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A local investor has paid $508,000 for a Little Collins Street retail investment at a record $39,077 psm rate for a strata titled CBD retail property.
The deal, brokered by Teska Carson‘s Gideon Marcus, was for shop 11, 530 Little Collins Street in the Exchange Tower building.
Situated on the building’s ground floor, the property comprises a 13 sqm space currently leased to Exchange Tower Newsagency on a five year term from August 2015 with a five year option.
The property has a current rental income of $47,896.68 plus GST.
Featuring three street frontages the shop has pedestrian access via Little Collins Street, Church Street and Union Place.
The 12,230 sqm Exchange Tower comprises ground floor and mezzanine level retail tenancies and 207 upper level office suites which are fully occupied housing approximately 1000 workers.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Local investor purchases Lt Collins retail property at record $39,000 psm

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Aqualand has been shortlisted for the next phase of the NSW State Government’s Waterloo Metro Quarter Development.
They are now in the request for tender stage.
Aqualand’s team includes CPB Contractors and community housing partner, City West Housing.
John Carfi, Chief Executive Officer of Aqualand said, “The Waterloo Metro Development Quarter will be a key catalyst for change and will set the highest possible standard for successful urban renewal”.
The Waterloo Metro Quarter will be integrated with the new Waterloo Station and will deliver new homes, shops, community services and a new public plaza.
<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/2018/12/7/Waterloo%20Station%202.jpg" alt="">
Located 700m from Redfern Station and 880m to Green Square Station The proposed development will comprise approximately 700 new homes above and adjacent to the new Waterloo Station.
The Waterloo Metro Quarter will deliver up to 10% affordable housing and 70 social housing dwellings as part of the new community.
Waterloo Metro Quarter will feature approximately 4000 sqm of locally focused retail and approximately 9000 sqm of commercial space, shared offices and health services.
It is due to open to the public in 2024.
The design team for the project includes Architects Tzannes, Turner, Silvester Fuller, GHD and Oculus.
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Aqualand shortlisted for Waterloo metro quarter development

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The Red Lion Hotel in Moorooka has been sold to Publican Peter Braithwaite for an undisclosed price.
Peter Braithwaite, was the previous owner of the Commercial Hotel in Lake Macquarie.
Glenn Price of HTL Property, in conjunction with Tom Gleeson of JLL Hotels, held the listing for 215 Beaudesert Rd, Moorooka, and ran the targeted expressions of interest campaign.
Set on 820 sqm, the property is just 9km from Brisbane CBD.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/7/Red%20Lion%20Hotel%202.jpg" alt="">
The hotel recently underwent an extensive internal and external renovation which now comprises a large public bar, bistro, and 28 gaming entitlements.
HTL Property’s Director Glenn Price said, "NSW publicans continue to view QLD as an opportune hunting ground to expand their portfolios.
"Not only are large corporate groups firmly focused on the state but independent operators looking to break into the market continue to run the ruler over available opportunities," he added.
Peter suggested a rebranding of the pub is likely and that he is upgrading the gaming room with 20 new machines.
HTL Property earlier this year sold The Rising Sun Hotel in Townsville, for over $20million, to Redcape who are shortly to list on the ASX.
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Publican Peter Braithwaite has purchased The Red Lion Hotel in Moorooka

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A Port Hedland duplex has time-travelled 20 years, and $460,000, back in time to sell for just $95,000 by the mortgagee in possession.
It's the same price <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-duplex+semi-detached-wa-port+hedland-128443178" target="_blank">46a Moore Street</a> scored when it sold back in 1999.
In 2010, however, the 1966 built property sold for $555,000.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/12/6/Port%20Hedland%202.JPG" alt="">
The two bedroom one bathroom semi-detached home is one street back from the beach.
Set on 482 sqm the home boasts original floorboards throughout as well as a double undercover carport.
Featuring an open plan living and dining arrangement the duplex also has a fully fenced backyard large enough for a pool.
The house was originally sold by the state housing commission for $29,000 in 1994.
The recent sale was listed as sold by the First National office, whose recent sale successes put them in the group's top 10 performers, resulting a reward with attendance at the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) convention in Boston.
 
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Time travelling Port Hedland home sold by mortgagee

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Investment and development firm Leda Holdings has purchased a property in Yennora’s industrial precinct for $8.75 million.
The property at 51A-51B, Kiora Crescent is a 13,780 square metre site with development potential.
CBRE’s Elijah Shakir and Jason Edge, who negotiated the sale, said it was the final sale in the second stage sell-down of LOGOS Property’s Alcoa land subdivision. 
Shakir said the sale price which reflected a land rate of $635 per square metre, was a record rate in the suburb. 
“Yennora continues to strengthen as a highly desirable industrial precinct, with land rates increasing over 50% in the region over the past 24 months,” he said.
“LOGOS has played an important part in the area’s transformation and ongoing appeal with the staged subdivision of the former Alcoa site.
“The region has experienced a significant uplift through the land subdivision, with both owner occupiers and investors benefitting as they either redevelop, refurbish or submit plans to council.
“The future of Yennora has captured the imagination of a number of high profile investors.
“Recognising the area’s growth, Leda Holdings has been an active land purchaser in Western Sydney for a significant time, with this sale further demonstrating its desire to build up its development pipeline in the area.”
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Leda Holdings snaps up $8.45 million Yennora land parcel

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A two bedroom Erskineville apartment recently sold at auction for $875,000.
It was listed with a price guide of $850,000 and last traded for $550,000 in October 2009.
 <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/2018/11/26/erskineville%201.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-erskineville-129712586" target="_blank">17/612 King Street, Erskineville</a>, the 125 square metre unit comes with two bedrooms with BIRs, open plan living area opening to balcony, gourmet large kitchen and security parking.
Additional features include ample storage, security intercom, internal laundry and visitor parking.
The building is located on the edge of Erskineville and Newtown and near cafes, restaurants, shops and Dendy Cinemas.
It was listed through Silvia Vitale of Laing+Simmons Potts Point.
<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/2018/11/26/erskineville%202.jpg" alt=""> 
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Erskineville apartment sells under the hammer for $875,000

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Pet days, massage treatments and yoga classes are among the new wave of health and wellness benefits landlords are using to attract tenants in Brisbane, according to Knight Frank.
Jamie Nason, Knight Frank Director of Office Leasing, said these are quickly becoming an important point of difference in a competitive market. 
“Owners will always have to improve their offering, particularly around the health and wellness area, to remain competitive, especially since tenants have quite a bit of choice,” he said.
“A building needs to tick every box or a landlord runs the risk of not securing the next tenant, and health and wellness is a key aspect for many tenants as it not only increases their enjoyment of the office, but attracts quality employees to their businesses.
“Landlords aren’t the only ones focusing on health and wellness offerings of course; companies are also continuing to offer more in this space, with more innovative offerings being rolled out.”
According to Nason, the current wellness offerings in the Brisbane office leasing market are:
<ul>
<li>End of Trip (EOT) facilities</li>
</ul>
While they have long been part of buildings, EOT facilities are fast becoming much more fancy, said Nason.
“Owners are up-speccing the standards for EOT, particularly owners of B-Grade buildings. Most EOTs now have a complimentary towel service, lockers, airing rooms, ironing boards and GHD hair dryers/straighteners.”
<ul>
<li>Fitness</li>
</ul>
Subsidised gym memberships and personal training courses are among the factors major firms are looking to for their staff.
Nason pointed to Knight Frank's recent National Steps Challenge, where around 70% of the Brisbane office participated in walking 10,000 steps over a month, as an example of the fitness programs being sponsored.
<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/2018/11/2/340%20adelaide%20st%20.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>Yoga/meditation</li>
</ul>
Buildings such as 340 Adelaide Street (pictured above) and 127 Creek Street in Brisbane are among those who have introduced yoga and meditation days for tenants within the building.
Nason said that these classes are held in vacant areas of the building, and contrast from companies offering them within their own fitouts, such as boardrooms, which has been common in recent years.
<ul>
<li>Massage treatments</li>
</ul>
Companies such as Knight Frank are providing massage treatments from major health fund like Bupa.
<ul>
<li>Animal pet days</li>
</ul>
340 Adelaide Street offers tenants a ‘Bring Your Dog to Work Day’, which started on August 14 this year. The landlord, Mirvac, was the first landlord in Queensland to offer this.
Ben McGrath, Knight Frank Partner and Head of Queensland, said in line with many companies in Brisbane and nationally, Knight Frank placed huge importance on health and wellness for employees.
“Every year we have a had a national Wellness Week to coincide with RUOK Day, and this year we held events and raised funds for that cause,” he said.
“This included the 10,000 step competition, with other activities rolled out being morning meditations, free neck and shoulder massages, the provision of healthy kitchen snacks, a lunchtime walking group and a month-long Friday morning touch football competition.
“The activities have proven to be very successful, and the step competition and lunchtime walking group will continue indefinitely. We walk along the riverfront or through the Botanical Gardens, or to the Farmers Markets at Brisbane Square.
“The business also closed at 3pm on Friday, September 14, the day after RUOK day, to promote ongoing work/life balance.
“Knight Frank also offers free counselling services for all staff and their families, accessible for any reason at all and at any time, without any need to talk to anyone in the business, including HR.”
McGrath said Knight Frank was continuing to monitor its health and wellness offerings, updating them as required.
“We are listening to what our employees want,” he said. “One of the newest offerings in the pipeline as a result of employee demand is the plan to start a vegetable and herb garden.
“Not every tenancy can do this, but we are somewhat unique in having a balcony on which we can start the garden.
“Employees would be welcome to some of the produce and we would also use it for preparing food and drinks at functions held on the balcony, such as mint for mojitos and herbs for slow-cooked meats.”
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Puppies, massages and yoga: The new factors attracting Brisbane landlords

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Adjoining retail shops in Brighton have sold for the first time in 30 years for a combined $1.75 million.
The sale of the 342 square metre site over the two titles at 617 &amp; 619 Hampton Street stores reflected a yield of 1.9%, and land rate of $5,116 per square metre.
617 Hampton Street was offered with vacant possession while 619 Hampton Street is leased to longstanding tenant Hampton St Organic Produce, returning $33,581 per annum plus outgoings and GST.
Fitzroys agents Mark Talbot and Tom Fisher said the properties were Zoned Commercial 1 and are also subject to a DD012 Overlay with a preferred development height of 11 metres.
“The property attracted strong interest interest from investors, owner occupiers and developers looking for a rare chance to acquire a versatile and underutilised bayside freehold, leading to competition between multiple bidders at auction,” Talbot said.
Talbot said despite tightened lending conditions, vacant retail properties have been trading strongly throughout Melbourne.
“Cashed-up investors and owner occupiers will continue to be active in this space, as the low interest rate environment is expected to remain for some time,” he said.
He noted the recent sale of the former premises of the Brighton favourite Wild Holly Cakes on nearby Bay Street as an example.
“Demand from investors and owner occupiers to gain a presence in the blue-ribbon suburb has spilled over from the dominant Church Street retail strip,” Talbot said.
“The superb fundamentals of an affluent and growing immediate catchment have made a notable impact on one of Melbourne’s most highly regarded suburbs.”
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Adjoining shops in Brighton with development potential sold

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A Toorak modernist home designed by popular mid-century architect Anatol Kagan has hit the market.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-129849898" target="_blank">4 Theodore Court, Toorak</a>, the home is for sale through an expressions of interest campaign ending December 10.
It has a price guide of $3.75 - $4 million.
<img src="https://www.realestate.com.au/blog/images/1600x1600-fit,progressive/2018/11/23170031/capi_53ca080226ad44e6319fcbf6a9fd992c_9a7fcb68649d10a78242a2db9e3f005c.jpeg" alt="" data-capiid="9a7fcb68649d10a78242a2db9e3f005c">
The property is located six kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD.
Last sold in 2007, the 1956 home went for $1.45 million.
The house also features a rooftop terrace.
<img src="https://www.realestate.com.au/blog/images/1600x1600-fit,progressive/2018/11/23170049/capi_53ca080226ad44e6319fcbf6a9fd992c_a4393da342889c93429d7299a7a508ab.jpeg" alt="" data-capiid="a4393da342889c93429d7299a7a508ab">
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Modernist Toorak home designed by Anatol Kagan listed

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A new residence atop the Yarra Boulevard escarpment in Kew’s Studley Park precinct is now on the market.
Edition Office, Flack Studio and Eckersley Garden Architecture are leading the project which boasts uninterrupted views of the Yarra River and Yarra Bend Golf Course, as well as the rolling hills of Mount Macedon.
The project, Fenwick comprises of three separate pavilions with two town homes, three apartments and five apartments respectively.
50% of the Fenwick site is dedicated to landscaping.
ANGLE Development Manager, Marcus Boscarato, said Fenwick will be of interest to both professionals and downsizers who love nature but need to live near the city, as well as those who value good design.
Fenwick is a 15-minute drive from CBD and a short walk to Kew Junction.
“Due to the restrictive planning controls, in particular, the heritage overlay, and the lack of properties changing hands in this precinct, Fenwick is literally one-of-a-kind and those familiar with the area will know how rare these properties truly are,” Boscarato said.
Interest has been noted as strong with prices ranging from $2.5 million to $5 million.
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New Yarra Boulevard development Fenwick hits the market 

A mix of Gold Coast locals, fly-in, fly-out purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane-based families has driven early sales success at Broadbeach's newest apartment tower, Lumara.

The 26-level project, a joint venture between builder-developer 5Point Projects and Bourke Projects, comprises just 37 luxury residences and is attracting a buyer profile that is looking for exclusivity, above the most amenity-rich suburb on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=364156]

Jamie Bourke, Director of Bourke Projects, says every buyer secured so far intends to use Lumara as a lock-up-and-leave residence, combining holiday use with the ability to work remotely when required.

“The size of the apartments, both half- and full-floor options, and the different zones within the floorplans, lends itself perfectly to dedicated home office setups and multi-generational family holidays,” Bourke says.

That flexibility has become a key drawcard for affluent buyers seeking a second residence on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the ability to conduct business away from their primary home base.

The absence of holiday letting within the building has also resonated strongly with purchasers.

“This type of buyer doesn't need to generate holiday rental income,” Bourke says. “They're paying for exclusivity, privacy and certainty around who their neighbours are.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366491]

The strong demand comes amid broader shifts in the high-end apartment market following the Federal Budget announcements in May.

“We were already seeing strong enquiry from high-net-worth buyers, but that has only accelerated since the policy changes,” Bourke says.

“A lot of those buyers are looking to place more capital into premium lifestyle assets rather than investment-grade stock that has been targeted by the Federal Government.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366486]

Designed by Cottee Parker, Lumara adopts a slender, sculpted form with an emphasis on natural materials suited to its beachfront setting. The architectural approach draws on coastal influences, with a palette of stone, timber and concrete selected for durability and the ability to weather over time.

Apartments are limited to three and four-bedroom configurations, with a maximum of two residences per floor through the mid-levels and a selection of full-floor and dual-level homes in the upper levels. All apartments are oriented to the north to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and views across the ocean, city skyline and hinterland.

A two-level amenity offering is positioned high within the building on levels 20 and 21, conceived as a sky wellness retreat. Facilities include a magnesium pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, alongside more social spaces such as a private dining room, resident lounge, workspaces and outdoor barbecue areas integrated with landscaped greenery.

The uppermost levels are reserved for larger-format residences, including several full-floor homes and a dual-level penthouse with its own private wellness features and recreational spaces.

&nbsp;

To give buyers confidence, 5Point and Bourke commenced construction ahead of the apartments launching to the market, a sure-fire way to prove they mean business, and the building will be delivered. They are targeting a 2028 completion date.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150454]

Joel Robinson

Locals, interstate holiday makers, drive early sales at Lumara, Broadbeach's newest luxury apartment tower

Often when it comes to purchasing property, the biggest barrier to entry is the deposit. Buyers of established homes typically aim for a 20 per cent deposit to avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance, while most property transactions require around a 10 per cent deposit when contracts are exchanged.

The off-the-plan market works differently, with buyers typically paying a deposit during construction and settling the balance upon completion. As completion approaches at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fabbrica-fitzroy-369-gore-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fabbrica Fitzroy</a>, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace</a> is making it easier for buyers to secure a residence through a deposit-matching incentive. Purchasers need only contribute a five per cent deposit*, with Pace matching the remaining five per cent.

The offer comes as Pace unveils a completed display apartment and townhouse, now available for inspection by appointment ahead of the project's Spring completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371009]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/winwood-mckenzie-architecture">Winwood Mckenzie</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, Fabbrica draws on Fitzroy’s industrial and manufacturing history, incorporating references to the former Argyle Shirt Factory and Life Savers Confectionery Company that once occupied the site.

The development comprises 85 residences, spanning low-maintenance apartments through to larger-format townhouses with private street access and double lock-up garages, a relatively uncommon offering in Fitzroy’s higher-density apartment market.

Pace says the project has been designed to appeal to buyers seeking inner-city convenience without sacrificing space, flexibility, or amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371016]

Inside the residences, Winwood Mckenzie has focused on adaptable layouts and integrated detailing, with features including custom joinery, and concealed storage solutions. The material palette leans into warm, tactile finishes intended to complement the building’s industrial architectural language.

Fabbrica’s rooftop amenity is a key part of the project offering. Spanning around 800 sqm, the communal rooftop includes a private dining room, communal kitchen, lounge spaces, work-from-home zones, and outdoor dining areas overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371017]

Landscape architecture studio Acre has introduced a layered rooftop garden designed to soften the urban setting while creating a more communal environment for residents.

The Fitzroy location also positions residents within walking distance of Brunswick Street, Smith Street, parks, cafés, galleries, and public transport, while remaining only minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The project has an enviable Walk Score of 96.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371025]

Pace, which is also delivering the project as builder, has developed more than 100 projects across Melbourne over the past three decades. The vertically integrated approach has become increasingly common among developers seeking greater control over construction delivery amid broader market pressures affecting the apartment sector.

The strikingly contemporary Gore Street development is now around 70 per cent complete, with purchasers expected to move into their new homes in Spring 2026. A limited number of residences remain available under the current deposit match offer.

*Conditions apply in relation to the deposit match offer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139552]

Pace offers five per cent deposit match at Fabbrica Fitzroy ahead of Spring completion

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Why Hyecorp continues to back Sydney's Lower North Shore apartment market

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

SEQ apartment demand outpacing affordable supply as construction timelines stretch: RPM

Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

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Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Staff reporter

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