with a period character or dwellings that can be easily renovated, extended or rebuilt and designed to suit their needs.
The report notes staple items within this category include basement car parking, en suite to each bedroom, a games room, swimming pool, tennis court and gym.
<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/2019/9/11/toorak.jpg" alt="">
A five bedroom house at 26 Linlithgow Road, Toorak (pictured above) was sold for $12.15 million in March.
Set on a 1,308 square metre block, the home comprises five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and four car spaces.
It features tennis court, home theatre, gym, swimming pool and covered outdoor entertaining areas. 
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Melbourne CBD sees increasing supply of high rise apartments: HTW residential 

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While early adulthood is traditionally seen as the period when young adults begin to live independently, new AHURI research reveals that many young Australians are putting their longer term housing aspirations on hold to meet other life goals such as completing education or gaining secure employment.
In 2015-16, only 17% of young adults aged 18-24 years lived independently, with most (66%) still living with their parents.
Furthermore, around a third of Australians aged 25–34 either remained or moved back with parents or lived in shared housing.
The research, Young Australians and the housing aspirations gap, undertaken for AHURI by researchers from Swinburne University and Curtin University, examined the short and longer term housing aspirations and the housing aspirations gap (i.e. where current housing is not meeting people’s requirements) among ‘emerging adults’ (aged 18–24 years) and ‘early adults’ (aged 25– 34 years).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/emerging%20adults%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/emerging%20adults%201.jpg" alt="">
"As house prices and rents have risen ahead of incomes, it is taking longer for young adults to create their own independent and secure households, and for some it is not attainable in the foreseeable future," says the report’s lead author, Dr Sharon Parkinson of Swinburne University.
"This has led many to staying or returning to the family home, or taking up informal living arrangements such as living in group households."
The ideal of home ownership is not as persistent as for past generations, varying with age, education and quality of current living arrangement. 60% of Australians aged 18–24 years and 70% of those aged 25–34 years identified owning and living in their own home as their ideal tenure. This compares to 80% of older Australians.
For emerging adults (18-24 years) sharing a house with a group typically met their short-term (82%) but not longer-term (25%) aspirations. While living with parents mostly met short-term (76%) but not longer-term (30%) aspirations.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/emerging%20adults%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/emerging%20adults%202.jpg" alt="">
For early adults (25–34 years) the housing aspirations gap is greatest for individuals in the private rental sector. For interviewees renting privately, the requirement to move house was the one constant in their lives.
Short-term aspirations for this group were shaped around ‘horizontal’ moves or finding an arrangement slightly better than the previous move, but with no sense of moving upwards or being closer to achieving their longer term housing hopes.
Despite rising housing costs, most 18-24 year olds thought homeownership would be possible in the near future.
"We found that many emerging adults had a ‘blind optimism’ that they would be able to achieve their housing aspirations despite not actively planning for their housing future," says Dr Parkinson.
"Nearly a third of those we surveyed felt that they would be purchasing a home within the next five years with a further 36% believing they would buy in 5 to 10 years." 
By early adulthood there is a sharp divide in optimism influenced by education and income levels.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/emerging%20adults%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<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/2019/8/15/emerging%20adults%203.jpg" alt="">
Nearly two-thirds (61%) with a tertiary education and a higher income believe they would buy a property within five years, compared to just over a third (36%) for those with an education to year 12 or below, and less than a quarter (23%) for those with an education to year 11 or below.
<ul>
<li>More young Australians are not only being priced out of home ownership, but independent rental housing too. Only 17% of Australians aged 18-24 lived independently in 2015-16, and most (66%) lived with parents. Meanwhile, around a third of Australians aged 25–34 remained or moved back with parents, or lived in shared housing.</li>
<li>The ideal of home ownership is not as persistent as for past generations, varying with age, education and quality of current living arrangement. 60% of Australians aged 18–24 years and 70% of those aged 25–34 years identified owning and living in their own home as their ideal tenure. This compares to 80% of older Australians.</li>
<li>Despite house prices and rents rising ahead of incomes, 18–24 year olds held a ‘blind optimism’ for home ownership. 32% felt that purchasing a dwelling would be attainable within the next five years; and 36% considered it attainable in 5–10 years. This optimism decreases by early adulthood (25–34 years), influenced by education and income levels.</li>
</ul>
The report <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/318" target="_blank">can be downloaded</a> from the AHURI website.
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Young Australians want a home to call their own, but work and study come first

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A record $8.4 million has been paid on the Brisbane riverfront at auction last night.
<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/2019/9/27/bulimba%202.jpg" alt="">
The riverfront home at Bulimba ranks as the city’s most expensive property ever sold under the hammer.
 <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/2019/9/27/bulimba%203.jpg" alt="">
The five-bedroom European-style mansion at 95-99 McConnell Street saw two families compete after the initial $5.5 million offer.
The prized north-facing 1473 square metres of land comes with 32 metres of river frontage.
<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/2019/9/27/bulimba%204.jpg" alt="">
The 95-99 McConnell Street, Bulimba offering sold through Sarah Hackett of Place Estate Agents Bulimba.
<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/2019/9/27/bulimba%205.jpg" alt="">
Brisbane’s most expensive auction sales
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Address
</td>
<td>
Brisbane Suburb
</td>
<td>
Year
</td>
<td>
Auction Price
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
95-99 McConnell Street
</td>
<td>
Bulimba
</td>
<td>
2019
</td>
<td>
$8.4 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
39 Griffith Street
</td>
<td>
New Farm
</td>
<td>
2019
</td>
<td>
$7.75 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
22 Sandford Street
</td>
<td>
St Lucia
</td>
<td>
2009
</td>
<td>
$7.75 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
29 Laurence Street
</td>
<td>
St Lucia
</td>
<td>
2010
</td>
<td>
$7 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
78 Jilba Street
</td>
<td>
Indooroopilly
</td>
<td>
2007
</td>
<td>
$6.1 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
20 Scott Street
</td>
<td>
Hawthorne
</td>
<td>
2017
</td>
<td>
$5.6 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
22 Langside Road
</td>
<td>
Hamilton
</td>
<td>
2016
</td>
<td>
$5,385,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
34 Quay Street
</td>
<td>
Bulimba
</td>
<td>
2016
</td>
<td>
$5.33 million
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
14 Otway Street
</td>
<td>
Holland Park
</td>
<td>
2016
</td>
<td>
$5,225,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
9 Griffith Street
</td>
<td>
New Farm
</td>
<td>
2013
</td>
<td>
$5.2 million
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Domain Group (results based on sales made on the auction day under the hammer only).
The previous record auction was $7.75 million, back in 2009 at Sandford Street, St Lucia, which was then equalled in March this year when 39 Griffith Street, New Farm sold under the hammer.
It was purchased by Ben Seymour, the grandson of Queensland rich-lister and developer Kevin Seymour.
 
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Bulimba riverfront takes Brisbane auction record mantle

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Construction at the apartment project, The Orchid at Arncliffe, has recommenced after non-bank lender Wingate secured funding to complete the development.
Construction was halted in August <a href="/news/william-odwyers-ralan-hits-voluntary-administration">after the Ralan Group collapsed</a> owing creditors $500 million.
The administrators Grant Thornton signalled $70 million to $80 million was needed to complete the project.
Almost two-thirds of the 318 apartments and 13 out of 36 commercial units at The Orchid were sold off-the-plan, according to Grant Thornton.
At the end of August, Ralan's secured lender Wingate appointed Deloitte as receivers and managers of the development having previously appointed Deloitte as receivers of six other Ralan companies that hold land and other assets tied to Ralan's now-scrapped Ruby and Sapphire high-rise development on the Gold Coast.
A spokeswoman for Wingate confirmed that construction recommenced at The Orchid in late August "with the current program tracking towards completion by mid-2020".
"The development is approximately 50 per cent complete," she said.
"Richard Crookes Constructions is continuing as the builder of the development with work on site progressing well with [on average] 165 workers on site each day in the past week," she said. "Details regarding the financing of the development are commercial in-confidence."
At the same time as construction restarted at The Orchid, Deloitte, as receivers, has appointed ResortBrokers to sell management rights to the only completed tower at Ralan's now mothballed four-tower Ruby Collection project on behalf of Wingate. The 30-level tower was completed last November and includes 230 apartments.
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The Orchid, Arncliffe resumes construction after Ralan collapse

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Cash donations above $100 will be banned in NSW as the Government acts to restore the public’s confidence in the integrity of political donations.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement on Wednesday, making NSW the first jurisdiction to cap cash donations made to political parties.
“I have been shocked by what has been uncovered at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) over the last two weeks,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This Government has already introduced the strongest donations regime in the nation but it is clear that some will continue to defy the law.
“That is why I am taking strong action to further protect our political processes.
“This simple reform will mean an end to the poor accounting practices, untraceable donations and the anonymous cash that has the potential to mar our political system.
“Given the wide and easy availability of electronic funds transfer systems, there is no good reason for donations to hide behind the anonymity of cash.”
Currently, no single donor may exceed a cap of $6400 a year to a party or group, nor may a donor exceed a cap of $2900 a year to a member, candidate or third-party campaigner.
All political donations of $1000 or more must also be disclosed to the NSW Electoral Commission. These restrictions will remain in parallel with the new cash ban.
“This sends the strongest possible message that donation laws must not be flouted because the only legal donations will be traceable donations,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Legislation to enact the new restrictions will be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year.
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Cash political donations to be capped in NSW

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As announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the 2019 election campaign, from 1 January 2020 eligible first home buyers will be able to enter the housing market sooner.
Up to 10,000 guarantees per year will allow eligible first home buyers to purchase a home with a deposit of as little as five per cent.
Applicants will be subject to a range of eligibility criteria, including taxable incomes of up to $125,000 per annum for singles and up to $200,000 per annum for couples in the previous year, they must be Australian citizens purchasing property in Australia and they must be taking out owner-occupied loans on a principal and interest basis. 
Properties purchased under the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme will be subject to regional price caps. 
Regional price caps will be set with a view to ensuring equitable access to the scheme across Australia.
The coverage of the guarantee will be broadly consistent with parental guarantee products offered by some lenders. The guarantee will remain in place until a loan is refinanced or the outstanding loan balance falls below 80 per cent of the property purchase price—whichever comes first.
Access to the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme will occur as part of the normal home loan application process, with limited additional effort for first home buyers being required when seeking a guaranteed loan, the assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing, Michael Sukkar said.
The bill introduces amendments to the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Act 2018 to implement the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and establish a new research function within the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.
The bill expands the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation's functions to enable it to provide guarantees.
Sucker noted based on median household income and a 15 per cent saving rate (on before-tax income), it takes approximately eight years to save a 20 per cent deposit on a median priced home. 
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How the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme guarantee will work 

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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