<html><body>
In June 2016 the Supreme Court of Victoria handed down its decision in the case of Swan v Uecker [2016] VSC 313.
The case is heralded as a victory for landlords after the Supreme Court held that, by allowing Airbnb guests short-term use of their rented apartment, the tenants had breached their lease by sub-letting the property.
The Landlord (Swan) leased her apartment to the Tenants (Uecker and Greaves) pursuant to a residential tenancies agreement (lease).
During the course of the lease the Landlord became aware that the Tenants were making the apartment available to guests via the Airbnb website.
The Landlord had not consented to the use of the property in that way.
The Landlord subsequently sought an order for possession from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on the basis that the Tenants breached their lease by sub-letting the property, without the Landlord’s consent, when making it available to Airbnb guests. VCAT dismissed the application.
The VCAT decision held that, despite offering the property to Airbnb guests, the Airbnb Agreement between the Airbnb guests and the Tenants as hosts did not entitle Airbnb guests to exclusive possession of the property and granted a mere licence to occupy. 
On this basis, the Tenants “had not sub-let their tenancy agreement” with the Landlord. The Landlord appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court held that the Airbnb Agreement between Uecker and Greaves and the Airbnb guests was characterised as a lease, rather than a mere licence.
Accordingly, the arrangement to allow Airbnb guests to occupy the property constituted a sub-lease and consequently the Tenants were in breach of their lease.
The case garnered a significant amount of public attention as Australian legislation grapples with the rise of the sharing economy such as Airbnb and Uber. The Judge also noted that, despite the public attention:
“This is not a case on the merits of Airbnb arrangements. Neither is it a case on whether or not Airbnb arrangements might be said to be ‘illegal’ – either in some particular or some general, non-legal, sense. Rather it is a case, on appeal, which raises for determination – directly or indirectly – the legal character of this particular Airbnb arrangement and any consequences this characterisation may have in the context of the terms of the lease of the apartment concerned.”
This decision was followed up by the subsequent Supreme Court decision in Owners Corporation PS 501391P v Balcombe [2016] VSC 384 where the court held that Owners Corporations could not make rules to ban landlords from renting their properties using the Airbnb website.
The article first appeared on TressCox Lawyer's <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au/" target="_blank">website</a>.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Property 101: Airbnb guests breached tenants lease of property

<html><body>
The iconic Bondi Backpackers at Bondi Beach has sold for around $18 million to the Millet family, the family behind the international Wake Up! hostel chain.
It was originally passed in at its Ray White Double Bay auction for $17.8 million.
Comprising 52 rooms and accommodating 138 guests, the landmark property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-hotel+leisure-nsw-bondi+beach-502144966" target="_blank">108-110 Campbell Parade</a> offers 12 metre frontage and just a road separates it from Bondi Beach.
It offers single rooms to six person dorms.
The ground floor retail tenancies are currently occupied by the Bavarian Bier Cafe and Backpacker World Travel. It brings in $1,364,989 per annum.
Ray White Double Bay’s Craig Pontey said the property’s location was just one of a handful of urban locations that are instantly recognised by international visitors.
“The total income from the property is currently in the order of $1,364,989 per annum, and as an ideal owner-operator business, I believe that there’s considerable potential to increase income,” Pontey told news.com.au.
“There have been a number of recent sales in the immediate area, including the $19.12 million result for 124 Campbell Pde, and this level of interest is further enhanced by the amount of development at Bondi Beach and that includes the $38 million major upgrading of Bondi Pavilion by Waverley Council.” 
</body></html>

Bondi Backpackers sells for $18 million to Wake Up! hostel chain

<html><body>
TressCox Property Partner Gary Newton, as the Chairman of the Australian Property Law Group of the Law Council of Australia, was part of a recent dedication ceremony for a plaque in memory of Sir Robert Torrens at a church in Leusdon, England, where he is buried.
Sir Robert Torrens, the third Premier of South Australia, invented the worldwide Torrens title system in Adelaide in 1858 - a simplified system of transferring land.
The plaque was erected by the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Institute of Conveyancers.
The ceremony was attended by a group of pre-eminent Australian property lawyers as well as the President of the Institute of Conveyancers Santina Taranto, the Secretary General of the International Property Registries Association Dr Nicholas Nogueroles, and Professor Peter Butt, as well as a large local church congregation.
The article first appeared in TressCox Lawyer's <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au/" target="_blank">website</a>.
</body></html>

Plaque in honour of Sir Robert Torrens unveiled

<html><body>
A home in Darwin takes the longest time to sell across the capital cities, according to CoreLogic’s latest weekly report.
The property advisory firm says that the average home in Darwin can expect to take 146 days to sell.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nt-driver-123758086" target="_blank">A three bedroom Driver property</a> has been for sale since April. It has a $365,000 plus asking price. It was up for rent at $450 a week in July last year.
<a href="/images/2016/11/21/Capital%20city%20median%20time.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/21/Capital%20city%20median%20time.jpg" alt="">
This is compared to Canberra where a home will only be on the market for 24 days on average before being sold.
Units in Perth takes the longest time to sell with an average of 89 days on the market before it is sold compared to Sydney’s 27 days for a unit.
</body></html>

Homes in Darwin takes 146 days to sell: CoreLogic

<html><body>
Former Olympic swimming couple Matt Dunn and his wife, Dr Eydis Konradsdottir, have secured $3.2 million on their Bondi Junction re-build.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-bondi+junction-123829526" target="_blank">The contemporary two storey, four bedroom home </a>on 183 square metres, sold under the hammer through Home Estates agent Carl Wilson.
There were four bidders at the Cooley auction room. The couple paid $785,000 for the building block in 2006.
Dunn competed at three Olympic Games in the freestyle, setting four world records over his career. He won six Commonwealth Gold medals in the medley events.
The board member of the International Swimming Federation is now a director of Savills capital transactions focusing on NSW’s suburban commercial investments.
Having retired from competitive swimming in 2001, Matthew pursued a career in real estate working for Goodman, Parkview Group, and more recently as a consultant with Pepper Property.
Konradsdottir, who is now a doctor, competed at two Olympic games for Iceland and once held an Icelandic record in the 100 metre butterfly.
They are off to the North Shore to be closer to schools.
This article first appeared in The Sunday Telegraph.
</body></html>

Olympic swimming pair off the blocks in Bondi Junction

<html><body>
A prime development site at Macquarie Park has been listed for sale by Property NSW.
It has the potential to deliver up to 8,000 public and private sector jobs in the area.
The 32,000 square metre property at <a href="https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay/Have-your-Say/Planning-Proposal-45-61-Waterloo-Road-Macquarie-Park" target="_blank">45-61 Waterloo Road</a>, is zoned B3 Commercial core and will be sold with a NSW government lease pre-commitment.
The site has development potential for approximately 117,000 square metres of gross floor area, subject to council approval.
The sale and leaseback will result in the delivery of 25,000 square metres of new office accommodation for the NSW government, which equates to around 2,000 jobs.
CEO of Property NSW, Brett Newman, said the property should attract strong interest given its proximity to major transport links and the strength of Macquarie Park’s office market.
“By selling this vacant, underutilised site the government can facilitate significant economic growth through the provision of more than 8,000 public and private sector jobs in the precinct," Newman said.
“Macquarie Park is already an economic and commercial powerhouse, and that reputation will be enhanced in the coming years as thousands of new jobs complement new housing and improved transport links in the precinct."
The commercial development site will be positioned around a large landscaped park after the NSW government lodged a planning proposal earlier this year to facilitate development of a 7,000 square metre park on the site, delivering more green space for the community.
Once the planning proposal is gazetted for the park, the government will lodge a development application to subdivide the site, with the City of Ryde Council to acquire and landscape the park using the government’s previously announced $6 million grant.
Expressions of interest will close on 14 December 2016, with development expected to be completed by mid-2019.
</body></html>

Development site sale to deliver jobs boost for Macquarie Park

<html><body>
The longstanding appeal of Australian markets as a destination for core investors globally continues, according to new real estate forecast.
Australia’s popularity is a result of a mature market and relatively high yields, but an acute shortage of investable assets has led to reduced transaction volume in 2016, according to Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific 2017, published by the Urban Land Institute and PWC.
Large amounts of foreign capital continue to arrive in Australia looking for deals, although 2015 was the first in many years where domestic purchases were the largest component of investment-grade acquisitions.
This reflects the huge weight of capital that needs to be invested in Australia from domestic pension funds.
“The numbers of investors that are looking for opportunities vastly outweighs the prospects available because the amount of institutional-quality real estate is small,” said John Carfi, ULI Australia chairman and head of residential at Mirvac.
“We have noticed that although foreign investors are generally reluctant to migrate away from the CBD, a lack of available stock means they often have little choice if they want to place capital."
This year’s investment prospects survey shows a strong shift away from last year’s favorites, which featured Sydney and Melbourne, in favor of emerging-market destinations, with two Indian cities topping a list which also includes Vietnam, the Philippines and Shenzhen in 5th position.
Other major survey findings include steep declines in the popularity of gateway cities, with the exception of Shanghai which has seen a resurgence in foreign investment over the last couple of years, despite high prices.
This overarching shift reflects the difficulty in sourcing core assets in an environment where owners have few other places to invest their capital if they sell, together with the growing urgency of investors’ quest for yield as returns are squeezed ever lower.
The top five markets for investment and development in 2017:
• Bangalore (first in investment and development) –The big story for investors has long been the city’s role as India’s main hub for the business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT industries. There is huge demand for space as both domestic and international companies flock to open both call-in and research-and-development centers.
• Mumbai (second in investment, third in development) – Mumbai’s geography has prevented easy expansion of the city’s metropolitan area, which has made it both the most expensive city in India and the slowest growing. However, a major road and rail infrastructure program will allow easier access to the center from outlying areas, with most construction scheduled for completion before 2019.
• Manila (third in investment, fourth in development) –The Philippines continues to attract positive comments, with its vibrant economy led by a booming BPO market and strong remittances from overseas workers. Today, the fundamentals appear as strong as ever. Demand is resilient and vacancies remain low, and office capital values and rents continue to show good growth.
• Ho Chi Minh City (fourth in investment, second in development) –Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in South-east Asia and is probably the most popular real estate investment destination, with capital arriving from numerous sources but in particular from Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
• Shenzhen (fifth in investment, fifth in development) – The major recent talking point for Shenzhen has been its residential sector, where prices have soared more than 40% year on year in the first three quarters of 2016—the fastest in the world. On the commercial side, office rents have been on a steady upward trajectory for years and are now double their level of 2009.
Other findings from the report include the following:
• Core assets continue to be the favored asset class, although product is becoming increasingly hard to source. One way around this is for investors to assume development risk by pursuing “build-to-core” projects. Although these are not traditionally considered a core strategy, many core investors are now willing to adopt this approach, especially when it involves buyers such as insurance companies that are likely to be long-term holders of the end product.
• Investors with a mandate for higher return strategies continue to migrate up the risk curve, both in terms of sectors — pursuing niche strategies such as sub-logistics facilities or data centers — and geographically, with emerging markets such as India drawing increasing attention.
• Investments in metropolitan areas have become a popular theme given ongoing trends of urbanization, land shortages in city centers, and low returns from central business district projects. Cities across the Asia Pacific including Sydney, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Jakarta are engaged in major transportation construction projects that link suburbs or satellite towns to city centers.
• In line with markets in the West, Asia is embracing the shared economy. The last 12 months have seen huge growth in the adoption of shared workspaces, either as standalone businesses that rent open-plan office facilities to individual or corporate users, or on a corporate basis, as large companies scrap conventional office layouts and embrace hot-desking and collaborative working environments. On the residential side, shared spaces are also becoming more prominent as rising prices continue to shrink apartment footprints.
The report, which is being released at a series of events across Asia over the next several weeks, provides an outlook on Asia Pacific real estate investment and development trends, real estate finance and capital markets, and trends by property sector and metropolitan area.
It is based on the opinions of 604 internationally renowned real estate professionals, including investors, developers, property company representatives, lenders, brokers and consultants.
The full report is available here.
</body></html>

Australian property markets continue to attract global investors

<html><body>
Mortgage aggregator Finsure Finance &amp; Insurance’s continued growth has been recognised in BRW Magazine’s Fast 100 List for the first time.
It had featuring in its top 100 Fast Starters List the previous two years.
The 2016 Fast 100 List includes Australia’s fastest growing companies which started trading before July 1, 2012, and is ranked by average revenue growth.
Finsure, which placed second overall in the top 100 Fast Starters in 2015, was ranked sixth in the 2016 Fast 100 List after enjoying revenue growth of 191.2% in the 2015/16 financial year.
Finsure managing director John Kolenda said the latest acknowledgement from BRW recognises the rapid growth of the company which recently reached a major landmark by recruiting its 1,000th broker less than five years after it was founded.
He said the speed of Finsure’s growth, which includes surpassing $1 billion in settlements, had exceeded his expectations and was a tribute to the hard work of the company’s brokers and staff.
Since it was founded, Finsure has achieved numerous awards and acknowledgements.
The company was ranked second when the SmartCompany top 50 was named to celebrate Australia’s fastest growing SMEs in 2014-15.
Kolenda said the company’s achievements had been exciting since establishing Finsure in 2011.
“These have been fabulous accomplishments for Finsure to build up the business to this level in just five years and we are determined to keep growing,” he said.
“The ability of the company to increase its growth rate is a tribute to the talented and hardworking team at Finsure as well as our amazing broker partners.”
</body></html>

Mortgage aggregator Finsure debuts in BRW 2016 Fast 100

<html><body>
Melbourne-based firm Hayball has won four architectural awards at a ceremony in Berlin for their work on the South Melbourne Primary School.
The school will be Victoria’s first vertical school and involves the development of a new model for school and community housing 525 students.
The project includes an early learning centre, administration, multi-purpose community rooms and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose sports courts.
Richard Leonard, director of Hayball, said it's a great honour to be recognised on a global scale by the Education – Future Projects category at the WAF Awards.
"What we’re most proud of is the combination of a learning hub with a community centre for the local residents to enjoy, which embraces the connection between learning and recreation, students and neighbours," he said.
"As the first vertical school in the state, the project is both experimental, innovative and enthralling."
The school will be located in the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area and Leonard said it demonstrates forward planning of community infrastructure with the shared facilities forming a mutually supporting complex of excellent and wide ranging services for an emerging local community.
“In a precinct that is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal areas and expected to swell to 80,000 residents over the next 40 years, future proofing educational facilities is a critical factor in ensuring a suburb can evolve and behave according to the needs of its residents," he said.
"With this primary school which offers more than the traditional spaces for learning, we’re building a new model for education that caters to more than just students, but the broader community.”
</body></html>

Hayball wins international architecture awards for South Melbourne vertical school project

<html><body>
Leon and Sue Grinwald of designer gift packaging and partyware firm Hipp are selling their Armadale residence.
Located at <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/44-hampden-road-armadale-vic-3143-2013166774" target="_blank">44 Hampden Road</a>, the four-bedroom home was designed by Centrum Architects.
It was then renovated by Guilford Bell and Graham Fisher Architects, with interiors by Robin Mitchelson and gardens by Robert Boyle.
It is close to High Street shopping and cafes, and the train station.
Nicole Gleeson of Kay &amp; Burton South Yarra will take the property to auction on November 26.
</body></html>

Armadale home being sold by Hipp owners 

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240] 
&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
&nbsp; 
"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362566] 
&nbsp; 
"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362564] 
&nbsp; 
PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
&nbsp; 
"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291195] 
&nbsp; 
Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Joel Robinson

Abadeen, PERIFA, top out Putney Wharf harbourfront precinct

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=354809]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

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."

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8K0Bozug7A?si=Puwc6vx_ZO0qQZF8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357510]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=336455]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370263]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367468]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367810]

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.

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News