<html><body>
The classically-inspired country estate designs of Stephen Akehurst are synonymous with the top end weekenders at Melbourne's pricey playground, the Mornington Pensinsula.
His own home at Flinders remains for sale through estate agent Chantal Hooper having come with an initial $12 million price guide.
The home, <a href="http://chantalhooper.com/?portfolio=flinders" target="_blank">Lower Lower Steading</a> is an imposing, but charming manor located on 7,500 sqm of manicured grounds, located 60 miles south of Melbourne in the coastal town of Flinders.
It is secluded behind trees on three sides with the fourth commanding an amphitheatre-like panorama over fields towards the ocean.
No surprise the five bedroom, five bathroom white weatherboard has strong elements of the American clapboard style popular in The Hamptons.
<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/2017/12/18/akehurst9.jpg" alt="">
Accessed by a private curved driveway between Main Ridge and Flinders, his escape was designed in accordance with classical principles under its gray bell-cast shingled roof.
“In designing Lower Lower Steading, I took into full account the stunning vistas the house commands over coast and country.
"Others may do this by incorporating walls of glass however that would not suit the classic lines of this house.
"I instead chose to maximise the views in two other ways: one by the provision of a wide and long terrace, covered at either end for year-round use; the other was to place a long range of windows upstairs and downstairs large enough to act as frames to the view."
There's perfect symmetry from its tall shuttered windows to its lateral dormer wings. Paired pencil pines aplenty too in the garden.
The front door under its pillared porch opens into a lofty galleried staircase hall.
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<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/2017/12/18/car.jpg" alt="">
Every room on the ground floor has French doors opening onto a broad terrace that runs the length of the house overlooking the main garden and pool.
The terrace has a covered loggia at either end - one with a stone-built barbecue and pizza oven with outdoor summer dining area. The other is designed for outdoor sitting, with a stone-built fireplace for cooler weather.
There's an elegant library, a formal sitting room with open fireplace, chefs kitchen, home office with fireplace and an attic ceiling designed to be fitted as a cinema or gym.
A detached pavilion has been designed as self-contained guest accommodation.
Akehurst, who is selling because he would like to build a new one nearby, adopts three golden rules with his homes.
He says clients look for what excites them but they also want harmony.
The most important thing in design was to get the scale and proportion right.
"If they're wrong, you can never fix it," he advises.
The second is the right balance of light.
"A common mistake is when people think, 'we've got this wonderful view, we should just have complete glass'. And I say, 'you may want to look at the view, you don't necessarily want to be part of it'.
"The third thing is the orientation of the rooms; the living room should get the light or the bedrooms should be cooler.
"The house should have a unifying theme, but different rooms should have different moods."
The stately home's rich, textured and inviting interiors are the creation of Adrian Cannata of Akehurst Cannata Interiors.
Stephen Akehurst, who collects Mercedes Benz's, purchased the plot of land two decades ago. Construction of the 9,149-square-foot house began in 2005 and was completed in 2007.
This first appeared in The Weekend Australian.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Stephen Akehurst awaits buyer for his own Mornington Peninsula home

<html><body><div class="assets">
The property long known as Vinden Estate, a 10 hectare Pokolbin holding in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country, has been listed with a price guide of $5.5 million.
It is being marketed by Cain Beckett of Jurds Real Estate, though without reference to its official vineyard name.
The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-pokolbin-7938122" target="_blank">138 Gillards Road</a> features a luxurious homestead with mountain views.
It has a pool, tennis court, cellar door, restaurant, winery, additional cottage and a boutique vineyard. The bistro recently closed after seven years trading.
The Vindin Brand and business is not being sold as Angus Vinden will retain this and either offer the new owners a leaseback or relocate it
<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/2017/12/18/vinden1.jpg" alt="">
It was 1990 when his parents Guy and Sandra Vinden purchased the 25 acres of land.
Their first harvest was in 1998.
The range of wines includes the Hunter Valley’s only Alicante Bouschet (a light dry rosé), sparkling Alicante Bouschet, Semillon, SSB, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Merlot, Basket Press Shiraz and Late Harvest Semillon.
It was recently recognised as "dark horse winery to watch" by James Halliday. It was given 5 Star Winery status by James Halliday in his 2018 Wine Companion.
</div></body></html>

$5.5 million hopes for Pokolbin estate listed by Vinden family

<html><body>
ASIC has cancelled the Australian financial services (AFS) licence of West Perth, West Australia-based Anquan Securities &amp; Investments Pty Ltd as it was unable to comply with its licence conditions. Anquan requested ASIC cancel their licence, which ASIC did with effect from December 11 this year.
As part of the cancellation, ASIC imposed conditions that Anquan for the next 12 months maintain its membership of an external dispute resolution service. Anquan provided financial services to clients, including authorising representatives to issue interests in managed investment schemes.
ASIC has an ongoing investigation into a number of land developments in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, in particular a development known as 'The Newman Estate'.
The Estate was subject to ASIC action in the Federal Court over the past two years, where interim restraint orders were obtained along with the appointment of liquidators to 23 of the Macro Group Companies.
Anquan's licence was cancelled under s915B(3)(d) of the Corporations Act, which states ASIC may suspend or cancel an Australian financial services licence held by a body corporate, by giving written notice to the body, if it lodges with ASIC an application for ASIC to do so.
</body></html>

Anquan loses financial services licence in Macro Group Pilbara estate aftermath

<html><body>
ASIC has permanently banned husband and wife, Shrikrishna and Shilpa Karandikar, from engaging in credit activities.
ASIC's investigation found that from mid-2014 to February 2016, Mrs Karandikar had acted as an intermediary between consumers and the National Australia Bank for the purpose of securing a home loan, contrary to the terms of an ASIC banning order in force against her.
The home loan applications were submitted to the National Australia Bank through her husband's mortgage broking business in Dandenong, Siddhi Vinayak Finance Pty Ltd.
Mr Karandikar was permanently banned from engaging in credit activities for being involved in Mrs Karandikar's contravention of the terms of her 2014 banning order.
ASIC also found that Mr Karandikar had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct by certifying that he had completed customer identification forms in the presence of home loan applicants when he had not.
It was found that Mr and Mrs Karandikar therefore were not fit and proper persons to engage in credit activities.
The National Australia Bank identified the misconduct and reported it to ASIC.
ASIC Acting Chair Peter Kell said, 'ASIC will uphold the integrity of its administrative powers in the interest of protecting the public from unscrupulous mortgage brokers.'
Mr and Mrs Karandikar have the right to seek a review of ASIC's decisions to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. ASIC's investigation is continuing.
On 10 July 2014, Mrs Karandikar was banned by ASIC from engaging in credit activities for a period of four years, following an ASIC investigation that found she had submitted false documents to secure a $243,000 home loan for a customer
</body></html>

Dandenong mortgage broker gets permanent ASIC ban

<html><body>
Dexus Property Group will manage the car parks within 24 of its buildings via innovative provider DIVVY's new enterprise platform.
Dexus and DIVVY have announced the launch of a new parking management solution with an agreement to roll-out DIVVY’s Platform parking solution to its major office buildings around the country.
DIVVY’s new Platform Solution offers a turn-key online solution for major car park owners to manage all parking bays including underutilised spaces. 
Designed for large property portfolios, DIVVY Platform is a real-time parking system enabling the optimal utilisation of parking bays.
Dexus has been one of the DIVVY longstanding clients since 2015.
The asset management tool enables property teams to optimise parking management along with providing car park access online through an app.
The smart access device technology, cloud-based management dashboard and customer mobile app combine to provide an asset management system which delivers real-time portfolio and asset analytics. 
The new service will be rolled out to 24 of Dexus’s major office buildings in Australia including 30 The Bond and 45 Clarence Street in the Sydney CBD, 480 Queen Street and 123 Albert Street in Brisbane, 360 Collins Street in Melbourne and 240 St Georges Terrace in Perth.
Roll-out will commence in December 2017 and is expected to complete in March 2018.
</body></html>

Divvy and Dexus arrive at new deal for CBD car parking 

<html><body>
The mortgage broking director Lizzie Buttrose sold her ranch-style Vaucluse abode shortly after its scheduled weekend auction.
It had been passed in units only bid at $3.8 million, but sold for $4.03 million by late Saturday afternoon.
Its listing followed still unconfirmed reports that she and fiance Zoran Stopar are set to head to far-north Queensland after their much-mooted nuptials.
Buttrose opted for an auction on the second-last Saturday before Christmas through Dean Emerson, an agent at Purplebricks, the cut price commission estate agency.
The four-bedroom Hopetoun Mews house on an 873sq m battle-axe Burrabirra Ave block has been marketed as “the perfect opportunity for reinvention”.
It added that the property was "a blank canvas for those looking to secure their spot in a blue ribbon location."
There were $4 million expectations, with Sunday Telegraph columnist Annette Sharp noting Buttrose had knocked back a higher pre-auction million offer.
Buttrose took possession of the property in 2010 through a holding company.
It traded in 2003 for $2.25 million when bought by her late father, financial adviser Will Buttrose, from whom she derived her interest in property and financing.
This article was first published in The Sunday Telegraph.
 
</body></html>

Mortgage broker Lizzie Buttrose sells Vaucluse ranch style home post auction

<html><body>
CoreLogic is tracking 2,666 scheduled auctions across the combined capital cities over what is the last week for auction reporting for 2017.
It sits lower than the 2,735 held over the corresponding week last year. 
This is lower than last week’s final results which saw 3,371 auctions held.
Week-on-week activity across Melbourne and Sydney is set to fall as the end of year fast approaches, with a bumper 1,514 Melbourne homes scheduled to go to auction this weekend, down from the 1,833 auctions held last weekend.
Last week was the second busiest week for auctions this year across Melbourne.
In Sydney, there are 664 scheduled auctions this week, decreasing from the 1,007 auctions held last week.
All of the busiest suburbs for auctions this week are in Victoria, topping the list with 32 residential homes set to go under the hammer is Reservoir, followed by Craigieburn (27), Epping (23), and Frankston (23).
The Reservoir offerings include <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-reservoir-127037502" target="_blank">21 Locksley Avenue</a> (above), with $650,000 to $700,000 price guidance through McGrath.
There are fewer than a handful of auctions on Saturday December 23.
</body></html>

Reservoir sees out the 2017 auction year on top

<html><body>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Purplebricks sold around 2200 homes in its first 14 months of operations in Australia.
It represented $1.1 billion of residential real estate sales.
The UK fixed fee company has disclosed the sales as part of its latest interim results to its London shareholders.
Its revenue from its Australian business rose to £6.8 million ($11.9 million) for the six months to October 31, up from £400,000 in the prior corresponding period, after it had been trading for two months.
However, Australian interim losses more than doubled to £5.1 million amid high staff turnover as the company marketing was ramped up especially on 7Mate and 9Gem television.
Purplebricks now has 105 estate agents who charge an average fixed-fee of $5282, put from $4500 for private treaty offerings. 
Its Australian website has 1348 properties currently for sale, claiming its marketing makes the property available to "millions of buyers."
It has eight listings for sale priced above $2.5 million. 
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">The company launched in September last year with the Purplebricks CEO Michael Bruce again telling Fairfax Media the Australian business was "on track" and performing ahead of expectations.</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
"Our market share in Australia is greater than our market share was in the UK at the same time in its evolution," he said again.
Purplebricks claims it is the third most recognised real estate brand in Australia, behind Ray White and LJ Hooker.
Total group revenue more than doubled to £46.8 million with its UK business posting a £3.2 million operating profit. 
</div>
</body></html>

Purplebricks Australian rollout still in the red

<html><body>
The listed real estate and financial services group, The Agency Group, formerly known as Ausnet, has agreed to buy another estate agency with some $3 million sought via a shareholder capital raising.
It announced the $950,000 extended tranche deal with another Perth-based company, ServTech Global, which is trading at 2 cents.
The Agency, trading at just under 2 cents, has the aim of having 600 sales representatives within three years.
It has indicated its intention to buy the <a href="https://www.sellleaseproperty.com.au" target="_blank">Sell Lease Property agency </a>which has 210 agents and an $8 million annual revenue, reflecting $38,000 per current agent.
It will pay up to $950,000 for the acquisition of three businesses from the Western Australia-based proptech disrupter ServTech which floated earlier this year with Perth investors Keith and Patricia Scudds the biggest shareholders.
Sell Lease Property has around half its agents in WA having recently expanded onto the east coast, where it has 45 agents in Queensland and 25 in Victoria. The company does not have suburban real estate offices.
The Agency says after the deal it will have 280 agents across Australia generating 120 sales every month worth $80 million.
<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/2017/12/15/slp.jpg" alt="">
Unlike other real estate franchise groups which take some of the agent's commission, Sell Lease Property (SLP) allowed its agents to keep all their commission in exchange for using ServTech's Angel Platform, an online system which handles all the back-office paperwork at a cost of $700 per transaction.
The ServTech company was founded by real estate entrepreneur Brett Quinn and was chaired by former Fortescue mining executive Nick Cernotta, who recently stepped down. Bert Mondello is the new chairman.
Last month ServTech announced a convertible loan facility with Ausnet after a detailed strategic review of its business including its operating costs and cash burn.
"The impact one of changing market conditions resulted in slower than expected revenue growth which resulted in an unacceptably high and unsustainable rate of cash burn," its ASX listed shareholders were told. Shareholders were told Ausnet had agreed to actively oversee an ongoing strategic review of the business plan and technology associated with Sell Lease Property, plus assist with growth strategies and national rollout, identify and implement strategic synergies with its associated companies, where appropriate as well as provide the Company with significant management and marketing expertise. 
<div title="Page 2">
The Agency has also agreed to buy Value Finance and Complete Settlements, the mortgage broking with $1 million revenue and conveyancing businesses with $445,000 annual revenue within ServTech, but not its technical side.
The Agency will pay $25,000,000 (sic) per month to maintain the administration of the secured ServTech business.
The $950,000 deal involves an upfront $250,000 payment then $100,000 every month for seven months during 2018.
The Agency Group gave no indication of where the entire $3 million was intended.
</div>
 
</body></html>

Ausnet changes name to The Agency Group and announces Wild West expansion intentions

<html><body>
The New South Wales budget surplus forecast has increased by $600 million.
The NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet advised the projection for the 2017/18 year was revised up to $3.3 billion, from $2.7 billion.
The state government’s half-yearly budget review also revealed the first home buyers assistance scheme would cost $461 million this financial year.
“A significant reduction in transfer duty is derived from our first home owners grants and the concessions and tax cuts that form part of that.”
However, an increase in land tax will help offset the loss the government makes from the first home buyer concessions.
Higher than expected property values has pushed up the land tax revenue forecast by more than $100 million.
Land tax receipts from owners of investment properties and holiday homes in NSW are forecast to be $867 million higher than expected over the next three years.
Mr Perrottet said he was confident the Sydney housing market would remain healthy.
“We see the property market remaining strong, we see completions continuing at record levels,” Mr Perrottet said.
Fairfax Media noted the forecast assumes that the average price of residential properties sold in 2017-18 will be around 1.8 per cent above the average price the previous year. 
Stamp duty revenue in the three years to 2020-21 has been revised down by $657 million, largely due to the take up of stamp duty concessions for first home buyers in a housing affordability package announced in the June budget.
Between June and November, 13,672 people have received stamp duty concessions, compared with 3970 people in the same five month period last year.
</body></html>

NSW property investors to pay $100 million more in land tax as values rise

Sydney developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-element">Central Element</a>&nbsp;is doubling down in Drummoyne, lodging plans for a boutique apartment development on St Georges Crescent, only one-kilometre down the road from its first Drummoyne development, Bianca.

The new project at 15A-21 St Georges Crescent,&nbsp;a&nbsp;1,701sqm north-facing site overlooking Iron Cove, will have 45 apartmnts across 10 levels. Eight of the units will be dedicated to affordable housing.

The site sits within walking distance of Drummoyne Village, Birkenhead Point, ferry services and the Bay Run, and offers harbour views towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and CBD skyline.

Designed by MHN Design Union, the development will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside resident amenity including a gym, landscaped communal open space and three levels of basement parking.

The project has been lodged under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, with Drummoyne Village identified as a town centre capable of accommodating additional housing supply.

Central Element acquired the site earlier this year as part of its continued expansion across Sydney's eastern suburbs, lower north shore and inner west.

The developer's current pipeline includes luxury apartment projects Pearl Bondi and a separate development on Lamrock Avenue in Bondi, a residential project in Barry Street, Neutral Bay, and a mixed-use seniors living community in Greenwich.

Central Element Managing Director Nathan Chivas said the project would address a shortage of new owner-occupier housing opportunities in Drummoyne.

"While we're seeing a significant shift across Canada Bay as major infrastructure investment, population growth and planning reform drive a new chapter for the region, in suburbs like Drummoyne there remains a genuine shortage of new boutique luxury housing opportunities for owner occupiers," Chivas said.

"Sites of this nature are increasingly difficult to secure, particularly those that combine a north-facing aspect with direct water outlook. Our St Georges Crescent project responds directly to the market demand, offering a level of exclusivity, outlook and lifestyle in the highly sought after suburb."

The development application has been lodged with the City of Canada Bay Council, with the project expected to launch to market in early 2027.

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Central Element seeks second Drummoyne apartment development

The NSW Government has unveiled plans that could deliver around 1,300 new homes across Nowra and Kiama, continuing its push to unlock housing in well-located regional centres along the South Coast.

The proposals, now on public exhibition, would pave the way for around 830 homes in Nowra and a further 450 homes in Kiama, while also introducing affordable housing requirements and increased building heights in key locations.

The larger of the two proposals is centred on Nowra, where the NSW Government is seeking to rezone land within the Mandalay and Riverfront precincts.

The Mandalay sub-precinct, located close to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital, Nowra Library and the city's aquatic centre, could accommodate around 530 new homes. Around 30 per cent of housing delivered on Homes NSW-owned land would be dedicated to social and affordable housing, equating to roughly 100 homes. Building heights would increase from the current two-storey limit to between three and six storeys.

A separate rezoning proposal for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct would unlock a further 377 homes while creating stronger connections between the Shoalhaven River and the CBD. The plans include building heights ranging from five to 12 storeys, floor space ratios of up to 2:1 and a requirement for two per cent affordable housing.

Together, the two proposals would deliver more than 900 homes across the broader Nowra area, reinforcing the city's role as one of regional NSW's key growth centres.

The housing push builds on previous infrastructure commitments in the Shoalhaven, including government funding aimed at supporting thousands of future homes in West Nowra through upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure.

Further north, the NSW Government is also progressing plans for the former Kiama Depot site, a two-hectare parcel near Kiama's town centre.

The rezoning proposal would transform the former industrial site into a residential community capable of delivering up to 450 homes. Buildings would range between six and eight storeys, with at least 10 per cent of homes allocated as affordable housing. The proposal also includes approximately 600 parking spaces and improved walking and cycling connections.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the proposals are designed to increase housing supply in locations close to jobs, transport and services.

"For too long, families have struggled to find somewhere to live, and activating underutilised sites allows us to deliver the new homes these families need," Scully said.

"The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of unlocking well-located sites close to transport, jobs, and town centres and building the homes our communities need.

"These rezonings are about removing barriers to housing delivery and making sure land is put to better use so more people can find a place to call home within the communities they choose."

The latest rezonings form part of the Minns Government's broader strategy to accelerate housing delivery across NSW, particularly in established centres where existing infrastructure can support additional population growth.

Community consultation on the proposals is now underway, with feedback set to inform the final planning controls before the rezonings are determined.

Around 1,300 new homes earmarked for Nowra and Kiama as NSW Government pushes housing supply

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mrcb">MRCB International</a> has commenced construction on its latest Gold Coast apartment development, Maris, on the site of the former Sundale Motel in Southport.

The start of construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">Binah</a> follows an exceptionally strong sales campaign, with more than 90 per cent of apartments sold since launch. Every purchaser has been local, an&nbsp;indicator of confidence in both the development and Southport's evolution into a thriving CBD.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/maris-southport-20-queen-street-southport-qld-4215">Maris</a> will deliver 192 residences across 20 levels. The project forms part of MRCB's Australian and New Zealand development pipeline now exceeding $1.6 billion in gross development value, alongside a growing portfolio of projects globally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134403 project_image_fid=350663]

The company also commenced construction on its $600 million 26 Vista residences in Surfers Paradise last year, following strong sales momentum, with over 70 per cent of residences sold.

Maris has been designed to meet evolving buyer demand, offering architecturally designed layouts suited to long-term liveability. The approach reflects a growing preference for quality and adaptability among Gold Coast buyers.

Positioned next to the Broadwater in the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southport-qld-4215">Southport</a> CBD, Maris sits directly opposite the Broadwater Parklands light rail station and within easy reach of retail, dining and lifestyle precincts, placing residents at the centre of one of the Gold Coast's most connected and rapidly maturing urban centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134403 project_image_fid=372756]

Maris will offer a full suite of resort-style residential amenities, including a pool, gym and sauna, along with a rooftop level featuring decks, lounges and dining and yoga areas that command sweeping views across the Broadwater and out to the ocean.

Binah, a New South Wales headquartered company co-founded by Amen Zoabi and Khalil Hafza in 2008, has expressed its excitement at establishing its first partnership with MRCB.

Binah's Managing Director Khalil Hafza said partnering with MRCB on Maris is a significant moment for Binah.

"MRCB's financial strength and a track record that speaks for itself give this project a solid foundation, and this marks the beginning of what will be a long and successful relationship.

"With the right people, systems and partnerships behind it, Maris is set to become a significant addition to the Gold Coast's premium residential market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134403 project_image_fid=350664]

MRCB International CEO Ravi Krishnan said the project's progression to construction reflects both sustained demand and tightening conditions across the apartment sector, as well as MRCB's continued confidence in the Gold Coast market.

"Commencing construction at Maris is a significant step and reflects the depth of demand for quality apartments in well-connected urban locations," said Krishnan.

"Across Southeast Queensland, new apartment supply remains constrained, particularly in established precincts with infrastructure and amenity already in place. Projects like Maris are increasingly critical in meeting that demand, especially on the Gold Coast and in the city's CBD precinct."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134403 project_image_fid=372761]

Krishnan said Southport's ongoing transformation, supported by infrastructure investment and long-term planning, was underpinning renewed buyer confidence.

"We're seeing a clear shift back towards well-located urban centres where infrastructure, connectivity and amenity are already established," said Mr Krishnan. "Southport is evolving into a more mature CBD environment, and that is being reflected in buyer behaviour."

Construction at Maris is anticipated to be completed in 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134403]

Construction commences on MRCB’s $200m Maris Residences in Southport

Moonee Valley Park’s latest residential release <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveline-at-moonee-valley-park-moonee-ponds-100-thomas-street-moonee-ponds-vic-3039">The Eveline</a>, has achieved a new benchmark for off-the-plan apartment sales in the suburb, with the sale of The Alexandra penthouse selling for $5,435,000.

Positioned on the top floor of a 16-level residential building, the three-bedroom, three and-a-half-bathroom penthouse features uninterrupted city skyline views across the future Valley racetrack.&nbsp;

The landmark sale comes as momentum at the precinct continues to build, with the Moonee Valley Racing Club progressing works on its new racetrack ahead of the 2027 Cox Plate. The transformative development will see MVRC reimagine the beloved Valley as a vibrant year-round entertainment and lifestyle destination.

Alongside a world-class racing experience, the historic precinct will be activated with events, hospitality and public green spaces designed to attract broader audiences, while breathing new life into one of Melbourne’s most iconic destinations.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=142519 project_image_fid=372786]

Development partners <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hamton">Hamton Property Group</a> and Hostplus have delivered five residential stages over the past four years, the most recent in November 2025 with Trackside House and Stonepine House. The flourishing community is now home to almost 500 families.&nbsp;

The latest residential release, The Eveline, has recorded strong demand since launching publicly last July, securing more than $200 million in sales to date, satisfying its pre sales hurdle for construction to commence.&nbsp;

Hamton Founder and Executive Chairman, Paul Hameister OAM said, the sales&nbsp;team have been overwhelmed by demand for these unique homes in this unique project.

"Buyers continue to be predominantly hyperlocal and attracted by the 40 hectare botanic masterplan in Melbourne’s inner north west," Hameister said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=142519 project_image_fid=372788]

Hamton’s Sales and Marketing Director Fergus Humphries said the team has achieved more than 70 sales over the past eight weeks, including the penthouse purchase by a local buyer.

"These results reinforce that, even in a challenging market, purchasers continue to be drawn to quality projects that offer more than just a home, they offer a lifestyle.”

Designed by Cera Stribley, the penthouse has been created with entertaining in mind, spanning close to 400 sqm of indoor and outdoor living space, including multiple terraces designed to capture sweeping views across Melbourne’s skyline, the new Valley racecourse and sunset views over Moonee Ponds.

Moonee Valley Park is one of Melbourne’s largest urban renewal projects, transforming the iconic racecourse site into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood integrating homes, parklands, retail, racing and community amenities.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=142519]

Moonee Valley Park penthouse sets suburb record as sales surge clears construction benchmark

A company linked to one of Australia's largest privately owned cattle businesses has lodged plans for a new residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newstead-qld-4006">Newstead</a>, continuing the rapid transformation of one of Brisbane's most sought-after, inner-city precincts.

Bottletree Holdings, an entity associated with Stanbroke Managing Director Brendan Menegazzo, has submitted a development application for a 28-storey mixed-use tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-longland-street-newstead-qld-4006">9 Longland Street</a>, a site that made headlines last year when it changed hands in an off-market transaction that reportedly set a benchmark land rate for the suburb.

The proposal would replace an existing two-storey commercial building on the 1,510 sqm corner site with a Bureau Proberts-designed tower comprising 76 apartments, ground-floor retail, office space and a suite of resident wellness amenities.

<img alt="9 Longland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c710a836-568e-4382-bc91-3c34b8e80a8b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-22%20at%209.41.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Vy.mQWBc7GA_a.vIBdxKqRC9XGjWalo2" />

According to planning documents lodged with Brisbane City Council, the development would comprise a mix of 36 two-bedroom apartments, 24 three-bedroom apartments and 16 four-bedroom residences, positioning the project firmly at the premium end of the market. The apartments would sit above a podium containing retail and commercial space, with three levels of communal recreation facilities spread throughout the tower. The proposal also includes 198 car spaces and 95 bicycle spaces.

Bureau Proberts has drawn heavily on Newstead's industrial heritage in developing the architectural response.

"Occupying a prominent corner in the heart of Newstead, the proposal draws from the area's industrial lineage of robust brick warehouses to deliver a distinctly contemporary response," the architects said in the design statement.

"It is conceived as a subtropical sanctuary and elevated private retreat embedded within one of Brisbane's most vibrant lifestyle precincts."

The design seeks to reinterpret the traditional Queensland vernacular through wraparound verandahs, deep shading elements and permeable facades that respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate.

<img alt="9 Longland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="25524f59-395c-4825-8fad-9b639822fa8a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-22%20at%209.42.09%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=dlWlbpCc_g3Y6yTLGqRVKvGJvO2ubMJ3" />

Planning documents describe the building as embodying the principles of "buildings that breathe", a design approach increasingly favoured in Brisbane's apartment market as developers focus on natural ventilation and outdoor living spaces.

The tower itself would rise above a heavily landscaped podium designed to reference the woolstore architecture that helped define Newstead and neighbouring Teneriffe for generations. At ground level, fine-grain retail tenancies would activate Longland Street, Wyandra Street and the existing Wyatt Street laneway, further extending the pedestrian network that has become a hallmark of the Gasworks precinct.

The application notes that more than 54 per cent of the site would be dedicated to landscaping and deep planting, while approximately 1,750 sqm of communal recreation space would be delivered across multiple levels.

<img alt="Planning" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fed3b189-1054-4b68-af5f-b0befc4a66e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-22%20at%209.42.19%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=gqeE3cjsbnLAfeTUKA1HtPZfqDs6S4Xa" />

Bottletree paid $22 million for the 1,510 sqm development site, equating to more than $14,500 per sqm, a reflection of the strong demand for development opportunities in Newstead. The suburb continues to attract both developers and buyers, underpinned by the ongoing evolution of the Gasworks and Teneriffe precincts into some of Brisbane's most sought-after lifestyle destinations.

Brisbane City Council's Sustainable Growth Strategy and Inner City Strategy both identify Newstead as a priority growth precinct capable of accommodating additional housing density due to its proximity to employment hubs, public transport and lifestyle infrastructure.

The proposed tower joins a growing pipeline of high-end apartment developments in the suburb. Fortis recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a>, a 65-apartment owner-occupier-focused development on Kyabra Street, while Consolidated Properties Group is preparing to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a 227-apartment waterfront project on Skyring Terrace.

Meanwhile, builder-developer BPG is planning its own Newstead project on Maud Street, comprising just over 100 apartments and more than 1,380 sqm of dedicated wellness and resident amenity spaces, further highlighting the shift towards lifestyle-driven apartment developments in Brisbane's inner-city market.

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News