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A Southport, Queensland, mortgagee home has sold for $502,000.
When first listed in September 2018 it had a price guide of $780,000, following multiple reductions and one unsuccessful auction, the home has sold for $278,000 less than what was initially sought.
Clare Brettell Mike Roberts of Ray White held the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-southport-131232486" target="_blank">111 Benowa Road</a>, the four bedroom, two bathroom house was sits on a 600 sqm block.
The current home was built in 2015, however the property last sold in 2013, transacting for $270,000 after two and a half years on the market.
In June 2011 the vendors originally sought $399,000, however following numerous asking price reductions, the property eventually settled at it's asking price of $270,000.
Featuring a two car garage, along with three additional parking spaces, the home is close drive to schools, shops, hospitals and other amenities.
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The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/southport-qld-4215">Southport</a> is $546,250 according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as 7.5%. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Southport, Queensland mortgagee home listing slashed $280,000 and sold

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A Canning Vale, West Australia mortgagee house has been sold for $390,000.
Roger Golos of Professionals Property marketed the property.
Situated at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-canning+vale-131485190" target="_blank">14/9 Parnell Way</a>, the abode comprises a three bedroom, two bathroom villa.
Set on 239 sqm, the property was listed for sale at $405,000.
Last sold in 2012, the home transacted for $439,500.
Following the 2012 sale which occurred the year the home was built, the property was listed twice before this successful marketing campaign.
First in December 2014 seeking $519,900 and later in January 2017 when it sought $470,000.
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The median sale price for a unit in <a href="/developments/canning-vale-wa-6155">Canning Vale</a> is $535,000, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as 0.5%.
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Canning Vale, WA mortgagee home sold for $50,000 loss

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A North Ward, Queensland mortgagee home has sold for $160,000, a second consecutive loss following its 2016 sale.
In 2016 the apartment sold for $200,000, a $67,000 reduction on its 2007 sale price.
Lisa Morio and Sally Elliott of Smith&amp;Elliot are marketing the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-north+ward-131308726" target="_blank">4/23 Gregory Street</a>, the property was listed for $175,000, a further fall from it's 2007 sale price of $267,000.
Set on 86 sqm, the property had been put to an auction in late June.
The two bedroom, one bathroom unit is situated minutes from the city.
The property was listed as a rental as recently as 2014, seeking $300/pw a reduction on the $325/pw it sought in 2013.
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The median sale price for a home in <a href="/developments/north-ward-qld-4810">North Ward, Queensland</a> is $525,000, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -2.3%.
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North Ward, Queensland mortgagee home sold for consecutive loss

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A Wirrabara, South Australia, mortgagee house has been sold for just $45,000.
Wayne White of Wardle Real Estate marketed the home.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-wirrabara-119822851" target="_blank">11 Casuarina Street</a>, the property comprises three bedrooms, one bathroom and a shed.
Set on 2,046 sqm, the abode was built in 1956.
Last sold in 2007 the property transacted for $100,000.
Previously, in 2002, it sold for $39,500.
The property spent almost four years on the market, as it was originally listed in October 2015 for $99,500.
The asking price was reduced multiple times to $65,000 before it was successfully sold in late July.
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Wirrabara, SA mortgagee home sold for 45% of previous sale price

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Domain has experienced a doubling in the decline of new web listings as its annual net profit fell 29 percent. 
Nationally, Domain new listings declined around 12 percent, double the 6 percent decline reported in the first half result.
The real estate website lost $6.2 million last year.
It said revenue for the year to June 30 rose by almost 20 per cent to $343.3 million but the bottom line was hit by previously announced impairments of $179 million.
The yearly results show revenue was down 6.1 per cent. The net profit after tax was $37.4 million, down 29.3 per cent.
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Chief executive Jason Pellegrino said it was a solid performance in the context of major listing declines in Melbourne and Sydney.
“For FY19 Domain delivered a solid performance in the context of the challenging year faced by the Australian property market.
"To put this in perspective, property sales as a percentage of Australia's dwelling stock are at their lowest point in more than 20 years."
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 Residential revenue increased 0.5% to around $173 million.
"This is a solid result from Residential in the context of lower listings volumes in key markets, where auction volumes declined around 25% in Sydney and 28% in Melbourne."
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Domain have suggested their proprietary datasets have shown some encouraging signs of buyer activity in the first weeks of FY20, including increased attendance at open for inspections and increased home loan application volumes.
They did noted however that listings volumes remained weak in a seasonally low listings period, with national market new listings declining down 20 per cent in July 2019, with Sydney and Melbourne new listings down 26% and 27% respectively.
Domain's media arm didn't fair much better.
Media, developers and commercial revenue declined around 13 percent for the year.
Pellegrino highlighted financing constraints and other regulatory issues which have shifted market demand from investors to owner-occupiers, and from large high rise developments to smaller boutique projects which require a lower level of marketing support.
Over the financial year Domain acquired CommercialView and increased their stake in Homepass. 
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“During my first 12 months at Domain we have been focused on establishing and driving the strategy which will support our next phase of growth," Pellegrino said.
“Our vision is to build a customer-centric Australian property marketplace. Everyone in our business is working to inspire confidence for all of life’s property decisions.
"There is substantial headroom to step change our performance by using our data to build products and offerings that better meet the needs of buyers, vendors and agents.”
"Domain is better placed than ever to deliver on our growth ambitions. This will be further supported as the market returns to a more positive listings environment.
“Our relationship with Nine provides opportunity to expand Domain’s reach and engagement through Nine’s broadcast and digital assets, and we’re excited about the upcoming launch of a new Your Domain TV show on September 7th.”
Shares rose four per cent to $3 in morning trade. It was at $3.50 this time last year.
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Domain sees decline in new listings double as net profit falls 29 percent

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A Melbourne two bedroom apartment has sold for $580,000 by mortgagees.
John Silburn marketed the property.
The apartment at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-melbourne-130740178" target="_blank"> 603/325 Collins Street</a> comprises open plan living and dining, modern kitchen and two bedrooms.
Located in the popular The Mark complex, other features of the apartment include central heating and cooling, on site building manager and two secure lock up storage rooms.
The apartment is only moments from Melbourne’s premier shops and restaurants.
Last sold in 1999, the property traded for $288,912.
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The median sale price for a unit in <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a> is $590,000, according to CoreLogic data.
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Melbourne mortgagee apartment listed for $580,000

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A waterfront home on D'Entrecasteaux Channel south of Hobart with views out to Bruny Island has hit the market with $1.65 million hopes.
Jen Levett and John Loveluck of Petrusma Property have the listing.
Set on five acres, the renovated house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-middleton-131295494" target="_blank">4261 Channel Highway, Middleton</a> comprises master bedroom with water views, two additional bedrooms, open plan living, multiple outdoor dining and coffee nook and established garden.
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Other features include wrap around deck, Eureka Woodheater, multiple sheds and 300 hazelnut trees plus around 130 fruit trees.
There is plenty of room for sheep or cows. 
It's a 45 minute drive to Hobart and 30 minute drive to Kingston Central. 
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Waterfront trophy home on D'Entrecasteaux Channel listed 

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
A robust update but participation hit a new record high at the same time. So while the employment growth continues to outperform expectations the unemployment rate is very sticky around 5.2%.  As such, it is hard to see unemployment getting below 5% any time soon, let alone getting down the RBA’s natural rate of 4.5%.
Westpac is forecasting the unemployment rate to rise from here on the back of a soft patch in employment.
In the past year the largest share of employment gains have been for full-time females, male full-time employment has grown slower than total employment, suggesting employment gains remain focused in the services industries that are rich in female employment.
This update gives us comfort that the RBA will opt to wait-and-see at the September Board meeting and leave the cash rate unchanged.
The July Labour Force Survey reported a 41.1k gain in employment. As we head into the second half of the year, employment remains quite robust with a three month average gain of 28k in July, unchanged from June and slightly down from 35k in May.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%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/westpac%201.jpg" alt="">
The May survey reported a strong +45.2k gain in employment with participation surging to a new record high of 66.1%, boosting the labour force and therefore holding unemployment flat at 5.2% despite the strong gain in employment. 
Since then, while the month to month employment gains have been volatile, the trend remains robust and unemployment has been flat at 5.2%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%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/westpac%202.jpg" alt=""> 
In the year to July, employment has grown 333k or 2.6%. The pace of employment growth has eased back from 2.9%yr in May but it is still stronger than the 2.2%yr at the end of 2018, while the six month annualised pace has was flat at 2.4%yr. 
Our Jobs Index suggests employment should be growing around 2.4%yr currently before slowing to 2.1%yr through Q4.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%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/westpac%203.jpg" alt="">
We think it is worth noting that June employment was revised to –2.3k from +0.5k with June now recording the first negative print on employment in three years. 
In July, unemployment was flat at 5.2% (5.23% at two decimal places - it was 5.24% in June) with participation rising to a new record high of 66.1% (66.06% at two decimal places from 65.96% in June) the labour force grew a very solid 41.9k.
We had expected that a soft employment print would have been associated with a moderation in participation so we are not surprised that a robust employment gain is matched by a lift in participation.
Today’s update is further confirmation of a robust upward trend in participation, but there was a shift on which state is in the driving seat.
NSW hit a record high of participation of 66.2% in May and has since eased back a bit as has Victoria, which leaves Qld supporting the more recent gains in participation.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%204.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge:
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In June we were surprised by the drop in underemployment (those employed who are willing and able to work more hours) which fell 0.4ppts to 8.2%. 
Underemployment did not improve as much as unemployment through 2018 and had recently been trending higher compared to the unemployment rate. But in July, underemployment bumped back up to 8.4%, still down on the 8.6% in May but it did help to lock in a stronger trend.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%205.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/westpac%205.jpg" alt="">
Underemployment lifted in both NSW and Victoria (from 7.5% to 7.9% and 7.9% to 8.5% respectively) while it fell in Queensland and WA (from 8.6% to 8.5% and 9.6% to 9.4% respectively).
We note how high underemployment is in Victoria compared to unemployment — unemployment is well below the national average (4.8% vs. 5.2% nationally) whereas the underemployment rate of 8.5% is higher than the national average of 8.2%.
In the last year to July, the gains in employment have mostly been full-time (255.6k/3.0%yr) and with females gaining slightly more than males (153.8k/4.9%yr for females, 101.8k/1.9%yr for males).
The mix is interesting as female full-time employment has lifted 153.8k (4.9%yr) in the year while male fulltime rose 101.8k (1.9%yr).
In contrast male part-time employment has lifted 59.2k in the year (4.8%) while female part-time grew just 17.8k (0.6%yr).
It does appear that employment gains continued to be focused in the services sectors that are rich in female full-time employment positions.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%206.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/westpac%206.jpg" alt="">
Employment growth has held together and has been quite robust so far in 2019 with the July update suggesting the pace of growth may be picking up — somewhat unexpectedly given the softening leading indicators.
Unemployment is flat around 5.2% but underemployment is drifting higher as the employment to population ratio has held around 62.5% to 62.6% since April highlighting that the gains in employment have only been pacing the gains in working age population.
In the year to July, employment has grown 161.4/4.0%yr in NSW compared to 97.8k/3.0%yr gain in Victoria. Employment grew more modestly in Queensland (57.8k/2.3%yr) and just 6.9k/0.8%yr in SA and slight better in WA with 19.5k/1.5%yr in WA.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/8/15/westpac%207.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/westpac%207.jpg" alt="">
Since December the unemployment rate has risen 0.1ppt in NSW to 4.4% (the national low), +0.6ppt in Victoria to 4.8% with a smaller 0.3ppt in Queensland at 6.4% but a solid 0.9ppt lift in SA to 6.9%, the highest unemployment rate in Australia.
The only state to record a decline in unemployment from December is WA where it fell –0.4ppt to 5.9% which is still above the national average.
For complete chart pack <a href="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2019/August/JulyLabour-FI_chart_pack.pdf" target="_blank">July Labour Force Chart Pack (pdf 334kb)</a>
JUSTIN SMIRK is ‎a senior economist for Westpac
 
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Labour force data will leave the RBA on the sidelines next month: Justin Smirk

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German shop fixtures and shelving manufacturing giant Wanzl is moving its Australian headquarters to the Hawthorn East.
Fitzroys agent Chris James negotiated the five-year lease with options at 1 Hall Street at $128,750 per annum with 3% annual increases, on behalf of Cadence Property Group.
Wanzl’s local arm will move into a 540 square metre office and warehouse facility that is part of a 1,625 square metre industrial building, on a 1,650 square metre site at 1-5 Hall Street with three frontages.
Headquartered in the Bavarian town of Leipheim, Wanzl is the world’s largest manufacturer of shopping trolleys.
It also produces shop and supermarket fittings, shelving and entrance gates.
James said Wanzl Australia will be moving from their current premises on Highbury Road, Burwood to Hall Street, a short distance from the headquarters of major supermarket Coles.
“Growth in online shopping has brought with it demand for broader product ranges and more efficient delivery times, increasing requirements for logistics systems and facilities,” he said.
“This has prompted a surge in new warehousing developments, and existing facilities are being refitted for efficiencies and expanded capacities to cater for the evolving requirements of logistics and distribution centres.”
James said Wanzl’s move to the area adds to a roll call of major retail names in the area including Kookai, Bunnings Warehouse, Gazman, and Kennards Self Storage, as well as Coles.
“Melbourne’s inner-east offers close proximity to CityLink and the Monash Freeway, which has become a necessity for logistics and warehousing.”
James and Fitzroys colleagues Jordan Ceppi and David Bourke negotiated the $6.5 million sale of the entire facility at 1-5 Hall Street to Cadence Property Group in May.
The developer and fund manager will use the balance for its new headquarters.
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German shopping trolley giant Wanzl takes Hawthorn East lease

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Domain Group has launched a new school-based search experience allowing property-searching parents to search by school name.
It is aimed at parents with specific schools or school catchments in mind to access school information in their property search.
When parents search by school names, they will get access to up to date information such as school types, gender mixes, and properties for sale or rent within the school catchment. 
Maty Paule, Chief Product Officer at Domain, commented that 50% of the parents told us that nothing was "more important than being able to send their kids to a certain school, or to be confident in the school catchment areas around their new property".
"Properties within highly-regarded school zones can boost house prices, and the information parents attain when they search by school names on Domain can add depth to their property decisions in the long term," he said.
Search by school name on Domain will enable parents in Australia to:
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Find properties to buy or rent that meet specific criteria and are located within desired school catchments. 
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Immediately see which school catchment their property falls in, along with a list of nearby government and non-government schools. 
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Access important information for schools across Australia, including location and catchment maps, school types, gender mixes and year ranges. 
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View travel times from a property to a school by car, public transport and walking during the busy morning drop-off.
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Domain launches school-based search for property-hunting parents

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

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]

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 41-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 41-storey tower, which has 229 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.

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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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