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The 1860s Bourke Street terrace that previously homed Melbourne institution Kozminsky jewellers is up for lease.
It's been almost half a century since the popular jewellers closed its doors at the terrace at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-melbourne-502299238" target="_blank">421 Bourke Street</a>.
Colliers International retail agents Cam Taranto and Jarrod Herscu are handling the international leasing campaign.
Herscu said 421 Bourke Street presented “an invaluable opportunity for a new tenant to take advantage of the corner location of a Melbourne CBD icon”.
“This elegant building has a long association with the livestock and real estate industry in Melbourne's early days and the banking boom in its later days,” he said.
“It now rings the successful association of Kozminsky, who operated in the building for more than 40 years.
“We have no doubt the new tenant will be able to enjoy as much success as its predecessor.”
“With retail vacancies within the Melbourne CBD core tightening up year-on-year and currently sitting at about 2.4 per cent, we are seeing further expansion and rental growth through all other sectors of the CBD retail scene,” Herscu said.
Taranto is expecting a large enquiry driven by hospitality operators, which comprised about 80 per cent of deals in 2016.
“We are seeing super hospitality groups, both national and international, including Urban Purveyor Group, PTT Family, Dixon Hospitality, The Publican Group and Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, all looking to expand rapidly and even looking to acquire other businesses to gain market share,” he said.
“This was the case with Urban Purveyor Group acquiring Neil Perry's Rockpool and Dixon Hospitality acquiring The Keystone Group in late 2016,” he said.
Colliers International will also be targeting the beauty industry in its campaign, which Mr Herscu said was one of the strongest-performing segments in the market, as well as jewellery, fashion and accessories.
“Along Bourke Street Mall, we are seeing a huge influx of enquiry from international brands, including Apple, Google, Victoria's Secret, Kit and Ace, Suitsupply, Rag &amp; Bone, West Elm and COS, all looking for their first Melbourne CBD flagship or additional space,” Mr Herscu said.
“In addition, due to low vacancy rates, a growing CBD population and strong retail-trading conditions, we are seeing record rentals in the Melbourne CBD.
“The latest deal is a new flagship joint venture between international brands Nike and Footlocker (Hoops), which are paying approximately $10,000 per square metre, a new rental benchmark for a non-corner site in the mall.”
Taranto said the tightly held vacancies and continued population growth had presented opportunity for developers to expand the retail footprint within the Melbourne CBD.
“Two projects that have been in the pipeline for some years, 405 Bourke Street and 150 Queen Street, will include a new retail arcade, offices and apartments sitting on either side of the Kozminsky building and on the outskirts of Bourke Street Mall,” he said.
“Within the northern part of the Melbourne CBD, multi-storey residential developments are shaping a new Melbourne lifestyle. It is slowly becoming the most densely populated pocket in Australia, with more than 3,971 new apartments currently under construction.”
Taranto said that as the retail landscape changed, tenants were looking for spaces that offered long tenor and the opportunity to create their own identities through securing heritage-facade buildings.
“H&amp;M did this on a much larger scale when it secured the GPO, which is now considered a landmark location in the Melbourne CBD,” he said.
“Along Collins Street, this is very common among the luxury brands, such as Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Longchamp and Prada, which all have taken long leases on heritage-facade buildings to establish their unique brands.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne's Kozminsky Jewellers space available after closing its doors after 40 years

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Sentosa, a 100 year old Hobart waterfront, has been snappily sold having come with $6.5 million hopes through Knight Frank agent Mathew Chugg.
It was sold by Wendy and Barry Turnbull who paid $815,000 for the home in 1993.
The 1917 home designed by Marco Linardi sits amid 2309 sqm of Paul Bangay-designed gardens on Blinking Billy Point.
The grounds meander down to the water with a lawn overlooking Long Beach.
The home spanning 693 sqm has five bedrooms, including two on the fully self-contained first floor that also comprises a lounge, kitchen and bathroom. 
The master suite with separate dressing room overlooks the river and there's a 15 metre indoor pool in a conservatory inspired room.
The ground floor features a grand dining room, lounge and stately staircase crafted from Huon pine with bespoke iron balustrades.
Early Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith visited when he honeymooned in Hobart with his second wife Mary in 1931.
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<div class="wp-caption">This article first appeared in the Weekend Australian's Mansion Australia section.</div>
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Snappy sale for Tasmanian mansion Sentosa 

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Demand from office occupiers is evolving, as revealed in CBRE’s 2016 Australia Occupier Survey, and CBRE expects to see further evidence of this demonstrated in leasing activity in 2017, according to CBRE’s latest report.
The survey targeted 100 large commercial occupiers throughout Australia across a broad range of industries to find out which factors are driving occupiers future real estate strategies.
People, technology and the new economic order are changing our approach to work and thus the concept of how, when and were we work.
This structural shift will increasingly impact on leasing decisions when considering location, building selection, workplace format, quality of building services and amenities, and the customer experience offering.
Occupiers identified consolidation, change of workplace format and growth as the top three real estate strategies they plan to implement in the next three years in order to drive their overall business strategy.
Cost continues to outpace other considerations as the most important factor in the real estate location/building selection decision.
Cost reductions are important to occupiers and rationalising space in a way to achieve this, with a focus on reviewing requirements beyond their current lease.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-16%20at%205.35.33%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Occupiers cited as key objectives for their future real estate strategy:
. Implementing more-flexible work practices through a new workplace format
. Reducing corporate footprint
. Increasing utilisation rates
From the survey, 57 percent of occupiers expected to increase their staff headcount by 2018 but only 22 percent plan to increase their net lettable area.
This will ultimately translate into more people in less space. The average workspace ratio is predicted to decrease by 5.5 percent as a result.
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As businesses look to consolidate and change their workplace formats to achieve greater space utilisation rates, an efficient floorplate will be key in supporting these goals.
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Occupier demand is evolving as workplace strategies change: CBRE

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A classic English Tudor style mansion in Millswood has sold for $2.21 million, making it the most expensive across South Australia last week.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-millswood-124557642" target="_blank">12 room home</a> with bluestone bay windows offers six bedrooms, two bathrooms, an elegant sitting room and separate dining room on a on 1114 sqm parcel.
A large family room opens to a private lawned area with a heated swimming pool, spa and covered outdoor entertainment area with outside kitchen.
The upstairs parents retreat has its own bathroom, walk in wardrobe and study.
Harcourts Brock Estates agents Michael and Susan Brock sold the home that last traded for $1.5 million in 2006.
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Millswood Tudor home tops South Australian weekly sales: CoreLogic

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Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold is having a stellar season on and off the field.
He's just sold his renovated Drummoyne waterfront.
Arnold listed the three bedroom apartment that cost him $2.19 million in 2015 a day before the opening game of the season last October.
It's last price guide was $2.85 million before being relisted Cobden &amp; Hayson agent Daniel Patterson.
Spread over two levels, the 320 sqm apartment is wrapped in multiple outdoor living areas with views across the bay from the majestic arch of the Gladesville Bridge across Hunters Hill. 
It was described as a 'house-like retreat' in the marketing.
There's also a roof terrace with built-in barbecue and a landscaped flagstone courtyard.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
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Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold sells Drummoyne waterfront

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The Gold Coast's $650 million development Serenity Cove has been launched by SDSC, a JV development between Malaysia's Sime Darby and Brunsfield International Group.
Serenity Cove will feature 450 apartments, townhomes and freestanding homes, marina and 3800sqm lakefront retail and dining precinct.
The lots range from 630sqm to 1517sqm with prices starting at $529,000.
The release includes48 waterfront lots along Saltwater Creek and Lake Serenity, some with marina berths.
Tony Hymus, Colliers International national director of residential project marketing said land supply on the Gold Coast is in short supply, and all Serenity Cove lots are fully completed and buyers will be able to effectively start building immediately.
Serenity Cove borders Oyster Cove and Hope Island Resort.
<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/2017/02/20/aerial_masterplan2.jpg" alt="">
Hymus said they have seen solid demand for land in the city’s northern corridor over the past couple of years, particularly in areas such as Coomera and Pimpama.
“However, there has been nothing like Serenity Cove come to the market in a very long time, especially in such a central location," he said.
“Hope Island has finally come of age and the market is increasingly recognising the amenity of the area, including extensive waterways, luxury resorts and championship golf courses.
“Proximity to Brisbane is also proving a bonus. We had one interstate buyer arrive at Brisbane Airport at 9.30am and was onsite at 10.15am.”
Mark Mehr, project manager  said the launch of Serenity Cove has been supported by strong buyer interest for land and a rising scarcity of prime waterfront lots.
“This is the last development of its kind at Hope Island, and we’re being inundated with enquires from people nationwide,” Mr Mehr said.
“We are expecting a good response from buyers as we release the first stage of this waterfront community. It offers a range of designs to suit a variety of lifestyles.”
 Serenity Cove has around 27ha of nature reserves with 10ha to be developed into parkland. Just 19ha of Serenity Cove will be developed.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/02/20/Render%202.jpeg" alt="">
For more information visit <a href="https://www.serenitycove.com.au" target="_blank">serenitycove.com.au</a> or phone 1800 188 018.
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$650 million Serenity Cove launches to the market

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A residential development site in Byron Bay has been listed for sale by JLL’s Sales &amp; Investments Team.  
Offers close on the 4,542sqm site in Shirley Street on March 23.
JLL’s Blake Goddard said the property is being offered with a development approval for 17 luxury 3 bedroom apartments facing Byron Bay’s main beach.
The site provides direct beach access and is situated within 300m from Byron Bay’s high street representing a true rarity,” he said.
“Byron Bay has seen significant capital growth in the past few years and is set to continue as the increase in investment from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne high net worth privates continue.
The plans have been designed by the architectural firm, Hayball, said Elliott O’Shea of JLL.
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Development site listed in Byron Bay township

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Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury had the highest clearance rate in Sydney, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury had a clearance rate of 91.7 percent.
This is followed by Sutherland with 91.3 percent and Ryde with 90.3 percent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-20%20at%2011.13.09%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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The Outer South West region had the lowest clearance rate with only 54.6 percent of its 11 known auctions cleared.
Over the weekend a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-kellyville-124530090" target="_blank">33 Perkins Drive</a>, Kellyville (above) was sold for $1,652,000.
Similarly a five bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-castle+hill-124510858" target="_blank">53 Ulundri Drive</a>, Castle Hill (below) was sold for $1,846,000.
<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/2017/02/20/53%20Ulundri%20Drive.jpg" alt="">
Other sales includes a five bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-baulkham+hills-124539942" target="_blank">62 Carver Crescent</a>, Baulkham Hills (below) was recently sold for $1,206,000.
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Similarly a three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-north+richmond-121933174" target="_blank">14 Fulton Place</a>, North Richmond (below) was recently sold for $622,500.
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Sydney's Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury hit 91 percent clearance rate: CoreLogic

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Melbourne’s North East region achieved the highest auction clearance rate, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The property data firm says that out of the 76 auctions known to CoreLogic 85.5 percent were cleared.
This is followed by Outer East with 82 percent and the North West with 79.5 percent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-20%20at%2011.13.20%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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The Mornington Peninsula region had the lowest clearance rate with only 67.7 percent of its 34 auctions were cleared.
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-preston-124563850" target="_blank">55 David Street</a>, Preston (above) was sold for $913,250.
Similarly a three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-epping-124523882" target="_blank">30 Numurkah Common</a>, Epping (below) was sold for $388,000.
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Melbourne's North East region hits 85 percent auction clearance rate: CoreLogic

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All reported auctions at the Sunshine Coast were cleared, according to CoreLogic’s latest preliminary report.
The property data firm says that all of the Sunshine Coast’s 11 known auctions were sold achieving a 100 percent clearance rate. There are still 11 unreported results which could see the success rate halve.
This is followed nationally by the Hunter region with 73.5 percent and Geelong with 65.2 percent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-20%20at%2011.13.27%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/02/20/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-20%20at%2011.13.27%20am.jpg" alt="">
The Gold Coast had the lowest auction clearance rate with only half of its 42 auctions cleared.
A five bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-peregian+springs-124353298" target="_blank">11 Riviera Crescent</a>, Peregian Springs (above) was recently sold.
Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-kawana+island-124086454" target="_blank">5 Mauritius Crescent</a>, Kawana Island (below) was sold for $806,000.
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Sunshine Coast scores 100 percent auction clearance rate success: CoreLogic

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

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The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

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The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

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Joel Robinson

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

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Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

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From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

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While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

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Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

As apartment buyers increasingly look beyond the four walls of their residence, the quality and depth of shared amenity has become a defining factor in how developments are designed and experienced, particularly in the high-rise, new apartment development space.

In Southbank, where high-density living continues to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and convenience as part of everyday life.

That approach sits at the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">AURA</a>, the latest residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>’s $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct. Rising 67 storeys above Hoff Boulevard, the 673-apartment development has been conceived around what OSK describes as a “vertical wellness ecosystem”, a layered collection of amenities that extends throughout the building rather than being confined to a single podium level.

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The amenity offering begins on the seventh level within the AURA Club, a dedicated resident hub focused on health, relaxation, and daily convenience. Here, residents will have access to an indoor swimming pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, and steam room, alongside a fully equipped gym, reformer Pilates studio, and yoga room.

The wellness facilities are complemented by a range of spaces that acknowledge the changing ways people live and work. Work-from-home lounges and co-working areas sit alongside a library, music room, games room, cinema facilities, and open-air terrace spaces, providing residents with flexible environments that can adapt throughout the day.

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Beyond the internal amenity, AURA introduces a series of Japanese-inspired gardens that form a quieter counterpoint to the tower’s social spaces.

Landscaped retreats feature curated outdoor dining, tranquil courtyard seating, fire pit, and a tea house pavilion. Rather than functioning as simple recreational areas, the gardens have been designed as places for reflection and informal gathering, drawing on principles of balance, nature, and calm that underpin the project's broader design philosophy.

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The social amenity continues to evolve as residents move higher through the building. Levels 49 and 50 house the Meridian Club, where a lounge bar, conservatory spaces, and private dining rooms take advantage of elevated city views. At the summit of the tower, the exclusive Cumulus Club spans Levels 66 and 67, offering additional lounges, private dining, and meditation and treatment rooms positioned above Melbourne’s skyline.

For OSK Property, the extensive amenity offering reflects a broader focus on wellbeing as a core component of apartment living rather than an added feature.

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after Southbank,” says OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367796]

AURA’s amenity strategy extends beyond the tower itself through its integration with the wider Melbourne Square precinct.

Residents will have direct access to Kennedy Park, Southbank’s 3,745 sqm landscaped public park, alongside a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre, hospitality venues, and approximately 1,600 sqm of additional retail planned within AURA’s lower levels. Together, these elements create a highly connected residential environment where daily needs, recreation, and wellness are woven into the fabric of the community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370253]

As Melbourne’s apartment market continues to mature, developments are increasingly judged by the lifestyle they provide beyond individual residences.

Through its combination of wellness facilities, landscaped retreats, social clubs, and precinct-wide amenity, AURA represents a shift toward a more comprehensive model of vertical living, one where shared spaces play as significant a role as the homes themselves.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

Builder-developer Scion is the latest to target Sydney's booming Hills Showground Metro precinct, filing plans for more than 100 apartments within walking distance of the station.

Scion has lodged a concurrent rezoning and State Significant Development Application for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-33-middleton-avenue-castle-hill-nsw-2154">27–33 Middleton Avenue</a>, where it plans to replace four existing homes with an 11 and 14-storey mixed-use development comprising 109 apartments, six affordable housing dwellings, and a ground-floor café.

Designed by BHK Architects, the proposal includes three levels of basement parking with 174 spaces, more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space, and extensive landscaping across the 3,791 sqm site.

The development has been designed as two buildings connected by a recessed wintergarden spine, with the 14-storey building positioned to the south and the 11-storey building to the north.

<img alt="Scion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64dc359d-736b-43b8-87a8-70a8285cab47" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%208.47.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PXh.m8id_aevBPHEckPf88wQ2RQThPos" />

The apartment mix has been weighted towards owner-occupiers, with 13 one-bedroom apartments, 55 two-bedroom residences, 31 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom lofts, and four four-bedroom homes. Six apartments will be dedicated as affordable housing in line with the NSW Housing SEPP.

According to the Architectural Design Report by BKH, the proposal seeks to create "a place-responsive architecture" inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Cattai Creek, while strengthening the public domain through landscaping, active frontages and a neighbourhood café.

Atlas Urban, in its Urban Design Report, says the proposal takes a different approach to increasing density around Hills Showground Station by favouring a more slender, vertically articulated built form over a conventional mid-rise outcome. The report argues this allows for greater deep soil planting, improved solar access and a better public domain outcome, while still delivering additional housing close to rapid public transport.

The site sits around 500 metres from Hills Showground Metro Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant residential intensification following the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line. Planning documents accompanying the application note that Greater Sydney's population has grown by more than one million people since planning for the precinct first began, reinforcing the need to accelerate housing delivery around existing transport infrastructure.

Scion is expanding its development pipeline which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde-nsw-2114">Chatham in West Ryde</a>, 62 apartments which are approaching completion. They also have a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">145 apartments on Anzac Avenue</a>, also in West Ryde.

First look: Scion plots Castle Hill apartment development near Hills Showground Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its scaled-back plans for a pair of towers rising up to 49 storeys directly opposite Bella Vista Metro Station.

The builder-developer will deliver 674 apartments and a new mixed-use hub at the gateway to the station precinct.

The State Significant Development Application has been lodged under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for the 6,979 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-11-mawson-avenue-bella-vista-nsw-2153">9-11 Mawson Avenue</a>, with the apartments sitting above a mixed-use podium. Initial plans were for closer to 900 apartments across two 40-storey towers.

Located around 30 metres from the Bella Vista Metro Station entrance, the development is intended to act as a catalyst for the long-planned Bella Vista Station Precinct, transforming a vacant site into a transit-oriented residential and commercial destination.

Planning documents describe the project as delivering "a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c08216-589e-490d-ad08-2d88b6fa62d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20podium.png?VersionId=3TnwjjQCNwTsmyQRaWnFrLTSAF0CJeka" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the project comprises 674 apartments, including 102 affordable housing dwellings representing 15 per cent of the residential floor space. The housing mix spans studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of townhouse-style residences integrated into the podium levels. The development also includes specialist disability accommodation and an elevated provision of adaptable and liveable housing.

The mixed-use podium has been designed to create an active urban centre around the Metro station, incorporating a 1,423 sqm supermarket, a 3,029 sqm gym, specialty retail spaces, a 100-place childcare centre and a publicly accessible "city room" community space. A secondary laneway, active frontages and landscaped public areas are intended to improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and strengthen links between the station precinct and surrounding neighbourhood.

In the project's design report, Turner said the proposal responds to Bella Vista's emerging role as a higher-density centre within Sydney's north-west growth corridor.

"The project transforms a strategically located site into a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting," the report states.

"Active frontages, a publicly accessible city room, a secondary laneway and a mix of uses including a local supermarket, child care centre and gym create a more complete and socially useful urban environment for residents, workers and the wider community."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fde6220-82de-4f6a-9b63-d0fd8157acc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20da.png?VersionId=7hEmuSutH8plTd_RqqdmPu055F6qe554" />

Urban Property Group has been one of the busiest developers across Greater Sydney this year.

The developer is progressing around 1,000 apartments across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-urban-property-group-plans-next-major-wollongong-tower">two projects in Wollongong</a>, with several thousand more homes in the pipeline across Newcastle, Castle Hill, Little Bay and Penrith.

Staff reporter

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