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The Richmond-Tweed region has seen sales activity fall over the last couple of years, with dwelling sales down 14 per cent over the year to February 2019, according to the latest CoreLogic Regional Report.
The report reveals challenging property market performance across Australia’s regions, with falling sales activity in the twelve months to February 2019.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/richmond%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/2019/6/4/richmond%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic
Home values are lower year-on-year with house values down -1.3 per cent per cent over the year to March 2019, while unit values are -1.9 per cent lower over the same period.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/richmond%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/2019/6/4/richmond%202.jpg" alt="">
 
Source: CoreLogic
 
Looking at the Richmond-Tweed rental market, the advertised rental rate for houses and units increased by $20/week and $10/week respectively over the 12 months to March. 
The average time it takes to sell a home across the region has increased by 7 days for houses and 2 days for units, while the average vendor discount has also increased for both houses and units when compared to February 2018.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/richmond%203.png" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/4/richmond%203.png" alt="">
 
Source: CoreLogic
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/richmond%204.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/2019/6/4/richmond%204.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Richmond-Tweed regions see rental rates increase: CoreLogic

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Sales volumes across the Sunshine Coast have fallen -15 per cent to 9,329 over the 12 months to February 2019, with current volumes 14 per cent below the five year average for the region, according to the recent CoreLogic Regional Report.
The report reveals challenging property market performance across Australia’s regions, with falling sales activity in the twelve months to February 2019.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%201%20.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/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%201%20.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%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/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%202.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic
Looking at home values, house values are down -1.6 per cent over the year to March 2019, while unit values increased by 4.0 per cent over the same period.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%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/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%203.jpg" alt="">
 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%204.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/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%204.jpg" alt="">
Source: CoreLogic
 
Advertised rental rates for both houses and units increased year-on-year, up $10/week for houses and $5/week for units. 
The average time on market for a Sunshine Coast house remains in line with February 2018, while the average unit is selling 3 days faster year-on-year. 
Vendor discounting has increased slightly for both houses and units across the region.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%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/2019/6/4/sunshine%20coast%205.jpg" alt="">
 
Source: CoreLogic
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Sales activity falls across the Sunshine Coast: CoreLogic 

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The Sunshine Coast has reached the peak of market position on the HTW commercial office property clock for June, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White latest report.
HTW also stated that both Melbourne and South East NSW both remained in the peak position.
Meanwhile the Mid North Coast dropped a notch to the starting to decline market position, joining Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour.
Echuca and Alice Springs have remained unmoved in the declining market position. While South West WA remains near the bottom of the market.
Three capital cities remained in a bottom of the market position, Darwin, Perth and Hobart.
They are joined by Cairns, Gladstone, Launceston, Mackay Rockhampton and Townsville.
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/6/7/June%20Office%20Clock%20HTW.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/6/7/June%20Office%20Clock%20HTW.JPG" alt="" width="923" height="815">
Emerald and Toowoomba have joined Adelaide and Mildura in the start of recovery position.
Ballarat held steady as a rising market while Sydney, Brisbane and Geelong are a notch above in the approaching peak of market position.
The HTW report authors said, "Commercial real estate had mixed results across the country in the past six months, but among the options for buying in this sector, office holdings are considered one of the safer choices."
"That said, not all office markets are the same."
"This month’s submissions paint a picture of varying performance so far this year," they concluded
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Sunshine Coast's office market reaches peak of market: HTW June Office Clock

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Luxcon Group has confirmed that Harris Farm Markets will be the anchor tenant of their $75 million Rose Bay development The Aristocrat of Rose Bay
Construction on The Aristocrat is underway and on track for completion in early 2020.
Occupying the full ground floor, the store will serve as the backbone to the emerging Rose Bay Village precinct along Old South Head Road.
Alongside this announcement a further selection of residences within The Aristocrat at <a href="http://www.biller.com.au/4431518/" target="_blank">62A Dover Road</a> have been released. 
A number of apartments in the project have been sold since the launch in late 2018, including one of three luxury penthouses.
Designed by PBD Architects, and the second in Luxcon’s ‘Limited Edition Collection’ portfolio, The Aristocrat of Rose Bay features 24 two and three bedroom residences and penthouses. 
The two bedroom apartments come with one parking space and are being offered at the $1.85 million price point, while the three bedroom apartments which come with two parking spaces are being offered for around $3.5milliion
The residential facilities on offer include, a sparkling lap pool, relaxation cabanas and landscaped garden with outdoor exercise area. 
Managing Director of Luxcon Group, Ilya Melnikoff, said, “the Aristocrat is offering the complete luxury lifestyle package in a unique development."
"I think it will change the face of this neighbourhood village and hope will create precedent to what streetscape should look like in terms of quality of architecture."
Selling agent Paul Biller said he's confident that The Aristocrat will become one of the most sought-after addresses "not just in Rose Bay but in Sydney”
Luxcon are currently offering a virtual reality experience at their display suite, this offers clients the ability to 'walk around' their future home.
A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vimeo.com/338591867" target="_blank">teaser</a> of the virtual reality experience is also available, (Password: lux123).
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Harris Farm Markets to anchor The Aristocrat in Rose Bay

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A Noosa Heads architecturally-designed home with panoramic water and mountain views has been listed for sale with $2.3 million hopes. 
Adam Watts and David Conolly of Century 21 Conolly Hay Group have the listing. 
Hand-crafted by Ken Robinson Architects, the coastal home at 13 Allambi Terrace features contemporary style living including remote-controlled bi-fold doors and a soaring Vergola roof.
The lower level comprises two bedrooms, bathroom, and rumpus room opening out to the pool and poolside decks. 
<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/2019/6/5/noosa%202.jpg" alt="">
The mezzanine level completes with master suite with walk-through robe and resort-style ensuite.
Downstairs, it comes with a kitchen with Miele appliances, living space with open fire, dining room, and casual alfresco space with BBQs. 
<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/2019/6/5/noosa%203.jpg" alt="">
Additional features of the home include wine store, gym, powder room, double garage with internal access, plus a contemporary office or 4th bedroom with soaring walls of windows.
It was sold at $2.4 million in 2017 and $2.1 million in 2015. 
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Noosa Heads coastal home with panoramic views listed

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With Sydney CBD office vacancy tightening to 4.1% as of January, CBD office rentals have continued to drastically increase over the past two years and remain at record highs, according to the latest Commercial Property Market Report from Herron Todd White.
The property valuation firm found, owner-occupiers remained the dominant market participants when it comes to strata office stock, as they attempt to reduce their occupancy costs and invest in what is anticipated to remain a strong market into the foreseeable future.
The combination of owner-occupiers looking to secure office assets combined with the lack of available stock on the market has seen capital values for B and C grade strata office stock continue to increase, with building records continuing to be commonplace.
HTW analysts noted Noonan Property’s April 2019 sale of the 95 square metre Suite 202 at 234 George Street for $1.585 million (reflecting $16,684 per square metre of lettable area) to an owner-occupier who had apparently missed out on a number of other suites in previous weeks highlights the strength of the market force of owner-occupiers."
"Prior to this sale, the last suite to sell in this building and a superior overall asset was the 110 square metre Suite 802, which sold in March 2018 for $1.66 million, reflecting $15,091 per square metre."
"We anticipate owneroccupiers will remain the driving force of values for strata stock throughout the CBD for the foreseeable future, with rents anticipated to remain strong and supply remaining at a minimum in the short term," they said.
With completion of the Wynyard upgrade and Light Rail project along George Street progressing, construction noise beginning to reduce and hoardings starting to be removed, the future of Wynyard and George Street is beginning to take shape.
They consider the face lift to both Wynyard and the overall streetscape of George Street (along with the obvious transformation in accessibility through the CBD) will only further increase the appeal of offices in these precincts.
The southern precinct of the CBD is also anticipated to benefit from increased accessibility following the opening of the Light Rail, seeing the precinct become fully integrated into the prime CBD areas. With vacancy at 6.9% as at January 2019 (source: Property Council Australia) and rents significantly lower than those of the city core, the southern precinct shows the most potential for growth over the short term.
The valuers noted, "outside of the CBD, Parramatta remains the best performing secondary CBD in the country, with vacancy at 3% as at January 2019 (source: Property Council Australia), primarily driven by low supply additions and the draw of more affordable rentals than the CBD."
"While 148,000 square metres is currently under construction across four sites and is all due to come online over the next two years, pre-commitment for this space is at 90%, so vacancy is unlikely to soften significantly."
"The opening of the Metro North West Line on 26 May provides a significant increase in accessibility to the secondary office precincts of Norwest and Macquarie Park, as well as an additional line of access to Chatswood, increasing the overall appeal of these secondary precincts."
"Across Sydney, we are seeing strength in the commercial office market that is encouraging given the softening of the residential market. The strength of the market has been primarily driven by limited stock and infrastructure improvements and is anticipated to remain strong for the time being," they concluded.
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Sydney CBD office rentals remain at record highs: HTW Commercial

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The Melbourne office market vacancy rates, in particular in the Melbourne CBD, city fringe and inner east, are lower than the long-term average vacancy levels and are anticipated to further decline in the second half of 2019, according to the latest Commercial Market report from Herron Todd White.
The Melbourne CBD’s overall office vacancy rate was at 3.2% in January 2019, the lowest of all of Australia’s CBDs. according to the Property Council of Australia’s Office Market Report. 
According to HTW's property valuation reporters, there is limited new supply and available stock in the market until 2020. 
The robust leasing market is also being fuelled by healthy tenant demand driving strong rental growth in both face and effective levels.
Due to the rise in CBD rentals, the city fringe precinct continues to gain popularity from the creative, technology and professional services sectors.
Tenant demand is also strong in the inner east markets, particularly in highly soughtafter suburbs such as Richmond, Cremorne and Hawthorn. The inner east has a vacancy rate of 3.58%, the lowest amongst all of the metro precincts in Melbourne.
The June report stated, "It is expected that rental growth will continue for the remainder of 2019 in these precincts for well-located, good quality stock. Sales demand is particularly strong for well-located, land-rich investment assets."
"A circa 1990 double storey office building at 79-83 High Street, Kew (pictured in title) sold off-market ahead of the launch of an EOI campaign for $19 million in April 2019, reflecting a passing yield of approximately 6.2%. The property comprised 19 strata units with a total lettable area of approximately 3,361 square metres situated on a 3,760 square metre Commercial 1 zoned land allotment."
"The building had 10% vacancy and was sold to fund manager, Terraplex, with intentions to refurbish the building and potentially add extra floor space," they noted.
In the outer suburban market, the sale at 347-351 Burwood Highway, Forest Hill represents the largest metropolitan office transaction this year.
The property was sold to an adjoining owner, a Melbourne based developer, for $45.85 million in April 2019.
The property is situated opposite the Tally Ho Business Park and comprises a 2.62 hectare Commercial 1 zoned allotment improved with two office buildings with a combined net lettable area of approximately 10,692 square metres.
The property is approximately 70% leased to a variety of tenants including NEC, Bolton Clarke and Hamilton Morello.
The HTW valuers said, "we highlight that the purchaser elected to purchase the property as is without a 30% rental guarantee from the vendor and without deduction of outstanding incentives. The property has a WALE (by income) of 3.4 years and a reported reversionary yield of approximately 7.32%."
"The relatively low yield for an asset of this nature with sizeable leasing risk demonstrates the confidence buyers currently have in the Melbourne metropolitan office market."
"Due to the slowdown in the residential market and tightening lending criteria, demand for development sites within the inner suburban region has declined somewhat, however we are aware of ongoing, albeit subdued demand from developers seeking to secure well located sites to establish mixed use developments within close proximity of neighbouring retail strips, amenities and public transport."
"It is uncertain when residential market conditions will begin to recover and purchasers are cautious that any future downturn in economic activity may lead to a reduction in demand and market value, however we note that demand for commercial development sites, particularly sites with holding income, is strong in inner city areas such as Richmond, Cremorne and South Melbourne where developers are intending to deliver commercial office projects instead of apartment projects in the current market to capture the strong office leasing and sales conditions," they concluded.
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Melbourne CBD office vacancy rate lowest in Australia: HTW Commercial

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The Canberra office market maintained a steady pace through the first half of 2019 with a stable market benefiting from low unemployment, continued low interest rates and a strong local economy, according to the latest commercial report from property valuation firm Herron Todd White.
The report found, demand for leasing deals has continued to show strength with good levels of enquiry from tenants evolving into leases at Childers Street and Moore Street in the CBD, both tenants securing sub-3,000 square metres.
The A grade market has a vacancy rate of 1.7% and due to a lack of new stock in the short term, the market is anticipated to see a further drop in vacancy levels whilst construction of new premises is underway with completion due in 2020.
Rents for A grade space are averaging between $405 and $475 per square metre.
The valuers stated, "secondary B grade stock continues to reflect increased vacancy levels, currently at 13.9%, which will rise as a result of the relocation of both Home Affairs to the airport and the ACT Government to the CBD and Dickson with pre-commitments for the new space due in 2020."
"Recent sales volumes have been down on previous years however demand is persisting mostly from institutional and foreign investors with five-year plus WALEs and national tenants being features sought after by investors."
"Yields are 6% to 8% for prime buildings and 6.75% to 10.75% for secondary grade. Secondary space rents are around $300 to $330 per square metre," they concluded.
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Canberra office market remains stable with strong demand: HTW Commercial

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For many years, the Brisbane commercial market has largely gone under the radar in comparison to its southern counterparts…until now and according to the latest office report from property valuation firm HTW is now on the cusp of a major transformation.
The Herron Todd White report notes however, it will be a five-year project on the pathway to transformation into a world class city, with this fact being increasingly recognised in the commercial markets where there are increasing levels of interest in high quality commercial properties within Brisbane from Australian and international investors.
This has been evidenced by yield compression and strong capital growth over the past three years.
Yields which were solidly in the 6.75% to 7.25% range previously are now pressing downward into the 5.5% to 6.5% range, whilst capital growth of up to 30% has been recorded against some prime quality properties.
Against this backdrop however, the market is still plagued by persistently high vacancy rates, particularly in the B grade category and below.
This is holding back real rent growth and significant change in rents is not likely until Prime and A grade vacancies push lower into the single digits.
Recent leasing statistics released by Property Council of Australia have indicated that total vacancies in the CBD have contracted to a five year low of 13% as at January 2019.
The property valuers said, "Prime and A grade vacancies however are now at 10.4% and 9.9% respectively, and heading down."
"Gross face rents have stabilised with some assets seeing effective rents increase as incentives very slowly start to wind back, however vacancy rates remain high for secondary stock and face rents will continue to be flat as vendors compete to secure tenants."
"It is likely we will see a further widening in rentals between Prime or A grade and secondary accommodation," they added.
The fringe CBD leasing market is now largely dominated by the prime office precincts of Fortitude Valley (RNA, King Street precinct and Ann Street), Newstead (in and around Gas Works) and South Brisbane, according to the report.
Vacancy rates for fringe markets overall remain high at circa 14.8% but the better regarded precincts of South Brisbane and the Urban Renewal area are doing better at 10% and 14.2% respectively.
The report stated, "On the whole, fringe markets have been impacted by high vacancies in the CBD, but the Urban Renewal area is likely to continue to dominate the larger leasing and sale transactions."
"On the rental side, gross face rents appear to be increasing for premium buildings with some new leases reported at above $650 per square metre gross face. Incentives are also stabilising for prime assets."
"Conversely, secondary fringe CBD leasing markets are still oversupplied as tenants seek newer accommodation that is within close proximity of transportation and good retail amenities."
"Milton and Spring Hill commercial precincts continue to remain out of favour with tenants as vacancy rates continue to be the highest recorded for the fringe (21.5% and 17% respectively). These vacancies may present opportunities for re-purposing of some buildings in these areas," they noted.
There have been a significant number of quality commercial office listings in the first half of this year across the CBD, fringe CBD and inner-city areas.
Whilst many transactions are yet to transpire, there is reportedly strong interest being generated for well leased investment assets on both a local and interstate level.
"We believe some of these assets will likely achieve strong sale prices, as interstate investors priced out of Sydney and Melbourne see exceptional value in Brisbane (broadly speaking, there is a 150 to 250 basis point differential between Sydney or Melbourne versus Brisbane)," the valuers concluded.
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Brisbane CBD on the cusp of office transformation: HTW Commercial

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Mildura has seen a lower volume of rural sales during the first half of 2019, which is not surprising given the extremely dry start to the year, according to Herron Todd White's latest rural report.
The financial valuation firm found, there is evidently still demand for better standard rural assets, and the sales which we have seen suggest values are holding at similar levels to 2018.
Time Lane, the Rural Director of HTW, wrote "A well managed 131-hectare wine grape vineyard located to the north of Mildura has recently sold at levels which show an average $32,250 per hectare for the area planted to vines."
"The vineyard has a history of good yields and relatively low costs, but also contains a high percentage of Chardonnay, which currently offers lower returns per hectare than most other varieties," he said.
The lower Australian dollar is helping maintain stronger prices for wine grapes and HTW say there is a feeling of optimism that returns will continue to improve.
The table grape industry has enjoyed another successful harvest, with fruit quality mostly good and strong export prices.
The valuers said, "we expect to see growers continue to plant new varieties, which will see ongoing demand for the remaining vacant land parcels in the irrigation districts."
"A corporate buyer recently acquired an 85-hectare aggregation in the Red Cliffs district, planted mostly to table grapes," they concluded.
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Mildura rural market sales activity down: HTW Rural

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <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>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

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The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

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Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

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Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

Staff reporter

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