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Western Australia is still considered in some regions to provide good value in comparison to other Australian states and territories, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report. 
The report notes that the state is very diverse; from cattle stations in the northern pastoral regions to vineyards in the south-west and many other agricultural, horticultural, silvicultural and aquaculture land uses in between.
"We consider that the entry level in Western Australia would initially be at a hobby farm level in areas which are affordable for a scale which can develop some level of return and then build on from there," the valuation firm said. 
A number of areas surrounding the Perth metro area, south-west and great southern have been heavily influenced in the last couple of decades by rural lifestyle purchasers driving land values beyond limits to make a commercial return and what would be considered entry level rural.
A 20 hectare city farm in Hopeland, an outer suburb of Perth has been sold for $500,000.
The horse and hobby farm at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-farmlet-wa-hopeland-7996770" target="_blank">Lot 504 Henderson Road</a> (pictured below) comes with tree lined creek and mature trees throughout the property. 
It is close to the surface water including a soak. 
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"We therefore would look to the wheatbelt areas and the medium to low rainfall areas that have lower land values. However, they also have lower yields and are more susceptible to drought conditions, so not without risk," the valuation firm said. 
"We did a quick search and for $460,000 you can buy 1,259 hectares or 949 arable hectares at Bencubbin in the eastern wheatbelt.
"For a purchaser looking to get into agriculture this is an affordable level and scale with residential improvements. 
"The asking price equates to $485 per arable hectare which outside of pastoral regions would be considered one of the lowest price points in the country.
"This scale would not be viable as a sole source of income however someone interested in agriculture could work in the industry in the surrounding areas and use this as a starting point to build a viable operation and also use as accommodation."
According to the HTW report, current livestock and machinery prices will make it difficult to stock and crop the property straight away and require additional investment, however the use of contractors for cropping or building a mob of sheep over time can limit the initial capital outlay required.
Benchmark surveys indicate that the low rainfall region can produce up to 1.7 t/ha of wheat and carry 2.4 DSE/winter grazed hectare.
A number of good seasons have seen demand for cropping and grazing properties increase with values increasing accordingly across a number of wheatbelt regions. 
This area has been subject to drought conditions and therefore subject to higher risk of not providing a return and therefore capital gains will likely be lower.
A current listing within Wheatbelt regions is Grassdale, a 246 hectare property that has been offered to the market in the first time with $1.5 million hopes. 
Located on the edge of the Wandering,<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-wa-wandering-700040406" target="_blank"> Grassdale </a>(pictured below) features quality soils, grazing, treed creek lines, rock and bush as well as lower saline land. 
It includes an early 1900s dwelling with views, shearing shed, six main paddocks with twi smaller holding paddocks and seven dams. 
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"We do however note that the continuous development of agricultural technology and plant varieties is resulting in an potential increase in yields and returns and these developments could have a significant impact on the production potential of the lower rainfall areas which has the potential to flow on to capital gains." 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Good value to be found in Western Australia rural market: HTW rural

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The Normcore Coffee premises on York Street in the heart of the Sydney CBD has sold for $1.57 million.
There were four bidders for the 14 sqm ground floor coffee shop at 37 York Street which came with no seating.
The successful purchaser was a Sydney local who was making his first foray in to the commercial property market.
It's the first time the premises has traded hands in over three decades.
The store was one of three shops owned and operated by Normcore Coffee, who had just signed a new five year lease on the property.
Market sources had predicted the 14 sqm offering would sell for between $1.5 million to $2 million. 
The premises on the door step of Wynyard Station is exposed to 200,000 pedestrians daily.
According to Savills Australia's Nick Lower, the Australian coffee market and Sydney has the presence of several single store independent coffee shops, who tend to differentiate themselves based on the quality of their coffee ordered.
During the marketing campaign Lower said offshore interest in the property had been "off the charts," with interest from Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean, Singaporean and Malaysian buyers who are looking for "a safe haven investment with a strong return."
"With only a small number of offerings being made available in the core of the Sydney CBD, the undersupply of opportunity has led to an increase in demand from investors – looking for ‘blue chip, safe holdings."
“No matter what happens in the economy, or even in life, everyone who drinks it, needs their daily coffee fix to jump start their morning, and the hundreds of people walking past 37 York Street certainly enjoy what Normcore has to offer."
According to recent data, 75 percent of Australians have at least one coffee per day, and of those, 28 percent have more than three cups per day.
 
 
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14 sqm York Street, Sydney Normcore Coffee premises sold for $112,143 per sqm at auction

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The Normcore Coffee premises on York Street in the heart of the Sydney CBD is set for an auction at the end of August.  
Located at Lot 1, 37 York Street, the ground floor coffee shop is the outlet of a Sydney based coffee roasting company.
The store represents one of the three shops they own and operate.
Market sources believe the 14 sqm offering may sell for around $1.5 million to $2 million.
According to Nick Lower, Director, Metropolitan &amp; Regional Sales, NSW at Savills Australia, the Australian coffee market and Sydney has the presence of several single store independent coffee shops, who tend to differentiate themselves based on the quality of their coffee ordered.
Located on the door step of Wynyard Station, the listed property will be auctioned later this month by Nick Lower and Selin Ince of Savills Australia.
Normcore Coffee have just signed a new five year lease.
The site is exposed to 200,000 pedestrians daily.
Mr Lower said offshore interest in the property has been "off the charts."
He has seen strong interest from Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean, Singaporean and Malaysian buyers who are looking for "a safe haven investment with a strong return."
He said, “with only a small number of offerings being made available in the core of the Sydney CBD, the undersupply of opportunity has led to an increase in demand from investors – looking for ‘blue chip, safe holdings."
“No matter what happens in the economy, or even in life, everyone who drinks it, needs their daily coffee fix to jump start their morning, and the hundreds of people walking past 37 York Street certainly enjoy what Normcore has to offer."
According to recent data, 75 percent of Australians have at least one coffee per day, and of those, 28 percent have more than three cups per day.
His team has experienced record numbers of enquiries with a 27 percent increase in numbers over the first week.
Lot 1, 37 York Street Sydney will be offered by onsite auction outside Normcore Coffee on the 30th of August 2019.
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14 sqm York Street, Sydney Normcore Coffee premises set for auction

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Tooborac Hotel and Brewery's first move in Melbourne will the leasing of a red brick warehouse in Carlton.
The operators of the historic venue have leased an 800 sqm warehouse previously home to a scrap metals dealer, for a shop selling Toobarac’s award winning beers and pies, and has plans for a regional food and crafts marketplace and tavern selling its craft beers operating from the site.
Fitzroys Agency Executive, Lewis Waddell negotiated the deal for 137-143 Elgin Street (pictured) on behalf of a private owner.
Toobarac Hotel and Brewery is the latest addition to Carlton’s current generation of hospitality offerings, including Johnny’s Green Room, Carlton Wine Room, D.O.C., Epocha and Mr Pietro.
Mr Waddell said, “we received more than 50 enquiries from a mix of industrial and hospitality operators, which reflects the demand for character and industrial-style spaces in the food and beverage industry."
Waddell said the thriving hospitality and lifestyle culture across Melbourne’s inner city is generating an increased level of interest from microbreweries and craft beer labels.
“Labels and brewers find they can offer a fuller experience, including newer or limited releases and products, and in an environment they can pair with tailored food and ambience.” Waddell said the conversion of former warehouse buildings into brewpubs and new venues by craft labels is being seen across the inner city.
Bodriggy Brewing Co. has just opened its brewpub from a former LP gas conversion centre on Johnston Street in Abbotsford, while Jetty Road Brewery, based in Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula, has plans to open in a former mechanics workshop in South Melbourne.
“The rapid growth in the independent beer industry as well as inner-city living means we wouldn’t have seen this type of enquiry two or three years ago, but it’s something that is expected to become more commonplace,” Waddell said.
Tooborac Hotel, up the Northern Highway, is a country hotel built in circa-1857 and has an on-site brewery.
It is the oldest National Trust-listed country pub in Victoria.
The hotel is a mainstay of an area that takes in the renowned wine-growing region of Heathcote.
Waddell is also leasing the former bank building next door to Tooborac’s new site, at 129-135 Elgin Street, on the corner of Rathdowne Street. 
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Carlton attracts new generation of breweries

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A single level Daly Street commercial property has been auctioned off in the city fringe suburb of South Yarra.
Previously a car detailing workshop, the Lot 653, 11-17 Daly Street consists of a 47 sqm building area, suitable to a multitude of uses with the potential for an 8-level extension (STCA).
With over 30 attendees, there were three bidders with the successful buyer securing the property for $456,000.
Ryan Milivojac and Charles Cini of CVA auctioned off the property.
 
The building rate is $9,702.13 per metre squared.
Situated just 3.5km* from Melbourne’s central business district, the property benefits from immediate access to public transport with South Yarra Train Station as well as trams running along Toorak Road and Chapel Street.
The site is also within walking distance of major attractions such as the MCG, AAMI Park, Rod Laver Arena, The Jam Factory and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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South Yarra commercial premises sold for $450,000 at auction

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Nine has increased the office space they are leasing in 1 Denison, securing a 25,000 sqm lease for 12 years, which sees it set to share offices with their Fairfax colleagues.
The landmark $1.2 billion commercial office building is the tallest tower in North Sydney.
Its original lease has been increased from 18,500 sqm with the goal of bringing together all of its key Sydney divisions into one office.
The new lease comprises a ground floor reception and studio plus 13 floors from level G to nine in the low-rise and 19 to 22 in the mid-rise with floor plates ranging from 1,650 sqm to 2,517 sqm.
Nine will soon commence their fit-out, designed by Bates Smart Architects and will stage their relocation from the second half of 2020.
Print journalists from the Pyrmont-based mastheads such as The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald will be moving to the site, in with the television operations.
Fairfax has been at Pyrmont since 2006 when former chairman Ron Walker negotiated a deal to take the Darling Island Road space.
Scott Soutar, Nine’s Group Head of Property said Nine was "very pleased" to extend their space.
"We have been very impressed with the design and innovation proposed for 1 Denison and eagerly anticipate the completion of the project which for us will facilitate, for the first time, bringing together our broadcast and publishing businesses under one roof.”
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/8/6/1%20Denison%20-%202.JPG" alt="">
1 Denison has a net lettable area of 61,600 sqm across 39 storeys and is expected to achieve a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia as well as 5 Star NABERS rating and Silver WELLS rating.
It is positioned in the new heart of North Sydney and is located between the new Victoria Cross Metro station and North Sydney Train Station.
Multiplex is currently constructing the project with completion expected by the second half of 2020.
Mark Lacey, Regional Director at CBRE acted for Winten and Simon Crouch, while Head of Tenant Advisory at Colliers International represented Nine in the transaction.
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Nine expands lease in 1 Denison, North Sydney's tallest tower

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Microsoft Australia has taken a 10 year lease for its new head office in the $1.2 billion 1 Denison commercial office building.
1 Denison is the tallest tower in North Sydney.
Microsoft’s premises will comprise 10,655 sqm across seven levels from 25 to 31 in the high-rise of the building with floor plates ranging from 1,449 sqm up to 1,563 sqm.
The company will consolidate a number of offices into the new North Sydney location including its current head office at North Ryde.
It will retain its office at 1 Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD.
<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/2019/7/24/Tenancy%20Profile%20Aerial_Microsoft_low%20res_190717.jpg" alt="">
North Sydney is fast becoming a destination of choice for companies seeking quick access to the city and high-quality amenity along with access to hotels in the area including 88 Walker Street and Vibe Hotel.”
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Microsoft secures new head office in North Sydney's tallest tower

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Retail space has become available in the historic Tasma Terrace headquarters of the National Trust.
The Trust occupies large office across level two of the six-terrace three-storey row.
It has yielded vacant space on the ground and first floors.
The premises are known as 10 and 12 Parliament Place, suitable for retail and commercial operators.
There is a 46 sqm ground floor space.
The 57 sqm first floor at No.10 and the former storage 103 sqm ground and first floor storage space at No.12 are available.
The boutique terrace-style offices feature original trimmings, high ceilings, and a large glass atrium at the rear.
It overlooks Burton Reserve towards Parliament House.
The space is likely to garner between $575 and $600 a sqm.
Tasma Terrace also boasts a gallery, meeting and function rooms.
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Mr Tod cafe operates from the basement.
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Tasma Terrace was built in 1879 for grain merchant George Nipper as a stylish guest house and family home.
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Situated in one of Melbourne’s most desired city fringe locations, it is within close proximity to Spring Street, Collins Street and the CBD. 
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East Melbourne has the tightest non-CBD office market in the country, according to the most recent data from the Property Council of Australia, with a vacancy rate of just 2%.
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Space for rent in historic Tasma Terrace, Parliament Place Melbourne

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Redcape Hotel Group announced that it has exchanged contracts to acquire the Pig ‘N’ Whistle Hotel in Queensland's Redbank Plains for a total purchase price of $11.5m, before transaction costs. 
The acquisition will take the Redcape portfolio of assets to 33. 
It is a leasehold hotel located in the LGA of Ipswich.
The venue is a top-ranking Queensland gaming venue with a good food and beverage operations. 
Redcape Hotel Group CEO Dan Brady said, “While our growth strategy is predominantly focused on freehold assets with alternate land optionality, we also have the appetite to pursue quality value accretive leasehold opportunities that meet our investment criteria and align with our objective of growing and diversifying our earnings.” 
“The acquisition will further Redcape’s exposure to the region’s strong projected growth and enable us to positively contribute to Ipswich’s diverse and close-knit community through the provision of jobs, early career training, and quality hospitality experiences.” 
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Redcape Hotel group acquires the Redbank Plains Pig ‘N’ Whistle

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Wilderness Island, an island off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia, has been offered to the market by Jim Alston.
It is currently the home of an eco-tourism business, Wilderness Island Safari Holidays, which has been operating for the past 14 years.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/30/Wilderness%20Island%202.JPG" alt="">
It costs between $635 and $700 a day to live on the island. To rent out the whole island it costs $3,000 a day.
The island is located on the eastern side of the Exmouth Gulf, an hour by boat or 10 minutes by plane. It sits adjacent to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.
Spanning two hectares, the island has a main lodge, six stand alone cabins all with en-suites, a workshop, desalination plant, moorings for three vessels and a 700 metre dirt airstrip.
Western Australia Sotheby's agent Neil McAllister has the listing.
This article was first published in The Weekend Australian. 
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Wilderness Island off the Western Australia coast listed

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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

[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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

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