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National online property agency iBuyNew (IBN) is now trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) after its listed parent company Disruptive Investment Group Limited changed its name to iBuyNew Group Limited (ASX-IBN).   The name change was formalised at the Company’s annual general meeting.   The company also announced it has settled its share sale agreement to acquire 100 percent of Melbourne-based property research advisers Nyko Property Pty Ltd (Nyko).
It has delivered new property sales worth $18.1 million in the 2016 September quarter.   IBN, which specialises in off-the-plan property sales, recently launched a new house and land division, but is more active at the moment in apartment sales. IBN’s chief Mark Mendel informed shareholders that while the market for new apartments was well below its peak from the 2015-16 financial year, there has been no rise in buyer defaults. “(This) leads us to believe that the negative sentiment is mostly perception rather than reality at present,” Mr Mendel said.   “Whilst we believe the negative media reporting about the sector has likely contributed significantly to reduced sales, it is our assessment that buyers are mostly taking a wait-and-see approach until the uncertainty passes rather than leaving the market altogether.
"The fundamentals of Australian demographics have not changed in the last nine months.   “IBN is realistic about the current market dynamics.
"Our focus is ensuring that we have a robust business that continues delivering sales, and is well positioned to take advantage when the negative perception passes and stronger demand returns to the market."
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

iBuyNew now trading on ASX

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The Hawthorn home of the late Ian Roach has been sold by his widow Judy for $4.03 million.
It was where in 1985 Roach, then the chairman of the Melbourne Stock exchange, hosted six state stock exchange chairmen and their general managers in a powwow that led to the formation of the Australian Stock Exchange.
The dinner was catered by Maxim's.
The home was designed by architect John Wardle, whose signature use of timber, stone and marble are consistent throughout.
There's a secret door down to a large wine cellar. 
Marshall White selling agent Davide Lettieri secured the Kooyongkoot Road home sale.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
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John Wardle-designed Hawthorn home sold

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Flint Hill, the 27 hectare Woodend retreat owned by businessman Sir Roderick Carnegie since 1980, has been listed for November 24 auction.
The historic, <a href="https://kayburton.com.au/properties/view/343460-65-romsey-road-woodend-3442-sale" target="_blank">stately estate with woodland garden</a> has been listed through Kay &amp; Burton agent Gerald Delany in conjunction with John Keating, who assisted the Carnegie's secure the property after its 1979 auction.
On its initial listing in November last year more than $8 million was tipped, but now it will go to auction with a disclosed $7 million reserve price.
Sir Roderick Carnegie, who turns 84 later this month, was a prominent Australian businessman, primarily working in the coal industry, interrupted in the 1960s when he founded the Australian practice of McKinsey in Melbourne. In 1972 he joined CRA Limited (now Rio Tinto) as finance director serving as managing director from 1974 to 1986, and also as its chairman.
The estate was a grand vision beginning in the 1930's by the Brookes family with its original rhododendrons grown from seed from the Rothschilds at Exbury.
Their son John Brookes sold Flint Hill after compiling his gardening memoir, Flint Hill 1922-1955.
When the Carnegie's Rod and Carmen, bought Flint Hill in 1980 the property had become neglected overrun with blackberries.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section. 
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Flint Hill, Woodend retreat reserve at $7 million

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A one bedroom apartment at Perisher Valley is for sale at a reduced price of $199,000.
Located at <a href="https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/properties/1-20-candle-heath-road-perisher-valley-2624-new-south-wales" target="_blank">1/20 Candle Heath Road</a> it is situated on the ground floor in the Stables Apartments which is contemporary on-snow accommodation.
Each striking timber and granite chalet/apartment is fully self-contained with furnishings including CD/TV/DVD, full kitchen including dishwasher as well as full laundering facilities with many of the apartments featuring spa baths, underfloor heating and gas flame fire.
The property is offered through Raine and Horne agent Matthew Anstee.
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One bedroom apartment at Perisher Valley for sale

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Apollo Bay is ranked the location in Victoria where it is the slowest to sell a house, according to Investar’s latest market report.
The property investment firm states that an average house at Apollo Bay can expect to be on the market for 632 days before being sold.
This is followed by Mount Beauty at 507 days and Paynesville at 498 days.
<table style="height: 99px; width: 427px;" border="1" align="left"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>Suburb</td>
<td>Postcode</td>
<td>Dwelling type</td>
<td>Bedrooms</td>
<td>Days on market</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Apollo Bay</td>
<td>3233</td>
<td>House</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>632</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mount Beauty</td>
<td>3699</td>
<td>House</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>507</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paynesville</td>
<td>3880</td>
<td>House</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>498</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Corryong</td>
<td>3707</td>
<td>House</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>498</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ouyen</td>
<td>3490</td>
<td>House</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>496</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 
 
 
 
This list was produced using live on the market sales listing data.
High average days on market indicates that the market is turning over stock slowly which may indicate that demand is weaker than supply creating a stronger negotiation point for buyers.
Houses for sale at Apollo Bay at the median price of $515,000 include a three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-apollo+bay-119192663" target="_blank">15 Murray Square</a> (above) that is for sale for $515,000. It has been for sale since February 2015 when listed with $598,000 hopes. It recently went under offer.
Similarly a three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-apollo+bay-121006834" target="_blank">12 Outlook Road</a> (below) is for sale for $525,000.
<img src="/images/2016/10/07/12%20Outlook%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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Apollo Bay is Victoria's slowest selling property market: Investar

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Over the last quarter, Townsville’s retail market has seen a resurgence of local buyers (owner-occupiers and investors) in the sub $1.5 million entry level retail investment sector, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The property advisory firm says that the end of 2015 saw a flurry of larger retail sales driven by southern investors including Vincent Village for $16.7 million and Rising Sun Shopping Centre for $9.85 million. There were also a number of other retail properties in the $3 million to $5.5 million range.
The flow-on from this investment along with an increased level of market sentiment has seen the recent sale of several smaller strip commercial and suburban convenience centres.
These properties, some of which have been on the market for an extended period of time, have vacancies and low WALEs.
Local buyers including intending owner- occupiers and investors are potentially seeing the opportunity to realise upswing in this secondary retail product and that coupled with the affordability is making the potential for capital returns enticing.
This resurgence, possibly on the back of recent positive announcements including the Stadium and Waterfront precincts, is indicating a renewed level of confidence amongst local buyers in the market.
The Cairns retail market passed through the bottom of the cycle during the course of 2014 but the limited recovery thus far means that the retail property market remains relatively flat.
It must also be said that retail property sales in Cairns are sporadic, with most sales involving retail property being of mixed use retail and office buildings or tenant buyouts of single premises.
High exposure CBD retail space remains reasonably well occupied, but vacancies are more noticeable in the lesser exposure locations and CBD fringe.
Rents have remained generally stable, showing ranges of $600 to $800 per square metre per annum for prime CBD space and $1,000 to $1,500 per square metre per annum in key tourist precincts such as the Cairns Esplanade.
Blue chip retail located within the main Esplanade tourist strip and CBD show reasonably low vacancies, though there is also limited demand from new businesses.
There remains good investor demand for well leased properties which rarely come onto the market.
There have been no retail property sales of note thus far during 2016, however the Bellview Hotel, which represents a prime hotel and retail redevelopment site on the Cairns Esplanade with significant holding income, has been recently placed on the market.
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Local buyers back Townsville's retail market: HTW

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The mid-north coast of NSW is seeing an increase in dual occupancy style developments, according to Herron Todd White’s (HTW) latest market report.
The property advisory firm states that they have noticed a recent significant increase in dual occupancy style developments.
Its become very popular with the small investor predominantly in the new and developing residential areas, particularly within Port Macquarie around the new University and Base Hospital, the report stated.
Investors are generally purchasing off the plan within these new subdivisions and constructing a variety of styles of development.
These range from two attached villa style properties, two attached townhouse style properties or a single dwelling with attached (or detached) granny flat.
These developments are permitted by most councils as part of the original development application.
The price range for this style of development is from about $550,000 to $750,000 depending on the style, size and quality of the construction.
The initial outlay and good rental returns resulting in a good yield are the major benefits of this type of development.
Other fringe benefits include lower stamp duty and higher tax depreciation offsets compared to, for example, buying two older investment properties.
"Another positive feature of these types of properties are that most are able to be strata titled in the future if required," the report said.
"This provides the developer flexibility with their investment, allowing them to sell off one and reduce the mortgage and enjoy the return from the other or sell both off generally for a healthy profit."
The HTW report noted another small project that is becoming more popular with the mum and dad developer is the purchase of an existing dwelling on a larger than average lot within the major towns in the region, and then adding a granny flat (under 60 square metres) to the rear.
"This has the great appeal of a significant return on investment for the flat, with the starting price for flat construction from $100,000 and likely rental in excess of $250 per week," the report stated.
"When this rental is combined with the rental on the original dwelling it can make for a great yielding and generally positively geared investment property.
"We have also noticed an increase in small to medium villa and townhouse developments (four to 10 plus units) and consider that these are best left to developers with experience in these types of developments and not novices, because if these products are not tailored to the specific market or the sales rates are not as expected, there can be expensive holding costs that can erode profits and cause financial pressure on those without extensive cash reserves to call on."
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Dual occupancy style developments increasing in NSW's mid-north coast: HTW

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The buyers agency Secret Agent has updated its price per square metre index for secondary apartments in inner Melbourne.
After adding 406 apartment sales from the last quarter, its index now consists of 1276 apartments sold between 1st January 2016 to 30th September 2016.
The updated average square metre rate for apartments in inner Melbourne is $8,687 per square metre.
The agency noted the figure is beginning to stabilise since its last two reports ($8,679 per square metre in Q2 and $8,767 per square metre in Q1), the report stated.
<a href="/images/2016/11/08/Table%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/08/Table%201.jpg" alt="">
Overall, the three most expensive suburbs to purchase an apartment are Albert Park ($13,276 per square metre), East Melbourne ($11,914 per square metre) and Middle Park ($10,720 per square metre).
These areas have consistently topped the index, it advised.
The least expensive apartments per square metre can be found in Travancore ($6,563 per square metre), Kensington ($6,869 per square metre) and Flemington ($7,079 per square metre).
A few things can be observed when considering apartments with a larger accommodation. In some suburbs, the increase in number of bedrooms also leads to an increase in price per square metre, as seen in the CBD region, Carlton, Collingwood, Clifton Hill and South Yarra.
Secret Agent noted they can see that most of the inner north and inner west suburbs tend to have decreasing price per square metre rates as apartments grow in accommodation size.
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Average inner Melbourne apartments price sits at $8,687 per square metre

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October has been one of the strongest months the inner Melbourne property market has seen all year, according to Secret Agent’s latest bulletin report.
It may be an indicator for a strong finish to the end of 2016.
"However, it may also just be a short term fluctuation. Only time will tell," the report stated.
Although, house prices this quarter compared to last are down about 2%, this shows a trend reversal and again highlights the importance of not misinterpreting short-term changes as indicators (noise versus signal), the report argues.
Listings are also up for all property types this month, which (coinciding with higher sale prices) again highlights that demand for Melbourne property is still strong.
Townhouses in inner Melbourne continue to hover around a median of $900,000 and remain well above house prices per square metre: $8,118 compared to $6,852 for houses.
However, in terms of value for money, townhouses almost always have a higher house-to-land ratio, making each square metre more valuable.
“A backyard is probably one of the most valuable assets to possess in inner Melbourne at the moment,” the report advised.
Comparing real (inflation adjusted) house and townhouse prices this month to 12 months ago, prices in all inner regions are well above their previous levels.
Last rolling quarter, median apartment prices decreased by 1.7%.
Again, October has pushed the trend in the other direction; this rolling quarter, apartment prices in the inner suburbs have stabilised (unchanged over the past three months).
Listings are up by over 5%, which is a substantial increase in the otherwise rather stable supply of apartments.
Only Collingwood apartments have managed three consecutive rolling quarters of price increases, while South Melbourne, Brunswick East, Parkville and Prahran have all experienced two or more consecutive rolling quarters of price declines.
CBD apartments in October reached their highest sale prices in real terms so far this year, the report noted.
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October a strong month for inner Melbourne: Secret Agent

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Spring time sees more property settlements and transactions across Australia than any other season, according to leading conveyancing technology experts, GlobalX.
GlobalX CEO Peter Maloney said from September to November the grass is greener, gardens are in full bloom and the weather is comfortably warm, making for optimal house selling conditions.
<a href="/images/2016/11/08/image006.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/08/image006.png" alt="">
Maloney said spring sales were often driven by the desire for a new beginning, with individuals, couples and families preferring to move before the end of the year.
“Buyers who have children prefer to get settled ahead of the new school year, and a spring sale means relocation can take place near or over the holiday period, allowing ample time for unpacking,” he said.
“Similarly, investment properties can be renovated in time for the January-February period, which sees many people searching for rental properties before universities and training institutions begin the academic year.”
This year’s spring sales are off to a strong start, with auction clearance rates over the past nine weeks above 75%, according to CoreLogic’s November market report.
“That puts them at their strongest level in more than a year and only marginally under a five-year high,” Maloney said.
Over the past 12 months, combined capital city home values have increased by 7.5% which is trending up from a recent low of 6.1% at the end of July.
Nationally, capital city home values rose by 9.1% over the first 10 months of 2016, with only two cities, Perth and Darwin, recording falling values over the past quarter.
Annually, home value increases have been strongest in Sydney (10.6%), Melbourne (9.1%) and Canberra (7.9%), Hobart (5%), Adelaide (2.5%) and Brisbane (4.1%), while falls were recorded in Perth (down 3.7%) and Darwin (down 3.8%).
“It’s also worth noting that the average level of discount (to a property’s listed or reserve price) on homes has eased from 6.1% a year ago to 5.8%, so home sellers are coming away with more cash from their sales,” Maloney said.
“It is the same for unit owners, with the average discount reducing slightly from 6.1% a year ago to now 5.5%.”
In a market where Australian residential real estate is worth around $6.7 trillion, six out of every 10 new home listings are currently located in capital cities. However, while the nation’s total mortgage debt of $1.59 trillion represents around 23% of the value of residential real estate; just over half the average Australian’s household’s wealth is invested in housing (51.5%).
“To put the nation’s accumulated mortgage debt into context, the total value of Australia’s residential real estate market is more than three times the funds held in the nation’s superannuation accounts, and just under four times the amount held in Australian listed stocks,” Maloney said.
In the past year, more than 451,000 properties changed hands, with the average house price sitting at $600,000 nationally and the average unit price at $510,000.
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Spring property selling season off to a strong start

<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.

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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.

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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.

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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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