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North Sydney and Hornsby takes the top spot among Sydney’s region with the highest weekend clearance rate, according to CoreLogic’s latest report.
The data firm says that of the 156 auctions known to CoreLogic 89% resulted in a successful outcome.
This is followed by the Northern Beaches with 88% and the City and Inner South with 87%.
<a href="/images/2016/11/10/Sydney%20sub%20regions.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/10/Sydney%20sub%20regions.jpg" alt="">
The region with the lowest auction clearance rate was the South West where only 47% of the 48 auctions known to CoreLogic were sold.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

North Sydney and Hornsby ranks as Sydney's best auction hotspot: CoreLogic

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Brisbane listings have surge in late spring to almost 21,000 current listings, according to CoreLogic. 
<a href="/images/2016/11/10/Number%20of%20homes%20for%20sale.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/10/Number%20of%20homes%20for%20sale.jpg" alt="">
Over the past four weeks, there were 50,128 newly advertised properties added to the market nationally which was 2.3% lower than a year ago.
However, new listings are at their highest level since late February of this year.
There were 241,438 total property listings over the past four weeks which was the highest number of total listings since the beginning of May this year.
New listings are currently lower than they were a year ago in most cities, the exceptions are Brisbane (+11.4%), Perth (+10.0%) and Canberra (+5.7%).
New listings are substantially lower over the year in Sydney, Hobart and Darwin.
Total advertised properties for sale are lower than a year ago in Sydney(-10.1%), Melbourne (-1.0%), Hobart (-33.1%) and Canberra (-16.4%) and higher elsewhere.
Brisbane (+14.0%) and Perth (+18.5%) are seeing a substantially higher number of total properties available for sale relative to last year.
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Brisbane listings surge into late spring: Corelogic

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Owner occupier finance approvals came in better than expected for September, with the detail a little softer but separate figures on the value of investor finance loans on the strong side.
The number of owner occupier approvals rose 1.6%, well above the market expectations of a 1.6% fall. Industry data on bank loans had been soft in the month.
The gain was led by strong refi activity – ex refi loans were up just 0.5% and down in value terms (–0.8%mth) implying average loan size was quite a bit smaller.
Other detail showed a flat month for construction-related lending.
By state, there were solid gains for total owner occupier loans in NSW, Vic, Qld and SA with a decline in WA.
The 4.6% rise in the value of loans to investors is notable as it means the total value of housing finance loans is up in the month with a clear firming since the recent low in April – that in turn suggests other data pointing to a firming in housing market conditions is genuine and that the bulk of the lift is coming from domestic investor activity. Details 
 Owner–occupiers (no.)   1.6% mth, –3.7%yr    – ex-financing (no.)       0.5% mth, –7.8%yr                      
Construction of dwellings (no.)      –0.8% mth, –5.2%yr       Purchase of newly built dwellings (no.)   5.9%mth, 5.7%yr                            
Value of loans:             
Owner-occupiers ($bn)   0.9%mth, –5.4%yr     Investors ($bn)      4.6% mth, 9.6%yr           Total ($bn)              2.3% mth, –0.2%yr         Total ex refi ($bn)   1.8% mth, –1%yr      
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Owner occupier finance approvals better than expected in September: Westpac's Matthew Hassan

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DEXUS Property Group (DEXUS) today announced that it has exchanged contracts to acquire The Mill, 41-43 Bourke Road, Alexandria, NSW for $110.2 million.
The Mill is a 1.9 hectare mixed use multi-tenanted property located on the corner of Bourke Road and Huntley Street in Alexandria, NSW.
Located 15 minutes from the Sydney CBD, one kilometer from Green Square railway station and 10 minutes from Sydney Airport the property comprises a mix of 10 modern and refurbished historic buildings.
In total it provides 17,579 sqm of warehouse style office, retail spaces and car parking.
The tenancy profile consists of a diverse range of users and covenants such as BlueScope Steel, Genesis HealthCare, Seafolly, Bendon, Under Armour, Mavi, carsales.com.au and The Grounds of Alexandria.
The Grounds of Alexandria is a popular food &amp; beverage operator offering a cafe, bar, restaurant and sustainable garden.
In July the Grounds of Alexandria was listed for sale with hopes of $100 million.
It attracts 15,000-20,000 visitors each week and providing a popular amenity for the occupiers and local community.
The property is 83% occupied with a weighted average lease expiry of circa five years. Settlement is expected in January 2017.
Ross Du Vernet, the Dexus chief investment officer said The Mill was well positioned to benefit from a combination of our active management of under-utilised space.
"And we expect to achieve rental growth, driven by withdrawals of nearby existing traditional office and warehouse properties.”
The complex was put up for sale by Goldman Sachs.
It was the brainchild of developer Albert Bertini, then fell into the hands of lender Suncorp.
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DEXUS acquires The Mill, Alexandria for $110 million

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An offshore purchaser has paid $13 million for an approved townhouse development site in Lindfield.
Setting a new record for Sydney’s Ku-Ring Gai council area, the sale came after 180 enquiries and 24 offers to CBRE's Danny Shi and Aaron McLean.
Based on the approval for 16, three-bedroom townhouses, the sale price translates to a record rate of $812,500 per townhouse site.
“There is still huge demand for townhouse development sites on Sydney’s north shore, particularly from offshore buyers,” Mr Shi said, adding that 20 of the 24 offers had been from Chinese groups.
“Developers perceive townhouses to be lower risk than apartment product, particularly in markets such as Lindfield, which have low levels of new supply.”
Situated at 18 – 20 Bent Street, the site has a total area of 2,719sqm and presently accommodates two residential dwellings.
Mr Shi said there have been limited quality townhouse offerings in recent times, despite the underlying demographics supporting this type of product.
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Offshore $13 million Lindfield townhouse development site sets new record

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Blue Sky Private Real Estate has commenced construction on two new student accommodation sites in Melbourne and Adelaide.
It will boost its student accommodation pipeline to more than 3,300 beds as part of its joint venture with global investor Goldman Sachs.
The new sites are due to open in early 2018.
The joint venture’s target is for a portfolio of 5,000 to 10,000 beds, representing $1.5 billion in assets under management, over the next few years.
Blue Sky’s first student accommodation facility (286 beds in Regent St, Brisbane) opened its doors in July this year.
A second 725-bed facility on Merivale Street, Brisbane is set to be fully operational in February 2017.
Blue Sky is drawing on Goldman Sachs’ expertise owning and operating more than 23,000 beds in the UK.
The sites for the Melbourne and Adelaide facilities are located in both cities’ education precincts.
The 783-bed Melbourne facility (above) is within walking distance of RMIT, the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Central train station.
The 428-bed Adelaide facility (below) in the western CBD will service students of the University of South Australia and University of Adelaide.
<img src="/images/2016/11/10/Blue%20Sky%20Student%20accommodation%20Waymouth%20St%20Adelaide.jpg" alt="">
Education is now Australia’s third largest export industry, behind iron ore and coal, and student accommodation in Australia is attracting significant international attention with US, Chinese, European and South African investors coming into the market.
More than 300,000 overseas students choose to study in Australia with growth likely to accelerate following the introduction of the Government’s simplified visa program, which came into effect three months ago.
Blue Sky's Nick Singleton was previously the finance director of London-based International Public Partnerships, a FTSE 250 infrastructure group, to assist in taking the group further into the social real estate and infrastructure space.
Blue Sky Private Real Estate is a division of ASX 300 listed Blue Sky Alternative Investments Limited.
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Expansionary Blue Sky student accommodation sites under construction

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Portfolio deals worth US$13.0 billion underpinned income-producing commercial real estate investment in Asia Pacific, where volumes were little changed in the third quarter of 2016 (Q3 ‘16) compared to a year earlier.
Analysis by Real Capital Analytics (RCA) revealed that these large transactions masked a generalised slowdown across the region caused by investor caution and a mismatch in pricing expectations between buyers and vendors.
Completed sales of properties in the region, excluding development sites, totalled US$30.4 billion in Q3 ‘16, 1.1% weaker than the same period a year earlier, according to RCA data.
The region saw fewer active buyers and deals completed in July through September, with portfolio deals accounting for 43% of total investment volumes.
For the first nine months of the year, investment declined 18% year-on-year (YoY) to US$84.3 billion.
Petra Blazkova, RCA’s Senior Director of Analytics for Asia Pacific, said high asset prices as well as economic, financial and political concerns, that caused a slowdown in activity in the first half of the year, continued to impact investment decisions in the Asia Pacific region.
"China, however, bucked the trend as it outperformed all other markets in the region during Q3 ’16, overtaking Australia as the second most active market by transaction volume.”
Offices were the best performing sector in Q3 ’16. It was the most active sector in eight of the region’s leading cities - Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney, Shanghai, Beijing and Melbourne. The average transaction size was US$80.0 million, or 2 percent more than in Q2 ‘16, underscoring investors’ preference for core, secure income-producing assets.
Prices, however, remained broadly unchanged at record highs, except in Australia, where yields continued to compress.
<a href="/images/2016/11/08/Chart%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/08/Chart%201.jpg" alt="">
In Mainland China, there were US$10.0 billion in direct real estate transactions recorded in Q3 ‘16, representing 28 percent YoY growth.
While this increase was in part due to the completion of a number of mega portfolio deals during the quarter, underlying appetite for Mainland China real estate remains robust.
In Hong Kong, activity continued to be boosted by Mainland Chinese investors’ purchases, based on confidence fuelled by relatively limited new supply and low vacancy rates.
Total transaction volume in Hong Kong reached US$2.8 billion in Q3 ‘16.
Together with Mainland China, Hong Kong is the only other market in the region currently performing above their long-term volume averages.
In Australia, market sentiment was positive, supported by relatively stable volumes of US$5.1 billion, which while down 13 percent YoY, is still around its long-term average.
Prices continued to trend upwards, with yields compressing across all asset classes and geographies.
Analysis by RCA revealed that the premium to Australian government bond yields remained wide in historical terms, indicating that asset prices could still rise further.
In Singapore, overall volumes grew by 54 percent YoY on large but limited acquisitions primarily within the office sector, notably the sale of a stake in Capital Square by Keppel Land to ARA Asset Management.
In South Korea, where 90 percent of investors are domestic, investment volumes reached US$2.8 billion in Q3 ‘16, more than twice the level from a year ago.
“South Korean investors have been very active both at home and internationally. Interestingly, South Korean institutions were Asia Pacific’s most prolific investors outside the region, making US$4.8 billion in purchases year-to-date. This pattern is likely to continue with US$2.8 billion worth of additional purchases still pending according to our calculations,” Blazkova from RCA added.
In Japan, volumes fell 27 percent YoY to US$6.8 billion on a lack of suitable stock and a reluctance by buyers to pay current prices.
Its record high asset prices, a strong yen and competition from domestic real estate investment trusts (J-REITs) are leading to what could be a structural shift, as international investors turned net sellers there for the first time in six years, RCA data showed.
GE Capital and Fortress were among the notable international institutions to have disposed of assets in Japan during Q3 ’16.
In the region, cross-border transactions continued to increase in importance for the quarter, accounting for one-third or US$11.5 billion of the value of all transactions in the region in Q3 ’16.
However, proportionally this was mainly due to domestic investors pulling back rather than a strong expansion of capital deployment across borders.
For the third year in a row, investments by foreign investors into Asia Pacific declined, standing at less than US$10 billion currently compared to the peak of US$38 billion in 2007. Asian investors have been stepping in to fill the gap.
Historically, Singapore capital has been the most nimble and aggressive in investing across the Asia Pacific region.
It remains an important source of capital, but over the last nine months Chinese and Hong Kong investors have become the most dominant foreign source of capital within the region.
So far this year, Chinese investors have purchased US$3.9 billion worth of assets in Hong Kong and made US$1.5 billion worth of investments in Australian property.
RCA’s Blazkova concluded that uncertainty about economic growth, deflationary pressures and prospects for interest rates, combined with geopolitical risks, are weighing on investor sentiment.
"While the low interest rate environment militates for real estate investment, few investors are prepared to pay asking prices for a dwindling number of assets available in the market as owners adopt a buy-and-hold strategy.
"Nonetheless, the region continues to present good opportunities and we can expect creative approaches especially from foreign investors that wish to invest in the Asia Pacific region.”
The Asia Pacific Capital Trends report also revealed:
• The single largest property sale in Q3 ’16 was the US$658.7 million sale of a stake in Jinqiao Life Hub to Chongbang Development by Keppel Land.
• The largest portfolio transaction was CITIC’s US$4.7 billion (RMB 31.6 billion) residential assets sale to China Overseas L&amp;I.
• Ten cities accounted for 65 percent of overall activity for the first nine months of 2016, as investors continued to focus on city or urban area performance rather than countries.
• New institutional capital is being led by Chinese insurance companies, particularly China Life, Anbang and Ping An, with cumulative domestic and international investments of more than US$10 billion each since early 2012.
• Chinese developers continued to increase their land bank, acquiring US$226.9 billion in development sites over the first nine months of the year. Average development site prices have increased by 54 percent YoY in Q3 ’16, RCA data shows.
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Asia Pacific commercial property investment stabilise in Q3 with portfolio deals masking slowdown on pricing stand-off

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Rosebery Properties and Filetron, a Cottle family company, are selling three separate lots of land with a value of over $100 million in Rosebery.
It is part of an ongoing rapid transformation from industrial to residential.
Located at 12-40 Rosebery Avenue and 108 Dalmeny Avenue, Rosebery, the site consists of a large area of 15,215sqm with existing industrial and commercial buildings equating to 11,722.80sqm generating an existing rental income in excess of $2,000,000 + GST.
The site has a huge dual frontage in excess of 170 metres to both Rosebery Avenue and Dalmeny Avenue and is located within one of Sydney’s strongest new apartment suburbs, with a potential Gross Floor Area of 32,864.40sqm and a height limit of 29 metres.
Agents Michael Crombie and Trent Gallagher of Colliers International have the offering. 
Michael Crombie said it was one of the best sites to come onto the market in 2016.
"It has great scale, over multiple titles, quality buildings and solid income, allowing staging of the development.
“Well known developers have focused heavily on the Rosebery precinct, including Meriton, Mirvac, Stockland, Top Place, LivStyle &amp; JQZ as Rosebery provides a lifestyle choice for the discerning investor or occupier, with so many new trendy eateries within the precinct."
Rates being achieved in nearby residential development projects such as “Symphony” by Meriton a 215 unit brand new development on Epsom Road, Rosebery due for completion mid 2017 are as high as $19,000 per square metre.
Offers close December 6.
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$100 million price tag for Rosebery lots

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Sydney’s rental vacancy trend is steady, according to Herron Todd White’s latest market report.
The property advisory firm states that the rental vacancy situation is that of a balanced market while demand for new houses are fair which is consistent with a steady trend in new house construction due to increasing volume of house sales.
<a href="/images/2016/11/04/Capital%20city%20houses.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/04/Capital%20city%20houses.jpg" alt="">
The Sydney property market is rising with new properties occasionally sold at prices exceeding their potential resale value.
Other balanced markets include Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra.
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Sydney's balanced rental vacancy: HTW

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Another Melburnian, businesswoman Penelope Maclagan has emerged as a prestige Byron Bay buyer.
She's behind the $5.6 million purchase of Seregenti on the exclusive Lighthouse Road.
It was sold by Unique Estates Ruth Gotterson and Nicolette van Wijngaarden in conjunction with Byron Bay McGrath's Ian Daniels and Nick Dunn
She bought the four bedroom home overlooking the ocean in August for the joint biggest sale in coastal suburb this year.
Set on 713 sqm, the luxury home features an abundance of terraces and a salt water swimming pool with poolside accommodation.
Penelope co-founded in software company Computershare, ranked among the 10 richest Australian business woman.
Maclagan has listed her Byron Bay apartment with a price guide of $1.6 million to $1.65 million through Byron Bay McGrath.
Last year spa king Eddie Phillips sold on Lighthouse Road for $6.3 million to Melbourne based businessman Mark Ruff.
The home, Villa Natasha Bonita, has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.
Earlier this year Real Estate of Distinction agent Janis Perkins sold Wattai at Watego's a renovation by Grand Designs host Peter Maddison.
The acclaimed architect spent two years renovating the luxury Byron Bay Beach house, which sold for $5.6 million to a relative local.
It was sold by Melbourne property developer Allan Sinclair, the father of Sydney Swans footballer Callum Sinclair.
The most striking feature of the four bedroom home is the 183 sqm rooftop terrace complete with 10 person spa.
In 2011 Sussan fashion chain executive chairwoman Naomi Milgrom, usually dubbed Victoria's richest woman expanded her Byron Bay holdings. She spent $6.2 million to buy the 1200-square-metre property adjacent to her $4.75 million acquisition in 2007. It took her hillside holding to 2130 square metres.
Milgrom's 2007 purchase was from the Melbourne-based Asciano boss Mark Rowsthorn, who had bought the property in 2002 for $2.825 million from John Weller, the former Melbourne solicitor who made international news when he won the first case of child maintenance for a man in the 1970s.
Rowsthorn upgraded to Marine Parade, Wategos, where he paid $6.2 million in late 2006.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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More Melburnians buy the best in Byron Bay 

<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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Staff reporter

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