<html><body>
The former director of a collapsed Byron Bay-based luxury real estate agency, Nicolette van Wijngaarden has been ordered to surrender her two passports under strict bail conditions.
<div>
The real estate agent specialising in luxury properties has been charged with 15 fraud offences after she allegedly misused $3.69 million.
Nicolette van Wijngaarden, 44, was the director of Unique Estates, a boutique real estate agency now under liquidation which specialised in selling multi-million dollar properties in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
She is accused of fraudulently dealing with home deposits paid to her company.
Ms van Wijngarden is also accused of "falsely representing" that $1,165,876 from rental properties would remain in the Unique Estates trust account until the money was paid to the property owners.
The charges span from May 2016 to February 2018.
</div>
<div class="_1ysFk">
<div class="_1665V undefined">
According to court documents, the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions took over the case in September.
Ms van Wijngaarden was excused from attending Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court when the case was mentioned yesterday.
It is set to return to the Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on January 31 when Ms van Wijngaarden is also excused from appearing on that date. 
She has had to hand in both her Australian and Dutch passports as a condition of bail.
She is forbidden from entering any international airport or other point of departure from Australia.
She is also required to report to St Kilda police station once a week, given she now resides in Elwood.
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Unique Estate's Nicolette van Wijngaarden ordered to surrender passports

<html><body>
A mixed use site in Elwood with development potential has been listed.
The 336 square metre 63 &amp; 63A Glenhuntly Road property is currently home to a medical centre with five consulting rooms, as well as an apartment with a balcony.
The property has a combined $103,680 per annum return.
The Elwood Family Clinic has a permit to extend the practice to eight rooms. 
The property is located between Broadway and Ruskin streets  and is zoned Commercial 1, which promotes mixed use development including retail, office, business, entertainment and community uses, as well as residential. 
The marketing agents, Teska Carson’s George Takis and Larry Takis, said the area is seeing an upsurge in popularity with residential and commercial developments completed in recent years.
“This exceptional property is prominently positioned within the tightly held Elwood retail/commercial precinct, and within one of Melbourne’s most popular bayside residential areas,” George Takis said.
“The location benefits from excellent amenities including a plethora of retail, cafes, restaurants, recreational facilities, bayside beaches, and is only 7.5 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD.”
The property will be auctioned onsite on Thursday, November 29 at 12pm. 
</body></html>

Mixed-use Elwood investment with extension permit set for auction 

<html><body>
A near-new petrol station in Echuca has sold for $7.5million on a 6.5% yield.
Property industry players Peter Spargo and Bill Guest were the vendors of the 161-189 Ogilvie Avenue property.
It is leased to United Petroleum and Hungry Jacks until 2028 with options to extend.
The site contains a 1,191 square metre building on a 5,240 square metre site.
Colliers International’s Daniel Wolman, Anthony Kirwan and Harry Bui in conjunction with Melcorp Commercial’s Paul Jones and Tim Spargo sold the property via an expression of interest campaign.
“The collaborative approach to the sales campaign for this regionally located property proved to be highly successful, with multiple offers received at the conclusion of the EOI process,” Wolman said.  
“The successful purchaser, a private investor from Victoria, acquired the property for $7.5million, a sale price which reflects a tight regional yield of 6.7%. 
“The sale, which has set a new benchmark for the local property market, is another sign that despite a reported cooling in market conditions and funding concerns, the market is still awash with cash buyers and is highly competitive.” 
Kirwan said buyers were increasingly looking for alternative investment options. 
“The major appeal of this asset was the high calibre tenant covenant, fixed income growth and the fact that having been so recently developed, an astute buyer could reap the rewards of newly constructed improvements and great depreciation benefits,” he said. 
</body></html>

Near-new Echuca service station sold for $7.5 million

<html><body>
One of the world's largest fund management groups has disputed suggestions about a collapse of the Australian residential property market.
Vanguard, which has $7 trillion under management globally, claims slowing residential property market is unlikely to turn into a sharp downturn that could derail economic growth. 
Vanguard says there is only a low risk of a sharp correction.
The US funds house conducted an in-depth analysis of four of the world’s largest and most developed housing markets.
It found that Australia and Canada stood out because of their high cost of housing and high levels of household debt, even compared to the US and Britain.
The house price to income ratio in Australia for the quartile is the highest ever, while household debt to GDP is ­approaching an all-time high of 122%.
Vanguard determined that Australia’s housing market rally had “exceeded expectations” ­beyond traditional measures of housing demand versus supply, interest rates and foreign investment.
However, the fund manager’s economists considered there was a low risk of falls causing a ­recession in all markets studied, including Australia.
“A big unknown is how households deal with their high debt given the slow income growth in Australia, however, and this will be a large factor in what transpires in Australia’s housing market,” Vanguard economist Matthew Tufano said.
“However, the large pipeline of housing — mostly apartments — coming into the market in Australia could effect a more gradual moderation in house prices, rather than a sharp ­correction.”
</body></html>

Property slowdown to be short and shallow, not sharp: Vangaurd

<html><body>
ASX listed non-bank lender Homeloans and Resimac, which merged in 2016, are to be renamed and relaunched as Resimac Group, subject to shareholder approval.
The companies have been operating under separate brands since the merger. They are expected to combine operations under the same name in early December.
A spokesman for Homeloans said mortgage brokers will continue to deal with the same administrative and lending teams.
An announcement is pending on the branding of its wholesale funding range, but the existing range of products are not expected to be changed.
Resimac's business model primarily consists of the sale of mortgages financed through funding in the wholesale market, whilst Homeloans focuses on originating loans that are funded through other lenders, which include banks and non-bank lenders such as Resimac.
Resimac is a player in the residential mortgage backed securities market, raising billions of funding through the issuance of bonds.
</body></html>

Homeloans and Resimac to be relaunched as Resimac Group

<html><body>
A five bedroom estate with uninterrupted views over the Brisbane Water estuary is on the market for offers upwards of $2.75 million.
Located at 96 Daley Avenue, Daleys Point, the house is set in an exclusive waterfront enclave.
Set on a 2,276 square metre block, the house is complete with a fully appointed boat house and comes equipped with its own private jetty.
Owner Mary Tullipan, the co-founder of Tullipan Homes, built the house in 1998 with her late husband David Tullipan and is downsizing to be nearer her family.
<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/2018/11/8/Daley%201.jpg" alt="">
Ray White Bensville and Empire Bay Principal Matthew Kidd hold the listing.
Kidd said the three level home was “designed for effortless family living, the five-bedroom home's choice of living zones, sun-drenched terraces and large sparkling infinity edge pool deliver the wow factor at every turn”.
Expressions of interest for the property close on November 22.
</body></html>

Five bedroom waterfront estate for sale in Daleys Point

<html><body>
Kildare, a 1900s Essendon home that has been transformed by its architect owner, has sold.
The vendor only retained the facade of the home, and renovated and extended the rear into a fully customised family home.
Julia Murphy from McDonald Upton had a $3 million to $3.3 million guide.
The multi-level home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-essendon-129415078" target="_blank">27 Richardson Street</a> comprises four bedrooms, multi-zoned living spaces, sitting room/home office and fully appointed Gaggenau kitchen. 
<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/2018/11/8/ess1.jpg" alt="">
Other features include outdoor entertainment terrace, salt-water pool, rear lane-way access and off-street parking for up to five cars.
The architect-owner has renovated its Kildare’s period facade.
<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/2018/10/22/essendon%203.jpg" alt="">
It is close to Essendon Station, Mt Alexander Road tram lines, the area’s premier schools and amenity-rich North Essendon Village.
The suburb's median house price sits at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-essendon-129415078" target="_blank"> $1.4 million</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
</body></html>

Transformed Essendon home Kildare sells

<html><body>
A 1912 original weatherboard home in Southern Highlands is now on the market with a price guide of $1.4 million after being held by the same family for 43 years.
Set on a 1,246 sqm block, the home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bowral-128529742" target="_blank">70 Bendooley Street, Bowral</a> comes with original features including pressed metal ceilings, beautiful decorative cornices, ornate doorway trims, high ceilings and timber floors. 
<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/2018/10/26/bowral%202.jpg" alt="">
The house comprises of four bedrooms, formal lounge and dining rooms, updated kitchen, home office with glass doors, and attached studio at the rear. 
It has been recently extended. 
<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/2018/10/26/bowral%203.jpg" alt="">
Angus Campbell-Jones from Campbell Jones has the listing.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/bowral-nsw-2576">$940,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
 
 
</body></html>

Original Southern Highlands home listed after four decades

<html><body>
A Pearl Beach home, known as the White House on Beryl, has hit the market with a price guide of $1.85 million to $2 million.
Located at 18 Beryl Boulevard, Pearl Beach the home is just 250 metres from the water. It last traded for $1.5 million in 2006.
The home is set on 675 sqm and has three separate living areas which lead to a Mediterranean inspired pool deck.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/8/Pearl%20Beach.JPG" alt="">
The three bedroom, two bathroom house features a pool and cabana.
PRD Nationwide agents Dale Bassett and Madi Holt are marketing the home. 
</body></html>

Pearl Beach's White House on Beryl listed

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has once again made the decision to keep the nation’s official cash rate on hold at 1.50%, reaffirming its long-running stance on monetary policy.
However, the official cash rate does not give a clear indication of what is happening with Australian home loan rates as lenders move their rates on a regular basis, pushing up borrowing costs for new and existing customers.
Following lenders’ recent out of cycle rate increases, mortgage rates edged higher in September, with the average discounted rate for owner occupiers rising from 4.50% to 4.55%, according to recent data from CoreLogic.
“Whether lenders’ rates will lift further is dependent on a number of economic factors and at present Australian economic conditions are positive on the whole and have given the RBA no reason to change its current position on monetary policy.
GDP growth has been above potential levels and business conditions are positive. The pace of increase in household indebtedness has slowed and the labour market is strong. While wage growth is benign, it is expected to grow. That being said, inflation continues to underperform market expectations and national dwelling values continue to ease. National Australia Bank’s Monthly Business Survey revealed that business conditions remained well above average and business confidence was around average levels in September. The latest Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment revealed that consumer sentiment rose in September, however the recent leadership change in Canberra, increasing mortgage rates and declining house prices were weighing on confidence. The most recent Labour Force Survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed that employment growth is strong. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is the lowest in over six years, and is largely considered to be the natural rate of unemployment in Australia. According to the most recent CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index, national dwelling values continue on their correction, taking the annual decline to 3.5% in October, signalling the weakest conditions since February 2012. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) September quarter Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) report revealed headline and core inflation remain below the bottom of the RBA board’s target band, giving them little incentive to alter the cash rate. In the minutes of the October monetary policy meeting, RBA board members reflected on the changes to lending standards and observed that standards could tighten further and competition for borrowers of high credit quality remained strong.
In a housing market where house prices are declining, home loan interest rates rising despite a stagnant official cash rate and home loan applications are being scrutinised more than ever before, it’s never been more important for prospective buyers to ensure they look good on paper and seek guidance from a qualified mortgage professional. Increasingly, Australian consumers are responding to the tightened lending environment by seeking the guidance of a mortgage broker. According to the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA), the broker channel is growing, with over 55% of new residential home loans originating through brokers in the March quarter 2018. Going forward, I would urge those looking to buy their first home or investment property, or looking to refinance an existing loan to speak to a mortgage broker first and early on in their home loan journey. 
SUSAN MITCHELL is the CEO of Mortgage Choice (pictured above).
</body></html>

Policy makers make safe bet on cash rate: Mortgage Choice

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skymark-group">Skymark</a>'s boutique Cronulla development Solis has secured a 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy through Resilience Insurance, providing buyers of the 16-residence building on Ewos Parade with structural and waterproofing protection that extends a decade beyond the building's completion.

Currently under construction and due for completion in late 2027, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/solis-cronulla-8-ewos-parade-cronulla-nsw-2230">Solis</a> is one of a small number of new developments in the Sutherland Shire to carry Resilience LDI coverage, a distinction that carries increasing weight as buyer confidence in the off-the-plan sector continues to be shaped by how developers stand behind their product.

Latent Defects Insurance, which entered the Australian market in 2022 when Resilience Insurance was approved to offer the cover, protects buyers against major structural or waterproofing defects for ten years post-completion. Unlike traditional statutory warranties, it operates as a first-resort policy, if a covered defect arises, the insurer responds directly, without the buyer needing to pursue the builder or developer through a lengthy claims process.

Resilience Insurance CEO Corey Nugent has noted that the product addresses something fundamental to the new apartment market.

"The overarching feedback from prospective buyers in the new development space is that they want more confidence and assurances around the quality of the build," Nugent says.

"Resilience Insurance Latent Defects Insurance not only gives them complete peace of mind for 10 years, but it shows the developer they are buying from is standing by their product."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370898]

For Solis, the Resilience LDI policy adds a meaningful layer of accountability to an already considered project. The development comprises nine two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom residences, including one dual-level three-bedroom apartment, across a five-storey building on Ewos Parade, positioned between Shelly Beach and South Cronulla.

Garden apartments connect directly to private landscaped courtyards, while upper-level homes capture beach views to the east from level four and above.&nbsp;

All 16 residences include at least one balcony or courtyard, and select apartments on the upper floors feature bar areas and secondary flexible living spaces.

Hiba Sander, Managing Director of Skymark, says Solis offers a rare balance, nestled between the quiet beauty of secluded beaches and the lively charm of South Cronulla's esplanade.

"It's a place to choose your pace and live gracefully, seaside'," Sander says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370900]

The architecture, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ida-design-group">IDA Design Group</a>'s Michael Trinh, draws from the natural erosion patterns of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/cronulla-nsw-2230">Cronulla</a>'s sandstone headlands, translating the organic forms of the coastline into soft curves, pavilion-style massing, and a material palette chosen for longevity in a salt-tinged environment.&nbsp;

Textured natural stone, soft renders, and timber-look battens reference the tones of the surrounding cliffs, while the building has been oriented to maximise natural light and passive ventilation, with primary living spaces facing north and east to capture morning sun and sea breezes.

"At Solis, our aim was to create architecture that feels quietly confident, grounded in natural materials like stone and timber, and elevated by light and landscape," Trinh says.&nbsp;

"The buildings are designed to sit gently within their coastal surrounds, with expansive glazing and abundant greenery creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370897]

Interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hot-black">Hot Black</a> carry the same material language through to every room. Kitchens feature integrated Gaggenau appliances, sculpted stone benchtops, and Lo &amp; Co joinery, while bathrooms feature natural stone, timber, and brushed metal finishes.&nbsp;

Hot Black Founder and Design Director Sophie Safrin describes the intent as one of considered restraint: "At Solis, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create a timeless coastal retreat, calm, refined, and effortlessly liveable. From natural finishes to seamless indoor-outdoor flow, Solis offers a quiet elegance that's deeply connected to its surroundings.

The landscape, designed by Julian Brady of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/sitedesignstudios">Site Design Studios</a>, treats green space as an integral part of the resident experience rather than an afterthought.&nbsp;

"Gentle curves and layered native plantings mirror the ebb and flow of the ocean," Julian Brady says, "creating a serene connection between architecture and place."&nbsp;

Coco Republic has provided bespoke furniture packages tailored to the project's coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370899]

Skymark has an established track record in the Sutherland Shire, with a portfolio spanning Cronulla, Woolooware and Burraneer that includes Isla, Sylva, Bask, Shells, Sula and Mist. Securing LDI on Solis reflects a broader shift in how the developer is positioning its buildings to buyers, at a time when Resilience Insurance expects the policy to become mandatory in New South Wales by 2028.

Sales at Solis are launching soon through Ray White Projects, with an official event scheduled for 11 June. Enquire for more information.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150499]

Joel Robinson

Skymark takes out 10-year Resilience Insurance LDI at Solis Cronulla

Investors may soon find themselves with fewer reasons to buy established property and more incentives to look towards the new apartment market.

Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions would see new and off-the-plan apartments retain access to the tax benefits, while established properties would miss out, creating a clear advantage for buyers purchasing newly built housing.

The policy direction aligns with what many developers have been saying for several years. Australia needs more housing supply, and governments are increasingly looking for ways to encourage investment into new stock rather than existing homes.

The challenge for investors is that suitable product is becoming harder to find.

For much of the last decade, one-bedroom apartments were the cornerstone of investor demand. They offered a lower entry price, strong rental appeal, and were a common feature across most apartment developments.

Today, the development pipeline looks very different.

Across both New South Wales and South East Queensland, developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers, delivering larger two, three and four-bedroom apartments in response to changing buyer preferences. While one-bedroom apartments still exist, they now form a much smaller portion of many new projects.

That shift has created a shortage of investor-friendly stock, particularly in well-located projects close to transport, employment hubs and lifestyle amenity.

At the same time, rising apartment prices have pushed many new developments beyond the reach of traditional investors. On the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new apartments priced around the $1 million mark, particularly those offering strong rental fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.

We've rounded up four new apartment developments where investors can still secure a foothold in the market for around $1 million or less.

<h2 data-end="1140" data-start="844">Flourish Soleira</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $1.07 million</h2>

Popular Palm Beach developer Sherpa is soon to officially launch its newest local apartment development, Flourish Soleira.

The one-bedroom apartments in the building were only offered to first home buyers rather than investors, and all of those have been snapped up. The two-bedroom apartments will start from $1.07 million, and the three-bedrooms, still a good investment given the popularity of Palm Beach for owner-occupiers, starting at $2,045,000.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

Flourish Soliera will comprise 153 apartments across two buildings, connected by a skybridge, the first ever delivered in the suburb.

True to Sherpa's booming Flourish brand of apartment projects, Flourish Soleira will have extensive rooftop amenity across both buildings including a&nbsp;wellness centre with gym, work from home, yoga, pilates, a&nbsp;heated pool, private dining rooms, pizza oven and barbecues, basketball court, and golf simulator.

<h2>Corallo, Palm Beach</h2>

Priced from: $841,500

Nearby Flourish Soleira is Changfa Group's beachfront-inspired Corallo development. They still have some one-bedroom apartments remaining, priced from $841,500.

The 105-apartment project on Palm Beach Avenue is otherwise dominated by larger two and three-bedroom residences, many of which are aimed at owner-occupiers and downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112194 project_image_fid=808]

For investors, the appeal lies in Palm Beach's continued transformation from a laid-back beachside suburb into one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential markets. Residents at Corallo will be within walking distance of Palm Beach's surf beaches, the recreational amenity of Tallebudgera Creek, and the increasingly popular collection of cafes, restaurants and boutique retailers along the suburb's central dining precinct.

<h2>Corner House, Stones Corner</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $880,000</h2>

One of only two Brisbane apartment developments to make the list with prices under $1 million is DeMartini Fletcher's Corner House development in Stones Corner.

One-bedroom apartments start from $880,000 within the 88-apartment development, providing investors with exposure to one of Brisbane's most established inner-south locations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330594]

Stones Corner has long been supported by strong tenant demand due to its proximity to major employment and education destinations. The suburb sits less than five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD and is within easy reach of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital and several university campuses.

The project's location within a walkable urban village environment, surrounded by retail, dining and public transport infrastructure, continues to attract both professionals and healthcare workers seeking accommodation close to work.

Parkdrive Apartments, Chermside

Priced from: $749,000

The most affordable apartments across Brisbane's new and off the plan market are in Chermside where developer AusDev is selling one-bedroom apartments from $749,000, and two-beds from $929,000, at its recently launched Parkdrive development.

The development is strategically positioned in one of Brisbane's largest employment and retail precincts, placing residents within easy walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and the suburb's major bus interchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Already under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2028, Parkdrive benefits from Chermside's ongoing evolution into Brisbane's northern metropolitan centre. The suburb continues to attract significant public and private investment, supporting population growth and underpinning long-term rental demand.

For investors focused on yield and tenant depth, the combination of healthcare, retail and transport infrastructure within close proximity provides a strong foundation for occupancy and rental performance.

Investors to turn to new apartments after Federal Government changes spark hunt for Queensland's best $1 million apartments

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]

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.

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News