<html><body>
A mid-century influenced residence nestled on a lush Wahroonga block has been listed for sale.
The Ed Lippmann-designed house has been listed through Jesse Zammit from Belle Property with $4.6 million to $4.8 million hopes.
With 365 square metres of internal space, the four bedroom, four bathroom Hillcrest Street offering, set just off Water Street, has been listed by Amanda and Norman Mighell. 
The couple purchased the property in 1998, then re-built in 2001 with the assistance of specialist Japanese garden designer, Ken Lamb of Imperial Gardens. 
Its grand six metre atrium entrance features a Japanese internal courtyard complete with pond and waterfall.
The rear garden, that features an 11 metre pool, comes with an irrigation system sourced from  a 30,000-litre underground concrete water storage. 
The interiors too have a distinct Japanese elements including the Shoji screens between rooms.
The 1,015 square metre cul-de-sac offering had been initially listed with $4.9 million hopes.
<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/2019/4/19/wahroonga%202.jpg" alt="">
It's an easy stroll to the station, a selection of Sydney's best private schools, parks, and village shops.
<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/2019/4/19/wahroonga%203.jpg" alt=""> 
Nestled on a 1,015 square metre block, the home situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-wahroonga-129836658" target="_blank">4 Hillcrest Street, Wahroonga </a>comes with three bedrooms, self-contained parent's retreat/office/fourth bedroom, family room with adjoining meal area and kitchen, and separate formal dining overlooking the Japanese styled gardens.
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Ed Lippmann-designed Wahroonga home listed with $4.6 million hopes

<html><body>
New research by ING reveals pot plants are the second Australians’ most valuable treasured household possessions ranking second with an average value of $13,198 in homes where they’re cherished.
Artwork topped the list with an average value of $13,787. 
The research also found VHS tapes and DVDs are the most sought after collectable items for thieves with 753,000 Aussies having had these items stolen from their home.
A pricey loss given, on average, Aussies value their treasured VHS tapes and DVD collections at $4,363.  
Most valuable treasured household possessions 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Item
</td>
<td valign="top">
Average value per household 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Artwork 
</td>
<td valign="top">
$13,787
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Pot plants 
</td>
<td valign="top">
$13,189
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Watches/ jewellery
</td>
<td valign="top">
$8,787
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Designer goods and clothing 
</td>
<td valign="top">
$7,793
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Special collectables/ antiques 
</td>
<td valign="top">
$7,914
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Most sought after collectable items for thieves 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Item
</td>
<td valign="top">
Number of Aussies that have had item stolen from their home 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
VHS or DVD collections 
</td>
<td valign="top">
753,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Stamp collections 
</td>
<td valign="top">
527,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Musical instruments 
</td>
<td valign="top">
659,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Family portraiture/ vinyl collection/ vintage clothing/ early edition books and comics
</td>
<td valign="top">
517,000 (have had at least one of these items stolen from their home) 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
ING’s head of Insurance, Cathy Duncan says people need to consider the value of their home and contents.
“When you’re trying to estimate the value of your home and contents most of us probably think about the costs of rebuilding and the value of our big ticket items like furniture, electronics and jewellery,” said Duncan.
“What this research tells us is that it’s actually just as important to remember to consider the collective value of smaller items too. For example, the accumulative costs of all the pot plants in and around your house and your entire DVD collection. These things can really add up.” 
More than a quarter (26%) of Australians have had their home broken into at least once, one in three (32%) say they’ve had items stolen, and overall, 11% say at least one rare or collectable item was stolen from their home. 
“It’s so easy to think that just because something hasn’t happened to you it won’t,” said Duncan.
“That’s probably why almost a quarter (24%) of Australians (according to the research) do not currently have any form of home and or contents insurance. 
“But the reality, according to this research, is that there’s a one in four chance your home could be broken into.”
</body></html>

Pot plants rank among Australians' most treasured household possessions

<html><body>
Data released by SQM Research has revealed the national residential rental vacancy rates surged in April 2019 to 2.3%, an increase from 2.1% in March.
The total number of vacancies Australia-wide is now at 77,664 properties for rent, a rise of just under 10,000 dwellings over the past 12 months. 
Darwin’s vacancy rate of 3.6% in April, was the only capital city to experience a decrease in vacancy rates of 0.1%, but it continues to rank the highest of all capital cities since it overtook Perth in September 2018.  
Sydney rental vacancy rates jumped to 3.4%, an increase from 3.1% in March. This represents a new record high for Sydney, based on SQM’s rental index which goes back to 2005.  
Hobart’s vacancy rate increased to 0.6% in April and continues to record the lowest vacancy rate in the country since September 2014.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="12%">
City
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">
Apr-2018 Vacancies
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">
Apr-2018 Vacancy Rate
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">
Mar-2019 Vacancies
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">
Mar-2019 Vacancy Rate
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">
Apr-2019 Vacancies
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="14%">
Apr-2019 Vacancy Rate
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
15,809
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
21,942 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.1%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
23,837
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
7,317
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
9,210 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.6%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
10,565
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
9,774
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.0%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
8,232 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.5%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
8,792
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Perth
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
8,245
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
4.1%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
6,085 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.9%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
6,568
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Adelaide
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2,427
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2,024 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.1%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2,249
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Canberra
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
474
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.8%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
575 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.9%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
811
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Darwin
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1,011
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.3%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1,153 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.7%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
1,117
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
3.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
Hobart
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
219
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.7%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
131 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.4%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
185
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
0.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="12%">
National
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
67,854
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.1%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
70,877 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.1%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
77,664
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="14%">
2.3%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
SQM’s calculations of vacancies are based on online rental listings that have been advertised for three weeks or more compared to the total number of established rental properties.
SQM considers this to be a superior methodology compared to using a potentially incomplete sample of agency surveys or merely relying on raw online listings advertised.
Managing Director of SQM Research, Louis Christopher said: “Tenancy demand has been weak over the course of March and April. That combined with the expectation that dwelling completions are at their peak, prompted the rise in rental vacancies, which happened largely across the country, last month. 
“Going forward we expect rental vacancy rates will further rise in Sydney and Melbourne for most of 2019, before peaking and falling in 2020 as completions are forecasted to fall.”
Asking Rents 
Capital city asking rents increased 0.2% for units, but declined 0.4% for houses for the week ending 12 May to record asking rents of $554 per week for houses and $442 per week for units.
In comparison, over the 12 months, asking rents for units declined by 0.7% and rents for houses remained steady.  
Sydney’s asking rent for units and houses have both marginally declined by 0.3% for units and 1.5% for houses to 12 May. Over 12 months, the decline has been 5.0% for house rents and 3.8% for units. 
Perth’s rental market continued to increase over this period for both houses and units, at 0.5% and 0.2% respectively, as did Brisbane, with a 0.4% increase for houses and 0.6% for units. 
Darwin experienced a marginal increase of 1.4% over the month in house rents, after a decrease of 8.0% over the 12 months. However, units continue to slide at 1.7% over the month and 7.9% over the 12 months.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="6" valign="top" width="409">
SQM Research Weekly Rents Index
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="132">
Week ending: 12 May 2019
</td>
<td width="59">
Rent $
</td>
<td width="70">
Change on previous week
</td>
<td width="85">
Rolling month % change
</td>
<td width="62">
12 month % change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
690.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
1.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-1.5%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
-5.0%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
505.2
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-0.2  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-0.3%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
-3.8%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
542.4
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-1.4  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-0.2%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
1.7%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
422.5
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
1.5  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.0%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
3.1%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
458.5
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
0.5  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.4%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
2.7%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
373.2
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
0.8  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.6%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
1.5%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
447.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
0.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.5%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
6.1%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
337.2
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
0.8  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.2%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
4.0%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Adelaide
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
391.6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-0.6  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-0.2%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
2.5%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
302.9
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
0.1  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.5%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
1.0%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Canberra
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
624.3
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-6.3  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-1.7%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
0.9%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
455.9
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-0.9  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.0%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
3.2%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Darwin
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
497.7
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-1.7  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
1.4%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
-8.0%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
370.6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-3.6  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-1.7%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
-7.9%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Hobart
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
426.8
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
2.2  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-0.3%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
7.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
374.8
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
12.2  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
2.3%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
4.0%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
National
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
443.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
2.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.5%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
1.4%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
363.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
-4.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-0.5%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
0.8%  
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top">
Cap City Average
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
554.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
1.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
-0.4%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
 0.0%   
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="56">
All Units
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
442.0
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
2.0  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="85">
0.2%  
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="62">
-0.7%  
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a href="http://www.sqmresearch.com.au/" target="_blank">www.sqmresearch.com.au</a>
You can visit SQM's <a href="http://www.sqmresearch.com.au/graph_vacancy.php?region=nsw::Sydney&amp;type=c&amp;t=1#terms" target="_blank">methodology page</a> for more information on how its vacancies are compiled.
</body></html>

Sydney vacancy rate jumps to 3.4% in April: SQM Research 

<html><body>
Two marinas situated on the Central and Mid North Coast of NSW have been listed through Knight Frank’s Richard Garland and Anthony Pirrottina.
Together, the two properties – Koolewong Marina and Marmong Point Marina – are expected to sell in excess of $29 million.
Marmong Point Marina (pictured above), at 1 Nanda Street, Marmong Point, is located on Lake Macquarie, and is one of the longest boating destinations in NSW. 
The facility comprises of approximately 50,000 square metres, including 10,000 square metres of freehold service yard and 235 wet berths. 
Koolewong Marina (pictured below), located at 19 Brisbane Water Drive in Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast, spans circa 15,725 square metres of wet and dry land. 
Koolewong has a secure new ground lease with a 30-year lease term from 2019.
<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/2019/5/14/Koolewong-Marina-R-Marine-21-2500.jpg" alt="">
According to Richard Garland, Knight Frank Director, Commercial Sales, NSW, the marinas will receive strong interest from marina owners and investors, both nationally and internationally due to the ideal locations, established cash flow and significant value add potential.  
“Marmong Point Marina’s current owners, developed and operated this premium market leading marina for over 14 years on Lake Macquarie.
“The marina, the two-storey commercial building and single level industrial building are close to 100% occupancy, with an experienced and well-structured management team in place to run the day-to-day operations. This provides the new owner with an income stream, in addition to the numerous opportunities to add value through development and expansion, available under the current zoning.” 
Koolewong Marina is situated in a highly desirable location within close proximity to a number of major residential hubs, strengthening future value add potential, according to Anthony Pirrottina, Knight Frank Senior Sales Executive, Commercial Sales, NSW.
“The marina comprises 71 wet berths along with a two-storey commercial building and 45 car spaces. While the new 30-year ground lease that commences this year provides long-term secure tenure for prospective buyers.
“Gosford and the NSW Central Coast remain one of the fastest growing population precincts in NSW, underpinning demand well into the future. Particularly given the marina’s proximity to the Koolewong Train Station and direct access to the Central Coast Highway 
“We anticipate both marinas will appeal to a wide range of owner operators and investors and as they present an excellent opportunity to acquire an investment with reliable income and upside potential.” 
1 Nanda Street, Marmong Point, and 19 Brisbane Water Drive, Koolewong, are for sale via Expressions of Interest, closing on 19 June 2019. Buyers can purchase either or both marinas.
</body></html>

Two NSW marinas hit the market

<html><body>
Australia’s hotel sector is entering the era of refurbishment and repositioning as owners identify the need to stay competitive in a changing market. 
According to Colliers International, maintaining facilities to the standards expected by discerning guests and determining how and when to upgrade those facilities is one of the biggest challenges faced by hotel owners. 
“Money never sleeps, and neither do hotels,” Karen Wales, Colliers International Director of Hotels, said.  
“It is a simple fact that eventually every property will need an upgrade but with the opening of more than 15,000 new rooms over the past three years, existing owners will need to consider expediting the renovation cycle to compete with significant new supply. 
“The majority of Australia’s accommodation rooms were built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The owners of these properties will need to give greater regard to major capital refurbishment plans, particularly if ongoing repairs and maintenance have not been maintained.”
<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/2019/5/14/HOTEL%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: Colliers International 
Nigel Greenaway, Colliers International National Director of Hotels, said.  said owners who carefully considered guests’ needs and used any property upgrade as an opportunity to reposition the asset would ultimately be the ones to get the most out of their renovation and improve the value of their hotel asset in the long-term.
“Capital expenditure can be initiated for many different reasons such as commercial business opportunity, compliance with current legislation (WHS/NCC/DDA), end of life replacement or meeting consumer trends,” Greenaway said. 
“But it should ultimately have the common objectives of maintaining market position and/ or upgrading the hotel business, increasing owners’ return in this highly competitive market with the future long-term goal to increase the real estate value of the property.” 
Greenaway said while a successful hotel refurbishment or renovation came with significant challenges, a major property refresh presented a hotel with the unique opportunity to reposition itself in the market and ultimately support its longer-term revenue goals. 
“Owners that take a considered approach, determining the right time to relaunch renovated rooms while also having the right pricing strategies in place, will ultimately get the most out of their renovation,” he said.
“Refurbishments can include both soft and hard elements, as well as a Return on Investment component.”
Ian Pert, Colliers International National Director of Project Management, said first impressions were of vital importance to helping guests distinguish between hotels or brands.
“The design of a hotel, both interior and exterior, is often the most effective way to make an exceptional first impression,” Pert said.
“Product offerings are also changing as hotels look to satisfy new ways of living and working.
“Current trends include a greater focus on the lobby as a central meeting point and the development of new food and beverage concepts which showcase local produce and meet a growing awareness of health a wellbeing. 
“The hotel sector is also under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint and develop truly sustainable operations. Hotel buildings have significant opportunities to reduce their energy, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and we will see this become a key focus as a growing number of owners look to refurbish.”
Pert said refurbishment programs rolled out in the near future would also have a greater focus on technology and distribution.
“Guests have a high expectation when it comes to technology capability, particularly of a high-end hotel,” he said.
“Most guests are self-sufficient, tech-savvy travellers who expect seamless connectivity across platforms and devices. 
“New developments include service automation, mobile device as door key and on-demand technology in relation to smart televisions.”
</body></html>

Australian hotels enter new era of refurbishment to adapt to changing market: Colliers

<html><body>
The design for a new Melbourne hotel has been revealed.
The 23-storey Park Hotel by Roxy Pacific at 360 Little Bourke Street will feature 319 guest rooms.
The hotel has been designed by architecture and interior design practice Bates Smart.
It will also feature a lobby lounge, a concept restaurant and roof top bar.
The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2021.
Bates Smart Director Cian Davis said the design pays homage to the site’s history as gateway to the historic horse stable and livestock auction sale yard, Kirk’s Bazaar.
“We have respected the urban context and character of the location that is surrounded by warehouse frontages,” he said.
“The site will be transformed to offer a respectful sense of verticality, with the façade reinterpreting the old beautiful red brickwork of the streetscape.
“Intimate internal spaces have been created on the ground floor plane to encourage social interactions and engagement with the other local restaurants and retailers.”
Bates Smart Director Brenton Smith said the interior features include “horse saddlery accents” and “blacksmith-inspired metal accents”.
“The hotel takes cues from Melbourne’s vibrant laneway culture, recognising the ‘urban grit’ of this former industrial neighbourhood and its surrounds,” Smith said.
“The interiors complement the architectural approach, creating create a sensory experience for guests.
“The traditional food and beverage model has been challenged to create a space for an independent operator that will offer guests an authentic, local neighbourhood experience.
“We responded to the laneway context of the site and brought this element of Melbourne’s café and street culture within the building.
“We also remodelled the conventional arrival experience to offer an inquisitive guest arrival journey.
“The ground floor plane is opened to encourage guests to walk through the relaxed food and beverage component before reaching reception for check-in.”
There will also be a a ballroom to accommodate meetings and events, said Ben Hopkins, Managing Director of Roxy-Pacific Australian and NZ.
“Conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne, the new Park Hotel Melbourne is a continuation of the Group’s strategic efforts to strengthen our hospitality and is in line with our plans to grow our stable of recurring income streams,” said Hopkins.
“Going forward, Australia’s tourism and hotel sector is expected to record strong growth in the coming years, likely to exceed the country’s broader economic growth, and should augur well for the new hotel.
“Bates Smart have been the perfect partner to grow our vision for the property, which we aspire to be the market leader in 4-star hotels in Melbourne CBD.”
</body></html>

Designs unveiled for Australia's first Park Hotel in Melbourne

<html><body>
The premises leased to the Manly waterfront Bar and Microbrewery overlooking Manly ferry terminal is now on the market. 
It has been offered by Michael Gilbert and Phys Parker from Burgess Rawson. 
Set on a 409 sqm land, the property at <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/properties/43-45-east-esplanade-manly-nsw-nsw003477/" target="_blank">29/43-45 East Esplanade</a> comes with a 10 year lease till 2026, to an inhouse microbrewery and restaurant and $213,000 pa net income.  
<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/2019/3/28/manly%202.jpg" alt="">
4 Pines Brewery is now owned by the world's largest beer company.
Anheuser-Busch InBev is the world’s largest brewer with over $60 billion in annual revenues selling 28% of the world's beer.
It is for sale by private treaty.
<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/2019/3/28/manly%203.jpg" alt="">
</body></html>

Waterfront East Esplanade, Manly microbrewery premises for sale

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
AFL premiership fancies GWS Giants have taken up a lease for a 77 sqm Docklands suite near the league’s headquarters in the Melbourne CBD. 
Samuel Friend and Stephen Land of Fitzroys negotiated the three-year lease with a two-year option at Suite 101/198 Harbour Esplanade, just moments from AFL House and the adjacent AFL-owned Marvel Stadium.
The Giants agreed to pay $450 per sqm with 3% annual increases for its new Melbourne offices.
Friend said more than 50 enquiries were received during the campaign.
He stated, "the suite offers ample natural light with fantastic views west overlooking the harbour and towards the Bolte Bridge, and as expected attracted tenants from a range of industries including tech companies, law firms, not-for-profits and media agencies."
“For the Giants, the suite presented an excellent opportunity to set up an office conveniently close to AFL House and enhance their communication capabilities with the league.
“Spaces of this type attract a great deal of attention when they become available, as vacancies across Docklands have continued to firm in the first several months of 2019 and are now at the tightest level of any of Melbourne’s central precincts," Friend concluded.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

GWS Giants take up Dockland lease near AFL House

<html><body>
Coles Amaroo Village, a new shopping centre located in the northern suburbs of Canberra, is set to be offered for sale.
Steven Lerche and Nic Purdue of Savills Australia and Philip Gartland and William Blanch of Stonebridge have been exclusively appointed by Coles Group Property Development Ltd to sell the centre.
Comprised of 4,600 sqm the centre features a non-discretionary tenancy mix, with 80% of the gross floor area secured to Coles and Liquorland on a brand-new long-term lease.
Complemented by eight specialty shops including a pharmacy, real estate agency, barber, Indian Grocer and various food offerings.
According to Savills, the ACT retail investment market has continued to be extremely tightly held, with only 3 retail properties between $15m to $40m transacting in the past five years. 
Independent research firm MacroPlan Dimas found, the trade area’s population is forecast to grow by 3.8% p.a. to 2031, more than double the Australian average of 1.4% p.a.
Located at 815 Horse Park Drive, Amaroo, it is the only full-line supermarket within the catchment and the centre produces an estimated Net Income of $1,850,000 p.a.
Savills Australia National Director of Retail Investments, Steven Lerche said “Amaroo Village is an outstanding convenience and non-discretionary retail hub, ideally located within the town centre. The strength and appeal of the town centre will be enhanced with the only Aldi in the area, located opposite the site, under construction and due for completion late-2019.
The site is within walking distance to the northern suburbs’ two major schools and a day care centre.
Mr Lerche added, “neighbourhood centres along the East Coast, particularly in the major capital cities, regularly command yields of sub 6%, as seen in the sale of Cranebrook Village at 5.30% in Western Sydney, Woolworths Caloundra at 5.67% on the Sunshine Coast and Coburg North Village in Melbourne rumoured to be sub 5%."
“Investors place a premium on neighbourhood centres offering a net lease structure such as that offered at Coles Amaroo Village,” he concluded.
Savills and Stonebride anticipate Amaroo Village will receive high levels of interest from a variety of local and international groups.
The international expressions of interest campaign being run by Savills and Stonebridge closes June 19th 2019.
</body></html>

Savills marketing Amaroo Village shopping centre in Canberra

<html><body>
Ray White Marine, the largest full service marine brokerage in Australasia, has established a new office within the Royce-Rolls Motor Cars Showroom in Richmond.
CEO and founder Rick Rodwell said the business already had many existing luxury yacht clients in Melbourne, which was home to the highest number of megayacht owners (above 40m) in Australia, so the initiative will also provide local support for both these new and pre-owned brokerage vessel owners.
“Ray White Marine’s Melbourne office will provide the Victorian market with the first sales and service presence of a leading global euro luxury motor yacht brand as the exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributor for Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, and the iconic Riva marque. Other brands in the Ferretti Group include semi displacement and planing yachts from Custom Line, and the full custom superyacht from 45m to 90m built by the CRN shipyard,” Mr Rodwell said.
Ray White Marine is also appointed the Australian and New Zealand distributor for Technohull high performance bespoke RIBS.
The move will also expand the marine auction program to conduct events locally for buyers and sellers alike in consort with the more than 90 local offices in the Ray White real estate network in Victoria.
“Connoisseurs of high end luxury motor cars tend to be interested in luxury yachts, and vice versa, so it makes sense to form an association of this nature,” said Zagame Automotive founder and managing director, Bobby Zagame.
The Ferretti Group has announced the launch of the Riva 50m Megayacht hull #1.
Ray White Marine officially opens in Melbourne this May 15 from 6pm on Level one of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showroom, 420 Swan St, Richmond.
</body></html>

Ray White Marine opens it's doors in Melbourne

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

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;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

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;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

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

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News