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<span><span lang="en-GB">Mirvac Group</span></span><span><span lang="en-US"> has announced the signing of global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright to its Olderfleet building at 477 Collins Street Melbourne. </span></span>
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<span><span lang="en-US">Norton Rose Fulbright will occupy the top floors of the 'cutting-edge' commercial building, with t</span></span><span>he firm committed to 5,100 square metres on levels 35 to 38.</span>
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<div><span><span lang="en-US">Mirvac is working closely with Grimshaw Architects and Carr Design to bring Olderfleet to completion, with construction on the first of the office floors well underway.</span></span></div>
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<div><span><span lang="en-US">Mirvac has secured a partnership to provide smart lighting throughout the building with Enlighted, a world-leading provider of IoT platforms for smart buildings, and Honeywell, a global Fortune 100 software-industrial company, to deliver workplace performance monitoring technology.</span></span></div>
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<div><span><span lang="en-US">Olderfleet will be the first commercial building in Australia to roll out this new system to help tenants and building managers track activity in the workplace, leading to 'cost efficiencies and better performance'.</span></span></div>
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<div><span><span lang="en-US">As part of the system, the Enlighted sensors will be placed in each LED lighting fixture to capture data on power, temperature, motion and ambient lighting via bluetooth beacons.</span></span></div>
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<div><span>By pairing this with smart data analytics, tenants can gain a deeper understanding of workplace efficiency.</span></div>
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<div><span>All data will be available via a tenant portal to allow tenants, employees and building managers to make changes to the office environment in real time.</span></div>
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<div><span><span lang="en-US">“We are proud to announce our partnership with Enlighted and Honeywell, to deliver on our promise to create a building with world-leading technology that provides the optimum environment for our tenants. It’s an exciting development for us,” added Mr Healy.</span></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="en-US">Norton Rose Fulbright will be joining anchor tenant Deloitte, who has committed to over 26,000 square metres of office space, upon completion in 2020.</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="en-US">Mirvac successfully sold down a 50 per cent interest in the development to Suntec REIT in 2017</span></span></div>
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477 Collin Street's Olderfleet to be model for the "technologically optimised workplace" 

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<p>Prahran had the top Melbourne auction result on the weekend with a mooted development site selling at $3.6 million.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-prahran-128438542" target="_blank">The 76 Williams Road offering</a> (pictured above) was listed through RT Edgar inconjunction Gross Waddell.</p>
<p>It was a block of five, two bedroom apartments, on separate titles returning $98,016 p.a.</p>
<p>The total land area of 975m2 featured two street frontages, with access via Russell Street.</p>
<p>It was within a short walk to the High Street shops and restaurants, nearby parklands and transport.</p>
<p>Each apartment comprises two bedrooms, open plan kitchen/living room, one bathroom and one car space.</p>
<p>It came with four monthly tenancies and one lease terminating February next year.</p>
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Block of five Prahran apartments sells for $3.6 million.

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<div>Impact Investment Group has announced the $120 million 12 storey Northumberland, a laneway development. 
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<div>Leading skincare company Aesop has already leased three floors of the building and other tenants are expected to include businesses covering a range of industries including design, innovative manufacturing, boutique services and digital agencies.</div>
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<div>The net lettable area of each typical floorplate is 1,505sqm, with four dual door lifts providing access to service the site’s twin foyers.</div>
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<div>The total lettable area is area 15,063sqm with 136 car parking spaces.</div>
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<div>Designed to continue the shift of new industries into the area’s industrial heritage, Northumberland has been locally designed by Collingwood architectural practice John Wardle Architects.</div>
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<div>“As the architects creating Northumberland, we’re very aware that this building heralds remarkable change,’’ said Mr Wardle.</div>
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<div>“In doing so, we wanted to create a building that was inextricably one of Collingwood, and of the fabric and the texture and the rigour of this part of the city”.</div>
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<div>Mr Darren Brusnahan, head of funds management for IIG real estate, said the commercial buildings would set a new high water mark for environmental sustainability and provide exceptional amenity as office accommodation for a new breed of Collingwood workers and would include collaboration areas.</div>
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<div>He said Northumberland is targeting a 6-star Green Star Design and As-Built Rating and a 5-star NABERS Energy Rating.</div>
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<div>“As well as being one of Melbourne’s most environmentally friendly buildings, it will be an exceptional place to work with significant flexibility for workplace configurations,’’ said Mr Brusnahan.</div>
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<div>Mr Brusnahan said uncompromised views would provide upper floor residents with sweeping sight-lines to the leafy eastern suburbs, Melbourne’s CBD and Port Phillip Bay.</div>
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Aesop set for Collingwood architectural gem

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<p>The BPM Melbourne developer Jonathan Hallinan is reportedly close to selling the hotel component of his Southbank skyscraper, Shadow Play.</p>
<p>The 70 apartments have been leased to Mantra who will be paying over $2 million per annum.</p>
<p>The hotel spreads across the first nine floors of the 46-storey building and comprise one and two bedroom hotel rooms.</p>
<p>The building is currently under construction on the north-east corner of Clarendon Street and City Road.</p>
<p>The Age reported an undisclosed investor was paying a speculated $20 million plus, following a campaign by JRW Property International's Leo Ren and Joyce Liu.</p>
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BPM's Jonathan Hallinan closing in on Shadow Play hotel sale

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<p>PAG, the Hong Kong investment management firm has put its half stake in Sydney’s sixth-largest ­office tower, 60 Margaret Street, up for sale.</p>
<p>It includes the MetCentre at the foot of the building.</p>
<p>It has ING ­Direct as a major tenant.</p>
<p>The retail centre is anchored by a street-level Woolworths supermarket and Virgin Active along with 75 specialty stores within the 6419sq m retail centre.</p>
<p>The entire building value is estimated at more than $800 million, according to The Australian.</p>
<p>PAG’s listing comes as Sydney’s office property boom hits new highs, with ISPT completing a deal to buy a half-stake in Sydney landmark Westpac Place in a deal valuing that tower at more than $1.7 billion.</p>
<p>The Australian reported the Westpac Place deal helped reset pricing metrics for Sydney towers as it showed a yield of about 4.5 per cent.</p>
<p>PAG bought its 60 Margaret Street stake in 2015 from industry superannuation fund MTAA Super for just over $300 million.  </p>
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<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-7770372_137="56599" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="56599" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-7770372_137="1">Mirvac Group, which owns the other half, had waived its pre-emptive right over the stake. Mirvac Group moved out in 2016 to its 200 George Street project close by. </p>
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<p>The latest off-market offering is being handled by Ian Hetherington, Ben Azar and Tim Grossman of Savills.</p>
<p>The A-grade building, which consists of 36 office levels and three levels of shops, with ­direct access to Wynyard railway station.</p>
<p>The tower spans 40,985 sqm.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-sydney-502349942" target="_blank">There are leasing spaces available</a> through Savills which notes <span>Wynyard hub is undergoing one of the largest transformations the city has ever seen; its a</span><span>vailability through Savills agents Christina Malcolm and Chris Rowe. </span><br><br><span>Level 9: 1,410 sqm</span><br><span>Low rise whole floor offers impressive cityscape and Wynyard park views with good natural light. Refurbishment of the whole floor now completed. </span><br><br><span>Level 15: ~380sqm </span><br><span>Tenancy offers direct lift exposure, South/East aspect, impressive city views and natural light. </span><br><br><span>Level 16: 583sqm </span><br><span>Refurbished part floor opportunity with North/East city views and good natural light.</span><br><br><span>Level 36: 596.4sqm</span><br><span>Top floor suite offers exceptional South/West city views, direct lift exposure and to be refurbished to a high standard.</span><br><br><span><br></span></p>
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Savills list 60 Margaret Street, Sydney stake

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<p>The Australian government is developing a <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/transport/freight/national-strategy.aspx" target="_blank">national freight and supply chain strategy</a>. As part of that effort, we created a set of scenarios describing what Australia’s future might look like 20 years from now. In evaluations by a large number of experts of all the future drivers of change we identified, two emerged as the most powerful and uncertain: widespread use of automation, and increased pressure to become environmentally sustainable.</p>
<p>We also explored what Australia should do to remain successful in each of these possible futures. Each scenario was crafted as a rich description of the future, full of elements relevant to supply chains and freight.</p>
<p>To illustrate what the world might look like in each of these futures, several “news articles” accompany the scenarios. They tell us of a fleet of robots that deliver parcels by air and ground directly to Australian homes. They describe a container of Australian wines travelling from Victoria to Shanghai without human intervention, using <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/technology/autonomous-ghost-ships-are-coming-to-revolutionise-freight-20170905-gyatcs" target="_blank">autonomous ships</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/autonomous-vehicles-1007" target="_blank">vehicles</a>.</p>
<p>In one scenario, China has become the sole dominant power in its half of the planet. In another, the world economy has fragmented into blocks, with barely any trade between them. Cyber-attacks, terrorism and slander are used as weapons to disrupt supply chains in one scenario. In another, a whole new generation of consumers, the Alphas, demands high levels of service and fast delivery in everything they buy.</p>
<p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/223700/original/file-20180619-38819-18mkm61.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/223700/original/file-20180619-38819-18mkm61.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a></p>
<p><span class="caption">Container terminals have long used autonomous vehicles and machinery, and autonomous ships are on the way.</span><span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:9-028_Rotterdam_ECT.jpg"><br></a></span></p>
<h2>How did we create these scenarios?</h2>
<p>We started by asking 52 experts in freight and supply chains about things they expect will be different two decades from now. These interviews revealed more than 200 future drivers of change. We validated these in a survey with an even larger group of experts.</p>
<p>We then used 32 families of these drivers as the building blocks to create <a href="http://cscl.space/scenarios" target="_blank">four scenarios</a>:</p>
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<a href="http://cscl.space/scenarios/s1.pdf" target="_blank">The Rise of the Machines</a> – a world where technology dominates everything we do</li>
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<a href="http://cscl.space/scenarios/s2.pdf" target="_blank">Enter the Dragon</a> – China is the dominant force in an increasingly fragmented world</li>
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<a href="http://cscl.space/scenarios/s3.pdf" target="_blank">Flat, Crowded and Divided</a> – Australia’s population has soared, to the point that easy access to cheap labour has nullified any hopes of a technological revolution</li>
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<a href="http://cscl.space/scenarios/s4.pdf" target="_blank">Big Brother Goes Green</a> – the effects of climate change are increasingly real, and both governments and savvy consumers demand that companies meet high environmental standards.</li>
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<p>We made sure that each scenario was plausible and internally consistent. The scenarios were designed to be very different from the present and from each other, and to complement each other as a group.</p>
<p>While these scenarios are fun to read and thoroughly grounded in data, they are not predictions. Their purpose is not to forecast what the world <em>will</em> look like in 20 years.</p>
<p>Instead, the scenarios present us with several versions of what the world <em>might</em> look like. Their purpose is to help us <em>prepare</em> for what the future could bring. I like to think of scenario planning as a vaccine against future surprises.</p>
<p>The four scenarios served as the stage for a series of workshops conducted across Australia with a total of 90 experts. In these workshops, the experts discussed the challenges and opportunities each scenario presents for Australia’s freight and supply chains. They proposed ways for Australia to be successful in each scenario, and compared notes on suggestions that worked well across multiple scenarios.</p>
<p>We collected more than 15,000 words’ worth of handwritten expert recommendations in our four workshops. We transcribed and analysed all of them, and prepared a complete summary of the most frequent and robust ideas. These are included in our project’s <a href="https://infrastructure.gov.au/transport/freight/freight-supply-chain-priorities/research-papers/files/Scenario_planning_report.pdf" target="_blank">final report</a>.</p>
<h2>So what do the experts recommend?</h2>
<p>In the experts’ recommendations, it is easy to identify three major themes that are common to all four scenarios.</p>
<p>The first is the ever-growing importance of data. For Australia to be successful in <em>any</em> of the futures we envisioned, large amounts of relevant, timely and reliable data must be gathered and shared. This will require open and common data standards to be developed. The need to protect confidentiality will have to be balanced with the need to share data.</p>
<p>The second major theme is the need to educate for the future. Training in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis should be widely available. A focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) should start in Year 1. Workers who are displaced by new technologies should be retrained, so they can re-enter the workforce.</p>
<p>The third major theme is the need to rethink regulation. For Australia to be successful in any of the futures we explored, it is necessary to simplify, standardise and harmonise regulations across levels of government and geographies. Regulations, and the process to create them, must become more flexible and agile, so as to promote innovation.</p>
<p>There are other robust recommendations that, according to the experts, are necessary in all four scenarios.</p>
<p>One is to make exports a strategic priority of national importance. Making exports faster and easier was recommended.</p>
<p>Another is the need for cities to include logistics in their plans from the start, not as an afterthought.</p>
<p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/98249/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The many insights obtained in our project are informing the freight and supply chain strategy that the Australian government is creating. These will help those making long-term decisions to avoid future surprises that might not have been anticipated without a systematic examination of the many possible futures before us.</p>
<p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/roberto-perez-franco-497942" target="_blank">Roberto Perez-Franco</a>, Senior Research Fellow – Supply Chain Strategy, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757" target="_blank">Deakin University</a></em></span></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-will-freight-and-supply-chains-look-like-20-years-from-now-experts-ponder-the-scenarios-98249" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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How will freight and supply chains change in the next two decades?

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<div>A palatial waterfront reserve home in Eraring in Lake Macquarie has sold for a record breaking $2.5 million.</div>
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<div>It was picked up by a Sydney buyer who bought it after a single inspection.</div>
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<span id="LPlnk809465">The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-eraring-127933194" target="_blank">53 Payten Street</a> sits on a vast</span> 5,285 sqm parcel with views over Lake Macquarie from every room.</div>
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<div>The land last traded for $260,000 in 1997 before the home was built in 2000.</div>
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<div>It spent over 450 days on the market and initially sought $3.4 million to $3.5 million when listed in March last year.</div>
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<div>Ray White Toronto selling agent Paul Wrigley said the buyer fell in love with it on the spot.</div>
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<div>It topped the previous Lake Macquarie record, set when a home sold for $1.85 million.</div>
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<div>Architecturally-designed, the home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a sauna, wet bar, library, and an audio room.</div>
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<div>An infinity pool and spa overlook the water.</div>
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<div>The listing advised it has rental potential of $1,200 to $1,500 a week.</div>
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Record sale at Lake Macquarie picked up by Sydney buyer

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<p>Buyers of new residential property after 1 July 2018 need to be aware they will be responsible for making sure the GST on their purchase is paid to the ATO as part of the purchase settlement process. The laws are aimed at reducing tax evasion in the property development sector, that require buyers to pay the GST at settlement.</p>
<p>The GST will not be an additional cost to buyers as it’s already part of any contracted purchase.</p>
<p>The chief executive of the Property Council of Australia, Ken Morrison, said this was one of the biggest changes to the way GST was collected on property since its introduction almost two decades ago.</p>
<p>“Under this change, buyers of new residential properties or subdivision of potential residential land will be responsible for remitting the GST amount to the ATO on or before settlement,” Mr Morrison said.</p>
<p>“Previously, this was done by the developer. The overwhelming majority did the right thing and passed the GST they collected through to the ATO, but this measure has been introduced to deal with the minority who didn’t through so-called 'phoenixing'.”</p>
<p>The new process will mean additional steps in the settlement process for residential property buyers, including submitting forms to the ATO and separating the GST from the purchase price of the property.</p>
<p>This could affect up to 70,000 property transactions a year.</p>
<p>“People buying property after 1 July should talk to their solicitor or settlement agent to ensure they have the right arrangements in place to meet this new requirement and ensure a smooth settlement process,” Mr Morrison said.</p>
<p>There are transitional arrangements in place for contracts entered into before 1 July 2018 and which settle before 1 July 2020.</p>
<p>Mr Morrison said Property Council members had been investing in systems and staff training to support the introduction of the new process and to mimimise disruption or inconvenience to their customers.</p>
<p>“We’ll closely monitor the implementation of the change and continue to consult with Government on issues that may arise during the transition.”</p>
<p>The change to GST payment is the biggest of a number of federal and state property- related changes that come into effect on 1 July.</p>
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<p><span>Other measures include:</span></p>
<p><span>Federal</span></p>
<p><span>People aged 65 and over will be able to contribute $300,000 from the sale of their family home into superannuation</span></p>
<p><span>Queensland</span></p>
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<p><span>Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty (residential) to increase from 3% to 7%.</span></p>
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<p><span>New land tax category for holdings over $10m – 2.25% for individuals and 2.5%</span></p>
<p><span>for trusts, companies or absentee landholders.</span></p>
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<p><span>Waste disposal levy $70 per tonne.</span></p>
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<p><span>New South Wales</span></p>
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<p><span>Local Infrastructure Levy caps will be increased in areas not funded by the Local Infrastructure Growth Scheme:</span></p>
<p><span>o </span><span>$40,000 for greenfield areas</span><span>o </span><span>$30,000 for infill areas</span></p>
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<p><span>From 1 July,</span></p>
<p><span>South Australia</span></p>
<p><span>ACT</span></p>
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<p><span>eConveyancing will replace many of the paper and manual</span></p>
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<p><span>processes traditionally involved in property transactions with secure online</span></p>
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<p><span>processes. All standalone transfers and caveats must be lodged electronically</span></p>
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<p><span>from this date.</span></p>
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<p><span>Final phase of the full abolition of commercial stamp duty.</span></p>
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<p><span>Off-the-plan stamp duty concession measure ends on 30 June 2018.</span></p>
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<p><span>Stamp duty abolished for first home buyers who earn less than $160,000 for new or existing homes</span></p>
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<p><span>Abolition of first home buyers grant</span></p>
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July 1 sees different GST rules for new residential property buyers

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<div align="justify">An Australian first, Mercedes-Benz Brisbane has unveiled plans to open its first boutique Brisbane retail offering</div>
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<div align="justify">With an opening planned in mid-August, it will be located at 300 Adelaide Street.</div>
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<div align="justify">Hong Kong’s Lei Shing Hong group is spending $200 million developing the new Mercedes-Benz showrooms.</div>
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<div align="justify">The Mercedes-Benz Brisbane Boutique will allow consumers to book test drives of the latest Mercedes-Benz vehicles, book their own car in for a service and purchase merchandise. </div>
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<div align="justify">Mercedes-Benz Brisbane principal, Shane Parkins, said bringing the unique concept will provide a new touchpoint for existing clientele, as well as creating the opportunity for the brand to reach a new customer base.</div>
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<div align="justify">“We know people are increasingly time-poor, so we want to make life as easy as possible for our clients, and see this as a chance to offer a more convenient, customer-centric service in the easy-to-access heart of Brisbane City,” Mr Parkins said.</div>
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<div align="justify">“We’re continually looking for new, innovative solutions to promote ease of business for both current and future customers and this concept really hits the nail on the head. We’ve created something unique for the Brisbane market that connects with customers in a local way,” he said.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">As well as being inspired by the global network of MercedesMe stores, which have been designed to operate as creative hubs for the public to engage with the brand in a relaxed, non-sales driven environment, the concept was also based on consumer insights and is a demonstration of Mercedes-Benz Brisbane’s agile approach to retail and customer behaviour.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">“With the way retail has been evolving and will continue to evolve, we know that consumers want to experience the essence of a brand – not just its products. The way LSH Auto Australia are developing new projects, including our Breakfast Creek development, has this fusion of brand and lifestyle at the heart,” explained Mr Parkins.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">The showroom will be positioned alongside retail partner Motorwagen, a new café/restaurant that offers a contemporary dining experience with an emphasis on house-made dishes and best local produce.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">Shane Parkins said Lei Shing Hong Auto Australia had three new projects under way: the new CBD boutique, which would open in August, <span>a 32,000 sqm five-level showroom and facility in Brisbane’s inner city Breakfast Creek, plus a 10,000sq m dealership in the outer suburban North Lakes</span>.</div>
<div align="justify"> </div>
<div align="justify">“Most people are intimidated by walking into a car dealership,” Parkins said, noting that the Adelaide Street store would refer potential customers to dealerships</div>
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<p>The world's largest distributor of Mercedes-Benz, Hong Kong's Lei Shing Hong, hopes to also develop a $290 million office tower on Melbourne's Southbank incorporating a state-of-the-art car showroom.</p>
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<p>The bold plan to combine an office tower of almost 30,000 square metres with a car showroom is part of a broader trend that has seen upmarket dealerships secure expensive inner-city positions within larger mixed-use projects.</p>
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Mercedes Boutique Shoppe set for Brisbane's Adelaide Street

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<p>A new land rate record has been set in the retail precinct of Church Street, Brighton.</p>
<p>Mark Talbot and David Bourke of Fitzroys sold 67 Church Street (pictured above) for $2.41 million at auction.</p>
<p>The sale price reflected a land rate of $39,000 per sqm.</p>
<p>It sold on a sharp yield of 3.2%.</p>
<p>The property has a two-level 110sqm building with among other leases, a five-year lease to international stationery company Smiggle, part of ASX-listed Premier Investments, which has a $2.5 billion market capitalisation.</p>
<p>The auction campaign attracted more than 90 enquiries from local and offshore investors and owner occupiers.</p>
<p>He said Smiggle has occupied the building for close to 15 years.</p>
<p>Talbot said Church Street, Brighton is a thriving shopping precinct and includes most of Australia’s new and established fashion operators.</p>
<p>Fitzroys research shows Church Street’s vacancy rate tightened to 1.3% over the past 12 months.</p>
<p>“We also received a large volume of interest from owner occupiers looking to give themselves an opportunity in future to operate out of a prized Church Street retail space,” he said.</p>
<p>Talbot and Bourke sold 67 Church Street on behalf of a private family.</p>
<p>Last year, Talbot sold the shop and dwelling freehold at 83 Church Street (pictured below) last year for $3.08 million, at a precinct record yield of 1.9%.</p>
<p><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/2018/6/27/87%20Church%20St.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>It marked the first time the property had been offered for sale in 45 years.</p>
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Smiggle, Church Street, Brighton investment sets record commercial land rate

<p>Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.</p>

<p>Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.</p>

<p>The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]</p>

<p>Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.</p>

<p>"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.</p>

<p>"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]</p>

<p>Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.</p>

<p>A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.</p>

<p>The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.</p>

<p>Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]</p>

<p>While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.</p>

<p>The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.</p>

<p>The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]</p>

<p>The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.</p>

<p>Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.</p>

<p>"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.</p>

<p>The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.</p>

<p>The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.</p>

<p>Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.</p>

<p>"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.</p>

<p>"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."</p>

<p>Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]</p>


Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

<p>As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.</p>

<p>Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.</p>

<p>At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.</p>

<p>“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]</p>

<p>Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.</p>

<p>The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.</p>

<p>“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]</p>

<p>A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.</p>

<p>The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.</p>

<p>The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]</p>

<p>“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”</p>

<p>At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.</p>

<p>ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]</p>


The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

<p>The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.</p>

<p>The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.</p>

<p>"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]</p>

<p>The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.</p>

<p>The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.</p>

<p>New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.</p>

<p>While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.</p>

<p>The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.</p>

<p>The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]</p>

<p>The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.</p>

<p>Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.</p>

<p>From July, those restrictions disappear.</p>

<p>Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.</p>

<p>Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.</p>

<p>Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.</p>

<p>"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.</p>

<p>"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.</p>

<p>"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."</p>

<p>Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.</p>


15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

<p>A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.</p>

<p>The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.</p>

<p>A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]</p>

<p>Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.</p>

<p>For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.</p>

<p>A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370647]</p>

<p>The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.</p>

<p>Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=372541]</p>

<p>The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.</p>

<p>Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.</p>

<p>Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351535]</p>

<p>Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.</p>

<p>Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.</p>

<p>For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]</p>


Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.</p>

<p>Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.</p>

<p>Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.</p>

<p><img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" /></p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.</p>

<p>The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" /></p>

<p>Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.</p>

<p>Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.</p>

<p>Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=262183]</p>

<p>Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.</p>

<p>The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.</p>

<p>Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]</p>


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