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Brendan Crotty has been named as the inaugural National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) Chair.
Crotty will formally commence his appointment following passage of the enabling legislation for the NHFIC.
The Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison says Crotty (below) brings considerable financial acumen, business expertise and property sector experience to the NHFIC Board.
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He is currently a director of Brickworks Limited, <a href="https://www.gpt.com.au/about-us/board-of-directors/brendan-crotty" target="_blank">General Property Trust</a> and Dennis Family Holdings Pty Ltd and was Chairman of Western Sydney Parklands Trust for nine years to the end of 2017.
He was also the Managing Director of Australand Property Group from 1990 to 2007 and has been a director of a number of property, construction and technology companies since then but has resigned from most of these positions to take up the role of NHFIC Chair.
The NHFIC will administer an affordable housing bond aggregator to provide cheaper and longer-term finance for community housing providers. The NHFIC will also administer the $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Facility which will invest in critical infrastructure to unlock new housing supply.
These important measures, announced as part of the comprehensive housing affordability plan in the 2017-18 Budget, continue the work of the Turnbull Government to ensure Australians have more opportunities to own their own home or access more affordable rental accommodation.
The NHFIC Board will comprise members with one or more qualifications, skills or experience across a range of disciplines, including banking and finance, law, housing (including social or affordable housing), infrastructure planning and financing, local government and public policy.
The Government will make further NHFIC Board announcements shortly.
The Government will provide an initial $9.6 million in 2017-18 to establish the NHFIC, which will commence operations from 1 July 2018.
The Government will settle the final details of the NHFIC following advice from the Affordable Housing Implementation Taskforce, due by mid 2017. 
Stakeholders from the finance, community housing, developer and government sectors have shown strong support for a bond aggregator.
The bond aggregator model has been successfully implemented in the United Kingdom through The Housing Finance Corporation (THFC) which administers £5 billion in loans to housing associations. 
The NHFIC will also administer the NHIF, a five-year $1 billion facility that will provide local governments with concessional loans, grants and equity to finance critical infrastructure required to deliver more housing supply sooner.
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NHFIC to be chaired by property industry veteran Brendan Crotty 

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Canada's Oxford Properties has won the rights to Grocon's development stake in the $2 billion Barangaroo Central project.
Oxford, led by US-based Hines Real Estate, will make a payment of about $100 million to secure the development rights over which Grocon has control.
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section">The deal sees Grocon stay on as the project development manager.</div>
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<div class="related-quotes section">Grocon confirmed to The Australian and Fairfax Media that Oxford Properties had been selected as the preferred party.</div>
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Grocon had been reportedly under pressure to secure investors for its portion of the project – an office tower of up to 50,000 square metres – before its line of credit runs out in September.
Last November Grocon was awarded the conjunctional development rights to the $2 billion Barangaroo Central development.
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Grocon, led by property scion Daniel Grollo, joined with Scentre and Aqualand in the winning consortium.</div>
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section">The project which sits adjacent to Crown Resorts casino. A buy-out of Grocon's stake by its own consortium partner is under consideration, sources said. 
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Oxford Properties is the real estate investment arm of OMERS, one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans.
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Canada's Oxford Properties secures Grocon's Barangaroo Central project equity 

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Investa has announced Woolworths as its newest tenant in The Sydney Arcade at 400 George Street.
It represents Woolworth’s fifth Metro store in the Sydney CBD.
Woolworths has committed to a seven-year term, over the 1,240 square metre basement space.
The lease includes two, five-year options.
The deal was negotiated by Alex Alamsyah from Knight Frank.
“Woolworths is a great addition to the retail tenancy mix at 400 George Street.
"Supermarkets traditionally favour basement-style space and this prime location at Pitt Street Mall is expected to attract even more customers to The Sydney Arcade,” said Michael Cook at <a href="https://www.investa.com.au/properties/400-george-street" target="_blank">Investa</a>.
“It also reflects the emerging trend in CBD retail away from a complete reliance on fashion to incorporate more serviced-based offerings that appeal to city workers,” he said.
400 George Street is a 51,034 square metre office tower and retail arcade located in the centre of the Sydney CBD, jointly owned by Investa Commercial Property Fund, the M&amp;G Asia Property Fund and funds managed by Mirvac.
The Sydney Arcade incorporates over 5,000 square metres of prime retail space accommodating a range of leading Australian and international brand including Adidas, Bally, Oroton and Ben Sherman.
Located within the Pitt Street Mall precinct, the tower has Telstra occupying over 40,722 square metres of office space.
Just next door 396 George Street, which sits at the intersection of King Street, has been listed for sale in Sydney’s premium retail precinct.
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Sydney Arcade to host 5th Woolworths Metro in the CBD

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396 George Street, which sits at the intersection of King Street, has been listed for sale in Sydney’s premium retail precinct.
The expression of interest campaign will be handled by Knight Frank together with JLL.
More than $30 million is tipped.
Knight Frank’s Dominic Ong, head of Asian Markets, suggests 396 George Street will attract interest from local and offshore investors.
396 George Street is currently tenanted by Telstra, providing a net passing income of approximately $1.21 million per annum until February 2020, with a five-year option.
He says the prized corner offers buyers an opportunity to secure a strong commercial property investment with potential rental upside given the repositioning of George Street Pedestrian Mall.
An extensive $15 million renovation was undertaken in 2014/2015 which saw the property integrated into the adjoining building.
The Sydney Metro Light Rail will be directly in front of the building.
“396 George Street is situated in what is considered Sydney’s equivalent to New York’s Fifth Avenue, Singapore’s Orchard Road, Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, London’s Regent Street, and Paris’ Champs Elysees,” said Mr Ong.
Offers for 396 George Street July 19.
The two storey facade is in the Victorian Exotic style, the sole surviving example of the work of a significant outspoken dilettante and amateur architect and artist Harold Brees.
The building was constructed in the 1860s.
Brees himself described the style of the building as being "Domestic Antique - partaking of the Italian but without any Gothic." 
Just next door Investa has announced Woolworths as its newest tenant in The Sydney Arcade at 400 George Street.
Comino recently acquired the Soul Pattinson Chemist at Pitt Street Mall for $100 million and also owns the flagship Apple store across the road and the Louis Vuitton store diagonally opposite.
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396 George Street, Sydney has for the first time, been publicly listed for sale

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Adman and company director Harold Mitchell has listed Emerald House, his former South Melbourne city-fringe office building.
He built it in 2010 at 105 York Street in South Melbourne.
Mitchell Communications Group sold the business to global player Dentsu Aegis which remains the tenant of the 5100 square metre building until the middle of 2021.
CBRE expect $45 million or more with the campaign being overseen by JACX Property director Michael Jackson as transaction manager
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CBRE suggest the South Melbourne office market was on the cusp of a boom with a number of major commercial projects in planning or set to commence.
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Adman Harold Mitchell lists South Melbourne office premises

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Commercial property prices have skyrocketed in recent years, sowing seeds that could lead to opportunistic buying opportunities – and distressed sales – in coming years.
Here are 10 factors at play that could lead to attractive buying opportunities for those who have cash at the ready.
1.    There’s a limit to how low yields can go. As property prices in some markets have risen faster than rents, the rate of return has reduced and reduced. No one knows just how low they can go, but there is a floor and we’re getting close to it.
2.    Australia’s big four banks have become increasingly cautious in their lending in this space. They have, perhaps, heeded <a id="m_-6975728259029557408LPlnk750883" class="m_-6975728259029557408OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2017/sp-so-2017-11-20" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2017/sp-so-2017-11-20.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1528424268072000&amp;usg=AFQjCNElBd8bcSWPwe0ZyXyFIOLx0GY3-Q">warnings</a> by RBA’s head of Financial Stability Jonathan Kearns, of the risks of a “sharp correction” and potential for a repeat of the 1990s bust that followed the 1980s boom.  
3.    Changes in market conditions and a potential reduction in debt availability and/or increase in costs is likely to require some developers who acquired assets for future conversion or demolition to sell.
4.    Foreign banks are still lending for Australian commercial property but could experience pull back if interest rates rise or there is a change in global capital markets.
5.    Unlike residential loans, commercial property loans need to be refinanced every few years. Currently, rising property prices have provided a cushion for heavily indebted owners to help meet their obligations to banks. If this levels off or falls, it could be problematic for those owners.
6.    Interest rates could rise. Historically low interest rates have also underpinned commercial property affordability and supported high prices, and a rise could render some owners into financial trouble, forcing sales.
7.    Rising bond rates. If interest rates rise, then bonds will start to offer higher returns – meaning investors, particularly those overseas who are likely to see rates rise first, could place cash elsewhere.
8.    Businesses may be doing better than they were in the midst of the GFC but they are still price-sensitive and unlikely to swallow much more in the way of increased rents, which have been rising in most locations, albeit not as fast as property values.
9.    High-end corporate office occupants are increasingly seeking better amenities – end-of-trip facilities, ground floor cafes and gyms, even <a id="m_-6975728259029557408LPlnk484422" class="m_-6975728259029557408OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/concierge-services-in-office-blocks-a-musthave-for-prospective-tenants-20160707-gq0xfz" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/concierge-services-in-office-blocks-a-musthave-for-prospective-tenants-20160707-gq0xfz.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1528424268072000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHJYyVJ3j6j7Jp6zUkcnxwszALaQQ">concierges</a> – as well as strong environmental credentials. Cash-strapped landlords who lose a major tenant may not be able to afford the upgrades required to attract new tenants.
10.  Federal Government tenants require properties to have a minimum 4.5 star NABERS rating, however achieving this in an existing property requires significant investment which, again, the cash-strapped landlord might not be able to fund easily.
Russell Bullen is the chief operating officer of diversified property company Quintessential Equity
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Commercial property buying opportunities and distressed sales

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A top floor commercial tenancy at Murarrie has been leased to a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese Giant Mitsubishi Corporation.
The business has secured 838 sqm of commercial office space at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-qld-murarrie-502377526" target="_blank">Building 2, Gateway Office Park, 747 Lytton Road</a>.
Shaw Harrison at Savills struck a deal with the incoming tenant at an attractive rate over a 5 x 5 year term on behalf of GARDA Diversified Property Fund.
“Executives of parent company Mitsubishi were scouting the market for suitable premises, and we took them around a number of properties including Building 2 which was occupied at the time," he said.
“GARDA were pleased of our introduction as their existing tenant was due to vacate in a few months."
The newly formed company will be working intimately with businesses in the SME market to help them reduce the overall cost of vehicle ownership while improving driver safety and OH&amp;S compliance in this area.
The location of the building is key for the company given the ease of access to the CBD, airport and coast-to-coast motorway.
The building, which forms part of Gateway Office Park, is situated on the corner of Lytton Road and Creek Road, with excellent proximity to the CBD, surrounding commercial precincts and the Gateway Motorway interchange. 
“There is limited vacancy now within the building and, in addition to the quick take up of this floor, we have had significant interest from other tenants looking to occupy within the area.
 
 
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Mitsubishi Corporation’s subsidiary secures top floor at Murarrie

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The Melbourne-based Smorgon family have listed their retail holding on the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane.
It has been dubbed Brisbane's best retail corner.
The property reportedly could fetch up to $100 million. There was a fully leased net income of $4.46 million per annum.
The Smorgon family have owned the property for 27 years.
It recently signed McDonalds for a 10-year lease with two 10-year options, becoming the biggest McDonalds in the southern hemisphere.
Norman Smorgon and his wife, Tania, are the key Smorgon family members in the holding company Vesco Nominees.
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The 3771 square metre property includes the 853sq m McDonald's as well as an 801sq m Showgirls, plus fashion store Forever New and UGG Shop, a Money Exchange, Gellatissimo and a Suncorp bank.
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Smorgon family list Queen Street Mall retail holding with $100 million hopes

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A vacant block comprising of over 700 square metres, across the road from the Ettalong foreshore with views to Lion Island and beyond, has been listed for sale. 
It is offered by Larry Altavilla from One Agency. 
<a href="https://oneagencyplatinum.agentboxcrm.com.au/1P0078" target="_blank">Located at 44 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach</a>, it provides an opportunity for development with a current zoning of B2 Local centre, and for development with a mixture of residential and commercial. 
A new unit complex just metres down the road have all but sold off the plan.
Ettalong Beach offers a relaxed sea side lifestyle and is the gateway to both Brisbane Water and Pittwater offering many opportunities for water activities, from boating, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, surfing and more.
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The town itself hosts many cafes, restaurants, a supermarket and speciality shops as well as the Ettalong Diggers Club and Ettalong Beach Pub.
Ettalong is also host to the Ettalong Markets complex offering weekend market stalls. The town has a six screen cinema complex.
It is located a 15-20 minute drive to Gosford and Erina Fair shopping complex, five minutes to Woy Woy rail station, a 20 minute ferry ride to Palm Beach and an hour drive to Sydney. 
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Vacant Ettalong Beach foreshore block on the market

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A mix residential and commercial property situated in the centre of Bangalow has been sold.
Set on its 304 square metre Byron Street block, it has been bought by the Mayo family from Bellevue Hill.
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It was sold by Sharon McInnes from Byron Bay McGrath. 
Located 44 Byron Street, Bangalow, it includes a fully self-contained residence and separate workshop. 
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The front three rooms currently operating as Barebones Art Space for 24 years, while the large enclosed workshop area set below with private entrance.
Other features include the large deck overlooking private gardens and rear street access.
It was last traded for $165,500 in 1994.
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Bangalow hinterland Barebones premises sold

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

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While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

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Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

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Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

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Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

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A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

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Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

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.

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.

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.

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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.

"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.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

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.

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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.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"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.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

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.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"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."

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.

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Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“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.”

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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.

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.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“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.”

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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.

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.

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.

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“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.”

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.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

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