<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

<img alt="iCIRT" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcbb59af-3d5a-43aa-b28e-a66e55a83568" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Announcement.png?VersionId=6OD8r.v.oucEF01BWxR85urzoD9seQ9e" />

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

<img alt="mirvac" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1c11c691-e8cd-46c3-88fd-6c8d614e8357" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mirvac.png?VersionId=ZqDqNL36WJOOCmNMmmO93Q2GTrFOBomz" />Mirvac is a 5 Gold Star iCIRT rated developer, the highest possible rating a developer can get: Harbourside by Mirvac

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

<img alt="iCIRT" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="958e1497-8151-4689-aadc-baf59f6e6122" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.png?VersionId=7KyVcwSo4vCLXBYBdq382e3Si.R.9PWQ" />

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buying off-the-plan in Melbourne? How independent iCIRT ratings are set to change Victorian property

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A three bedroom one bathroom Dallas, Victoria house is set to go under the mortgagee auction hammer June 8.
The previously updated rendered brick home comes with an indicative price guide of $440,000 - $480,000.
Andrew Butler and Anthony Monteleone of Brad Teal hold the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-dallas-131170918" target="_blank">13 King Street</a>, the property is described as "ideal for homebuyers looking to enter the market, renovate/extend, rebuild or redevelop (STCA)".
Set on 642 sqm, it features an undercover outdoor area and backyard as well as a one car lockup garage.
Located within a short drive from Dallas and Broadmeadows Shopping Centres, Ilim College, primary schools, buses and Hume Highway, the home features an open plan layout.
Last sold in 2005 the home transacted for $180,000. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/dallas-vic-3047">Dallas</a> is $487,500 according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as 7.5%. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Dallas, Victoria home set for mortgagee auction hammer

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Weekend sales across the nation pointed to a return of confidence in the market after weeks of jitters leading to the federal election.
Brisbane's top sale, which fetched $1.155 million, was Bill's-hill Cottage, which dates back to the 1880s.
With three owners since it was built, the nine-room abound with original fixtures meticulously restored by the current owners.
"Behind the charming, traditional facade you will find a generously proportioned home with carefully considered modernised areas such as the family-sized kitchen and tiled bathrooms, all designed with a nod to the house's rich heritage," the marketing said.
The original hoop pine floorboards had been sanded and finished with Tung oil at the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://remaxriverside.com.au/20156979" target="_blank">9 Macartney Street, Paddington offering</a> (top).
The home came with original fretwork, locks, switches and ironmongery.
A bound history book on the property was presented to the new custodians of Bill's-hill Cottage.
There is scope to build underneath and add a swimming pool to the rear garden on the 460 sqm block, "all without fear of over-capitalising," its RE/MAX Riverside selling agent Chris White said. 
White had 82 pre-auction inspections over the five week marketing campaign.
<div>There were six registered bidders - including three buyers' agents, one of whom secured the property on behalf of clients.</div>
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<div>Some 40 bids were taken after the 20 minute auction started at $880,000.</div>
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Melbourne's top sale was $4,515,000 in Clifton Hill when <a href="http://www.collinssimms.com.au/?/property/3345034/6-south-terrace-clifton-hill-vic-3068" target="_blank">Grace Darling, a grand 1892 terrace</a> (below) was sold through Collin Simms Inner North agents Antony Woodley and Antony Harbor.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/27/Clifton.jpg" alt="">
The five bedroom, three bathroom home at 6 South Terrace had been renovated and extended by its architect/owner Damien Bonnice.
The three level home with parkland and city views sits on 435sqm with an arcaded Italianate facade.
The pre-auction price guidance was $3.9 million to $4.25 million.
It last sold at $450,000 in 1993.
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There were 2,041 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities after the previous week saw volumes drop to 930, likely due to the federal election.
This time last year, volumes were higher with 2,297 auctions held, according to CoreLogic.
Preliminary results show a national clearance rate of 62.6 per cent across the combined capital cities.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/27/Auctions-May27.jpg" alt="">
 
Last week’s final clearance rate came in at 55.2 per cent, the highest clearance rate we have seen since September last year/
"It’s possible that this week’s final clearance rate may top that as remaining results roll in," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan said.
Over the same week last year the final clearance rate was recorded at 56.2 per cent.
"Clearance rates have bounced back and overall the results are consistent with the narrative that confidence is returning to the market after the Federal Election result," Brogan noted.
"Stimulatory factors include the continuity in negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions for investors, potential changes to the APRA home loan serviceability buffer and the prospect of imminent reductions in interest rates," he said. 
In Melbourne, a preliminary auction clearance rate of 62.9 per cent was recorded across 971 auctions, while the prior weekend saw 432 auctions returning a final clearance rate of 60.7 per cent.
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This time last year, 1,132 auctions were held across the city, returning a clearance rate of 59 per cent.
The nation's top weekend sale was in pricey Bellevue Hill (below).
The $5.625 million sale was a six bedroom home on 658 sqm at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/eastern-suburbs/bellevue-hill/394023" target="_blank">12 Arthur Street through McGrath</a>.
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It last sold at $5.15 million in September 2015.
There were 697 auctions held in Sydney returning a preliminary clearance rate of 69.9 per cent.
 In comparison, there were just 276 auctions held over the previous week returning a final clearance rate of 56.5 per cent. 
"There is a chance that this week’s final clearance rate may just be able to hold above 60 per cent after Sydney has seen the final clearance rate sit above 55 per cent for the last three weeks," Brogan said.
There was a big number of sold before results in Sydney, totalling 140 properties including Purplebricks securing a $468,000 sale for the two bedroom 1/52 Monomeeth Street, Bexley.
 One year ago, 814 auctions were held across Sydney and the clearance rate came in at 56.1 per cent.
Looking at the smaller auction markets, auction volumes increased week-on-week across all capital cities. 
Preliminary results show that clearance rates were down slightly over the week in Brisbane, while all other cities saw an increase week-on-week.
The cheapest sale was $135,000 in Adelaide in a mortgagee sale through Ray White.
The three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://raywhitecraigmore.com.au/properties/residential-for-sale/sa/elizabeth-east-5112/house/2101904" target="_blank">4 Benham St, Elizabeth East</a> had sold at $150,000 in 2009 when offloaded by the SA Housing Trust.
It was marketed as a maisonette on 653 sqm.
It came with solar panels and there were security window roller shutters on all main windows.
 
 
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<table style="width: 605px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"><tbody>
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<td colspan="2">
Most expensive
</td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
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<tr id="x_rpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_0">
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_0" align="left">Sydney</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_0" colspan="2">12 Arthur St, Bellevue Hill NSW 2023, 6 br House, McGrath - Coogee</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_0">$5,625,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_1">
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_1" align="left">Melbourne</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_1" colspan="2">6 South Tce, Clifton Hill VIC 3068, 5 br House, Collins Simms</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_1">$4,515,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_2">
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_2" align="left">Adelaide</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_2" colspan="2">69 Penfold Rd, Rosslyn Park SA 5072, 7 br House, T&amp;T SA</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_2">$1,600,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_3">
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_3" align="left">Brisbane</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_3" colspan="2">9 Macartney St, Paddington QLD 4064, 3 br House, REMAX First Choice Riverside</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_3">$1,155,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_4">
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_4" align="left">Canberra</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_4" colspan="2">13 Clarke St, Yarralumla ACT 2600, 4 br House, Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Manuka</td>
<td id="x_rpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_4">$1,610,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
Most affordable
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<td colspan="2"> </td>
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<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_0" align="left">Sydney</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_0" colspan="2">20/68 Gould St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, 0 br Studio, LITTLE Real Estate New South Wales</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_0">$377,500</td>
</tr>
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<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_1" align="left">Melbourne</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_1" colspan="2">12/10 Payne St, Caulfield North VIC 3161, 1 br Unit, McGrath Sandringham</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_1">$286,000</td>
</tr>
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<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_2" align="left">Adelaide</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_2" colspan="2">4 Benham St, Elizabeth East SA 5112, 3 br House, RW Craigmore</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_2">$135,000</td>
</tr>
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<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_3" align="left">Brisbane</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_3" colspan="2">18 Beattie St, Kallangur QLD 4503, 3 br House, RW Samford</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_3">$265,600</td>
</tr>
<tr id="x_rpMostAffordable_trMostAffordableRow_4">
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_4" align="left">Canberra</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_4" colspan="2">12 Sharwood Cr, Evatt ACT 2617, 4 br House, Luton Properties Tuggeranong CRE</td>
<td id="x_rpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_4">$480,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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Confidence returns to auction market following election result

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GUEST OBSERVATION 
Australia is one of the most urbanised nations in the world, and our ongoing population growth continues to produce new suburbs on city fringes across the continent. These new suburbs, and the processes that form them, are often <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/homes-in-new-suburbs-four-years-away-but-services-to-take-much-longer-20190215-p50y46" target="_blank">contentious</a>.
And that’s not just because of vexed issues of sprawl, transport and infrastructure provision. One of the most common criticisms of new and outer suburbs is that they are <a href="https://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2011/09/18/why-do-outer-suburban-streets-look-so-bland/" target="_blank">bland</a>, soulless, cookie-cutter developments that lack culture and a sense of place.
This problem occurs when these suburbs are built as though on a blank slate, with little thought given to engaging with existing stories of landscape and how new stories might be formed. Place itself is layered through stories, time, material and experiences. This idea of layering provides important clues for new developments.
My research in the Melbourne suburb of Point Cook shows the importance of listening to cues in the existing landscape. This enables the design and governance of new developments to provide opportunities for grassroots <a href="https://www.pps.org/article/what-is-placemaking" target="_blank">placemaking</a>. Communities can then infuse places with new layers of meaning, creating a sense of ownership and stewardship.
As part of <a href="https://unimelb.placeagency.org.au/2019/03/25/place-week-vic-2019-12th-18th-may/" target="_blank">Place Week Vic</a>, researchers and practitioners will be discussing the lessons of places like Point Cook for outer suburbs and new developments.
The Point Cook story
While rapid population growth in <a href="https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/point-cook" target="_blank">Point Cook</a> began in the 21st century, the area has long featured wetlands that are important to migratory birds from around the world. It is also the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/point-cook" target="_blank">RAAF</a>.
<a href="https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/SSC22074?opendocument" target="_blank">Point Cook’s growth</a> is defined by detached housing, remarkable cultural diversity, many young families, work commutes, and limited public transport infrastructure.
Parts of Point Cook’s suburban fabric draw on layers of history and landscape by including wetlands that manage stormwater, provide bird habitat, and promote a distinctive character.
Unlike many suburbs, Point Cook has a main-street-style town centre with shops fronting footpaths. This provides the frame for the type of meeting place so vital yet often lacking in outer suburbs. But it took local intervention to make this place hum.
A park pops up
Over the past two summers, a street block has been closed off to traffic to form a highly popular, grassroots-led <a href="https://www.pointcookpopuppark.com.au/" target="_blank">pop-up park</a>. The space has been full of colour and activity throughout the day with flexible seating, beanbags, and a loose program of community-led events such as workshops, film screenings, and arts activities.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/274017/original/file-20190513-183080-1i9kuwj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/274017/original/file-20190513-183080-1i9kuwj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
The Point Cook pop-up park was designed to be a colourful, inviting space. Matt Novacevski, Author provided
One cannot help but notice the informal interactions and moments the park prompts. Families stop off with full trolleys of shopping to rest and people-watch. Children play in brightly painted cubby houses along the edge of the park. And people of all ages and backgrounds sit and talk.
What made the park tick?
The design approach to the park has involved the community in making a sociable, flexible and colourful space with robust temporary infrastructure.
Children and families move seats and beanbags around the space, while local community groups and volunteer gardeners have taken charge of painting, decorating and caring for planter boxes along the edges of the park. These elements create a welcoming sense of informality, comfort and stewardship.
Importantly, activity from the edges of the park bleeds into the surrounds, and vice versa. Restaurant seating along the footpaths that front the park is generally well used, and people value the place as a break from the rhythms and routines that define suburban life.
The park can be a place to relax, or somewhere more intense. During the Indian Holi festival, dance, dress and dye dominated as an evocative ritual was publicly shared, with the implicit invitation for all to get involved.
These interactions of people, identities and place coalesce into a stronger local sense of shared identity.
Park co-founder Sara Mitchell, a Point Cook resident for the best part of a decade, describes the design approach as providing a frame for the community to “colour in”. This metaphor describes the importance of leaving openings within formal design elements. This allows residents to make and interpret place in ways that form new individual and collective bonds.
Lessons for new suburbs
Point Cook’s pop-up park demonstrates the power of placemaking that considers the layered nature of place, highlights local assets and fosters the ability of place to bring people together.
These types of activities are more likely to prosper when new suburbs are designed and governed to provide inviting openings in their fabric for residents to interpret and create place in ways that transcend routines of work and consumption.
We should never understate the importance of continually infusing places with joy, character and quirk. This is important in creating <a href="https://placematt.net/2019/04/08/the-tapestry-of-kindness/" target="_blank">generous</a>, meaningful places with heart and soul.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/116174/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Matt Novacevski, PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-turn-a-housing-development-into-a-place-where-people-feel-they-belong-116174" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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How to turn a housing development into a place where people feel they belong

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A four bedroom two bathroom Meadow Springs, WA mortgagee home has been sold after 285 days on market.
The house traded for $255,000.
It marks a reduction of $40,000 on it's 2012 sale price of $295,000.
Ted and Imelda Pankhurst of The Agency held the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-meadow+springs-128843958" target="_blank">12 La Grange Place</a>, it was listed with an asking price of $290,000 in August 2018 following an unsuccessful auction campaign.
The asking price was reduced four times over the course of the listing, down to $260,000 in April this year.
Set on 585 sqm, the 1993 built home features eight solar panels, a large workshop and a secondary garden shed.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Meadow Springs</a> is $352,500, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -0.4%.
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Meadow Springs, WA mortgagee home sold for $40,000 loss

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A two bedroom one bathroom Hermit Park mortgagee unit has been listed at $149,000.
This marks a $57,000 reduction on its previous sale price.
In 2008 the property transacted for $206,000.
Dayne Watson and John Bowen of First National hold the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-hermit+park-131134566" target="_blank">1/18 Armstrong Street</a>, it is part of a six apartment complex.
Set on 55 sqm, the property comes with a lockup garage.
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The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Hermit Park</a> is $342,000, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -3.6%.
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Hermit Park, Qld mortgagee apartment listed with $57,000 reduction

Off-the-plan apartment sales on the Gold Coast jumped in the recent quarter to be some 45 per cent higher than the prior quarter, according to property consultant company Urbis’ latest figures.

The Gold Coast has five of the top 10 best-selling projects nationwide.

Urbis senior consultant Lynda Campbell said it had “definitely been a good start to the year”.

The report, released today, found new apartment activity in the first quarter of 2019 was up by more than 70 sales from the December 2018 quarter.

“Most of the developers on the Gold Coast are meeting the market,” Ms Campbell told The Gold Coast Bulletin.

“The top-selling projects have been boutique and targeted at owner-occupiers and that’s what the market is looking for at the moment.”

There were 231 new apartment sales recorded from January to March.

Two-bedroom, two-bathroom pads made up 65 per cent of sales.

There are 2800 apartments under construction on the Glitter Strip, of which 62 percent are earmarked for completion this year.

The report found interstate investors have held back in 2019, claiming 25 per ent of sales, down from 42 per cent in the final quarter of 2018.

Foreign investors secured almost a quarter.

The southern beaches precinct, which stretched from Mermaid Beach to Tweed Heads, had more than 60 per cent of sales for the quarter – the highest level ­recorded for the area in the past five years.

In the first quarter last year the stretch only accounted for 25 per cent of sales.

It was also home to all of the four new projects launched across the Gold Coast.

<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/mali-residence-4-6-alexandra-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218-2014829266" target="_blank">Mali, the new 55 apartment block developed by Dankav</a> has six of its levels having only three apartments per floor.&nbsp;The curved BDA Architecture-designed building is set to be completed in mid 2020. It has a residents swimming pool on level nine, half way up the 17 level tower, located right on the border of Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach.

Knight Frank director and Queensland head of project marketing Chris Litfin, noted many developers had bought land between Mermaid Beach and Tweed Heads because it offered better value compared to other blocks closer to existing infrastructure.

“They can provide a product near the beach at a low price point,” he said.

The majority of those developments were considered boutique, which Mr Litfin said included between 60 and 120 apartments.

The report noted an average sales price of $788,312.

The number of cranes from apartment projects on the Gold Coast skyline has surged.

There are 30 cranes on the Glitter Strip – seven more than six months ago - according to the latest Rider Levett Bucknall Crane Index.

The director of RLB’s Gold Coast office, Jim Krebs, said the Gold Coast has the fifth highest number of cranes in Australia after Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Krebs noted there had been a fall in the value of residential construction projects starting and underway, with a shift towards smaller mid-rise towers.

The newly installed cranes included Vue Apartments and Elysian in Broadbeach while cranes were removed from the 40-level Qube in Broadbeach. Every light in the Qube was switched on for half an hour on one night in January earlier this year to celebrate the finished product.&nbsp;

An earlier Urbis report found the average sale price for the new boutique offerings had jumped $100,000 to more than $700,000 since 2017. &nbsp;

In part it is because developers have been offering a bigger apartment size, blocks no longer modelled on a hotel, where apartments are squeezed in to every level.

Nowadays developers often design four apartments per floor which allows each to occupy a corner of the building which offers two different viewpoints.

The other trend is whole floor.

31BB, named after its address at 31 Broadbeach Boulevard, has committed to this grander scale, the whole floor offering.

The $65 million Woods Bagot-designed&nbsp;project has 22 apartments across its 20 levels.&nbsp;

There are just eight remaining.

Selling agent&nbsp;Andrew Bampton&nbsp;says the buyers are typically aged 45 and over who are either downsizing or rightsizing as they say now, but still want size, luxury, quality interiors and an oceanside location.

"They are not retiring from life but are looking for a lock and leave lifestyle with no maintenance, in proximity to dining and entertaining options," Bampton says.

Bampton says the other key buyer group is a similar age, however are setting the apartment up as their second residence.

"People from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne have taken a keen interest in 31 Broadbeach," Bampton suggested, adding it was owner occupier only.

31BB is slated for completion next year by Optimus Developments which is headed by Andrew Karpati.

“Broadbeach already has a strong sense of community," Karpati noted.

A 305 sqm, three bedroom, three bathroom beach house takes up the ground floor, while the top floor is occupied by a four bedroom penthouse.&nbsp;

Both have their own pools. The beach house is still for sale.

The residents communal amenities sit on level 20, where there's a 15 metre heated lap pool.&nbsp;

On launch the full-floor 280 sqm residences featuring three bedrooms and three bathrooms started from $3.05 million.

In recent years Broadbeach has seen billions proposed in investment, led by the upgrade to The Star Gold Coast Casino. More than $2 billion will be spent with up to seven towers rise on the site. It follows the $670 million expansion and renovation of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Broadbeach was in the second stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail.

There's around 6500 apartments at Broadbeach which is set for the imminent launch of its highest beachfront residential tower, the 54 floor, 170 metre CLASS Broadbeach.

It will sit next to the area's current tallest building, the eastern Oracle tower.

CLASS Broadbeach will have 46 apartments, including 34 full-floor three bedroom apartments. There will be five two-level sky homes and a three-level penthouse.

It might not be the tallest as veteran developer John Potter has plans for a 68-storey twin super tower fo 2022 completion.

Vue Broadbeach by Andrews Projects, is nearing completion and nearing a sellout.

The $75-million First Avenue tower Vue, due to completed later this year, has achieved a 90 per cent sales rate. &nbsp;

Its penthouse fetched $5 million

The elliptical-shaped building has 71 apartments over 25 levels with a typical four apartments per floor.

The remaining apartments are two and three bedrooms, with open planned living spaces and ocean views.

"We are seeing a trend of local over 50’s looking to downsize, and Brisbane buyers looking for quality lock up weekenders," sales executive&nbsp;Sarah Andrews said.

Proximity to the Broadbeach Bowls Club was a major factor for one retired couple who will be downsizing from their large Clear Island Waters home.

It’s the sixth highrise project for the local family developer Andrews Projects, and their first in Broadbeach, which will be followed by Encore, a $78 million apartment building on Britannia Avenue which will have 86 residences across 25 storeys expected to be completed by late 2020.&nbsp;

Elysian, the $79 million Spyre Group project, will also a typical four per floor configuration across the 21 level luxury tower, set on the beachfront reserve Old Burleigh Road opposite Pratten Park.&nbsp;Elysian will have 61 apartments including two half-floor sub-penthouses starting at $3.4 million and two full-floor four bedroom, four bathroom penthouses priced at $4.7 million.

Sprye has installed new technology My Butler, a 24/7 virtual concierge which can book Elysian facilities, transport, cleaners and a car-wash among other services.

My Butler also has a building events calendar, along with the Elysian community portal which will have up to date notices on the building and its management.

Its basement car parking also features innovative technology, the Gold Coast’s first residential hi-tech automated vehicle storage system.

There have been amalgamations by some off the plan buyers, including Sydney couple who had not visited the Gold Coast in more than a decade, but will soon be able to visit whenever they want having amalgamated two apartments&nbsp;giving them a four-bedroom, three-bathroom holiday residence.&nbsp;

Elysian&nbsp;Broadbeach&nbsp;is now 80 percent sold with construction by Hutchinson Builders expected to be completed in early 2020.

CBRE director of residential projects Nicholas Clydsdale sold 25 apartments in the first three months of marketing in early 2018.&nbsp;

Its three bedrooms are priced from $1,340,000.

Koko at Broadbeach will have four apartments per floor throughout its 31 level tower by Morris Property Group.

The 100 apartment boutique development at 12-14 Elizabeth Avenue included five, three-bedroom half-floor sub-penthouses.

The level five, resident-only floor features Koko's resort-style amenities such as a pool, spa and a yoga lawn.

Half of the 94 two bedroom apartments are sold.

Chris Litfin is handling the marketing for the developer Barry Morris.&nbsp;

Litfin said owner-occupiers had been spurring the top end of the Gold Coast market.

“While once luxury would have been totally categorised as penthouses and sub-penthouses, now luxury is wrapped in the location and the amenity of the offering."

Since 2002 there have been around 125 sales above $2 million in Broadbeach, topping out in 2015 at $8 million in Oracle, which accounts for around a quarter of the luxury sales.

Off-the-plan apartment sales on the Gold Coast jumped in the recent quarter to be some 45 per cent higher than the prior quarter, according to property consultant company Urbis’ latest figures.

Interstate buyers decline amid surging Gold Coast OTP apartment sales

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A four bedroom two bathroom Nickol, WA mortgagee has sold following an April auction.
The house sold for $600,000, $50,000 below the asking price of $650,000.
Tiffinie Guillesser of LJ Hooker held the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-nickol-130828054" target="_blank">10 Brolga Meander</a>, the brick home features a double wide carport.
Set on 630 sqm, the one story house was constructed in 2009.
The property was listed as a rental throughout 2015 and 2016 with the asking price starting at $1,300/pw from April till June of 2015 before being cut to $950/pw in August 2015.
It was reduced again to $850/pw in September 2016 where it remained. 
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The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Nickol</a> is $382,500, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -6.1%.
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Four bedroom Nickol, WA mortgagee home sold

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Governments have seeded many key infrastructure projects throughout Australia, and the growing list of transport projects is painting a positive picture for the nation’s ability to absorb population growth, according to Urbis' latest report.
Across the national apartment market, Urbis found that 7% of available stock surveyed sold in the first quarter of 2019, continuing the downward trend from 2018.
Urbis Group Director, Clinton Ostwald, said “It is likely that we will see the floor of the sales valley in 2019 with a potential increase in sales activity in 2020.
“The nation is investing heavily in transport infrastructure to improve amenity in our cities, which will help support demand along corridors such as Sydney’s North West Metro and Eastern Suburbs Light Rail.”
While buyers await delivery of new infrastructure, Sydney recorded the lowest sales rate with only 4% of available stock surveyed selling during the quarter. Melbourne and Brisbane both recorded a sales rate of 7% down on rates seen in the past 12 months. The Gold Coast outperformed the major cities recording 230 sales, equating to 9% of available stock.
Stock
Urbis research shows approvals numbers decreasing each quarter over the past 12 months. The number of developments achieving minimum presale levels has also declined, resulting in a large pipeline of approved projects they feel are unlikely to move to construction in the near future.
They believe that given ongoing population growth from natural increase and migration, we are likely to see a shortage of new housing emerge over the next 12 to 18 months.
Melbourne’s Westgate Tunnel will uplift the Inner West and Western Corridor with approximately 7,500 apartments approved in these precincts.
Brisbane’s Cross River Rail in the Inner South will see a similar pattern where there are over 8,000 approved apartments.
In the longer term, Urbis expect that areas around West Metro in Sydney, Metronet in Perth and Metro Rail Tunnel in Melbourne will see increased apartment activity.
Buyer Profile
Owner occupiers have continued to be the most active buyers in the Australian apartment market, accounting for 51% of buyers in Q1 2019.
Foreign investors have been pushing sales in Sydney, Perth and the Gold Coast, accounting for over a quarter of buyers, but have dropped in Brisbane.
Interstate investors were interested in the Gold Coast (25%) and Melbourne (11%) whereas Sydney, Brisbane and Perth appealed more to local investors.
URBIS CITY SNAPSHOT
6.7 % of the surveyed available stock was sold in the January quarter across the five markets:
<ul>
<li>Sydney (4% of available surveyed stock sold, 485 new apartments launched)</li>
<li>Melbourne (7% of available surveyed stock sold, 295 new apartments launched)</li>
<li>Brisbane (8% of available surveyed stock sold, no new apartments launched)</li>
<li>Perth (6% of available surveyed stock sold, 161 new apartments launched)</li>
<li>Gold Coast (9% of available surveyed stock sold, 164 new apartments launched)</li>
</ul>
National weighted average sale price recorded at $726,329 for Q1 2019
<ul>
<li>Sydney – $1,091,935</li>
<li>Melbourne – $621,246</li>
<li>Brisbane – $638,409</li>
<li>Perth – $604,212</li>
<li>Gold Coast – $787,608</li>
</ul>
The most popular product type was two-bedroom, two-bathroom product at 46% of total sales. Across the cities the highest selling product types were:
<ul>
<li>Sydney – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments – 41%</li>
<li>Melbourne – One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments – 50%</li>
<li>Brisbane – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom - 56%</li>
<li>Perth – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom – 43%</li>
<li>Gold Coast – Two-bedroom, two-bathroom – 63%</li>
</ul>
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Owner occupiers accounted for 51% of apartment purchases lastest quarter

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GUEST OBSERVATION
<hr>
The world’s current tallest skyscraper is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It’s 828 metres tall, which is over two-and-a-half times as tall as any skyscraper in Australia.
However, there is a skyscraper being built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that will be over 1,000 metres tall when it’s finished. This will be the first building to ever rise over a kilometre high. It will also have 167 floors on top of each other!
So, how tall could we build a skyscraper? It would be difficult, but we could probably build a tower over 2,000 metres tall, which would be like ten normal skyscrapers on top of each other!
This is probably not a very good idea though. Building such a mega-tall skyscraper would use a huge amount of concrete and steel. Using lots of these materials when we don’t need to can be bad for the environment. It’s usually much better for the environment if we build smaller skyscrapers, maybe up to 300 metres tall.
In fact, there are lots of challenges when you design and build a mega-tall skyscraper.
Stopping the wind
The biggest difficulty is the wind. It blows on a skyscraper and tries to push it over, so you need to design a structure that keeps the building stable. The wind can also make a tower sway from side to side, so that people at the very top can even feel seasick.
Architects and engineers have lots of technologies to help stop this. Some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world have a giant pendulum at the top, inside the building, called a “tuned mass damper”.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/273734/original/file-20190510-183083-1ecnawq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/273734/original/file-20190510-183083-1ecnawq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Here’s the tuned mass damper inside a very tall building in Taiwan called the Taipei 101 building. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinux/2885421716/in/photolist-786x47-RrdhD-7L5rCf-cdadfE-9iWdLQ-isybyW-iq7AUJ-YMxAgb-5XS9AE-iq7uzQ-isxwRR-iq7xxU-isxND1-isxDju-isymzp-iq7st5-isyenS-isy5sY-71aoRR-iq7cEM-TwioMU-5vz76u-fQnMnK-uN592-fQnLhg-71epUy-iq8ajk-71ec27-4t7LZu-isxG3W-BxzS3-isxkUv-iq7ooj-47K2XM-22ybMDL-25X2Bnr-24zTwBZ-9x5PmD-5oUef8-5oYwzS-RpBdW-yUyNB6-5oYv7S-5VgHEu-5oYs5o-5oYxmh-69mpPE-5oUbkV" target="_blank">Flickr/riNux</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY</a>
Imagine a ball of steel the size of a house hanging from ropes inside a skyscraper. When the wind blows, the pendulum swings back and forth, absorbing the energy of the wind, to stop the building swaying.
Other buildings have pools of water at the top. When the wind blows it makes the water slosh around. Giant paddles in the pool absorb the water’s movement, which stops the building from swaying.
Another way to stop the wind is to use a clever skyscraper shape. When the wind blows on a skyscraper it creates swirls of air called vortices – like whirlpools in the sky.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/273735/original/file-20190510-183083-1g72pb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/273735/original/file-20190510-183083-1g72pb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai is thin at the top and wide at the bottom, with giant steps down the side. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/103252903@N02/11869658586/in/photolist-j5T6XY-bvr8eu-2bdB2Ch-ssZPHD-sbz7eZ-ed12bb-s9FWWX-ssYYoM-ssZG5H-rwdq5T-s9GeMa-rw1Ruf-sqJApS-sbzvPK-sbz26x-bvr7sA-ssRVyo-sbqZFy-sbsCT9-s9GaN8-st2iQc-sbyXCF-972TXn-9mFgfn-s9GDzk-9r5pz2-ssRyyh-ssZdct-sbs8ZN-s9GJ9R-drKBAV-rwcyVF-s9FATv-ssReuA-rwd8Wa-rwcKLP-sbsE6s-s9G5Gr-sqJsv5-sbywGP-st2aGt-sbqQSw-sqHUpw-ssR47w-dRA4ND-sbqw5m-FhbBWd-sbtfYW-sqJfXq-s9GLsi" target="_blank">Flickr/Adam</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a>
If these happen regularly, it can make the building sway back and forth. The Burj Khalifa building in Dubai is thin at the top and wide at the bottom, with giant steps down the side. The steps make the vortices happen at different heights to help stop the building from swaying in the wind.
Getting to the top
Another big challenge is how do you get to the top of a building that is one kilometre tall? Walking up the stairs isn’t an option as there would be more than 3,000 steps!
Taking the lift would be a good idea, but you’d need a very fast lift. Otherwise it would take ages to get up or down the building.
Some of theses lifts can travel at 70km/h, the speed of cars on a highway. At that speed you would go past five floors every second and soon be at the top.
You would also need lots of lifts in a kilometre-high skyscraper. The Jeddah Tower will have 59 of them! They will have super-strong carbon fibre ropes to carry the lift, as normal ropes just aren’t strong enough.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MP_dFzClszU?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe>

Philip Oldfield, Associate Professor in Architecture, UNSW
<hr>
This is part of <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/curious-kids-36782" target="_blank">Curious Kids</a> - a series by The Conversation for children. 
 
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-whats-the-tallest-skyscraper-its-possible-to-build-116817" target="_blank">original article</a>.
Main photo: The world’s current tallest skyscraper is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It’s 828 metres tall. But we could go taller. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tesking/35230242163/in/photolist-VFbcAk-XUwxV5-ddWzVn-ecUobg-thKs8D-p8yc7Z-p8z4Nh-9zaphZ-nzgdq2-aXCFxn-a1rTEu-W7zGAC-qruL8A-qoNCRS-CXF6CY-27gVqk6-WDDTV7-6W5U5M-oXJ8SW-fenkop-bDhUuj-qxQWBt-qkvvXv-dCdUpG-9eazzw-p9wSmd-DpMPAx-eLGTUf-9Xr1s9-pNTkKD-dxMWP5-qNgEsP-nCzh2J-miNEiK-7y39vZ-8o5KK2-bmqe9s-bjisJK-9xbm7r-qcZa6i-8XtsnC-GZYtsF-QLC74r-r4DkEj-9xbn3P-wwN58s-8UZLaq-q6hhD2-q69S27-22Kt5pu" target="_blank">Flickr/Cristian Viarisio</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philip-oldfield-140685" target="_blank">Philip Oldfield</a>, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414" target="_blank">UNSW</a>
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What’s the tallest skyscraper it’s possible to build?

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EXPERT OBSERVER
When brothers Ben and Rob Coorey created the technology to analyse the profitability of potential development sites within seconds, they had a choice.  
They could keep it to themselves and go on to become two of Australia's richest developers. Or, they could share it with the world and make real estate investment, development, and design much easier and more transparent for everyone.
They chose the latter.
Not that they haven't also benefitted. Their business, <a href="https://archistar.ai/" target="_blank">Archistar</a>, has raised millions from investors such as the former Foxtel chief executive Peter Tonagh, ex-CoreLogic managing director Graham Mirabito, and former CEO of CBRE Australasia Tom Southern.
"Our tool evaluates development opportunities for your property and assesses its potential market performance,” Ben Coorey told me in a conversation last week. "A consumer, developer, architect, or council … anyone can benefit if they need to assess designs."
MAKING NEIGHBOURS RICH
Archistar can even turn a handful of neighbours into millionaires.  
As Coorey pointed out, the most important part of real estate development is to understand what the rules are for your site. His tool gives you exactly that information.
Coorey say, "Our software allows you to piece together a number of neighbouring lots and determine what you could build if they were combined.”
A group of eight neighbours in Castle Hill secured $5 million each by selling all their homes in one go. The developer who bought the land plans to build a unit project. Since the average price in Castle Hill is about $1.3 million, the vendors earned about a 300% profit by informing themselves about the development potential of their property.
That kind of windfall shows why Archistar’s tool is so valuable. But I don’t think the Coorey brothers are in it for the money. 
Talking to Ben, I got the sense that what really motivates the Cooreys is getting their arms around complex problems and then solving them. The fact that they made their development analysis tool publicly available is proof. (You can get a free, basic analysis of your own home on their website, https://archistar.ai.)
More proof that the Archistar team is motivated by a good challenge rather than a fast buck comes from the fact that they decided to take on the challenge of developing automated reports based on the arcane rules of a 3,000-year-old practice that has been called both science and superstition.
DOES YOUR HOME HAVE GOOD FENG SHUI?
“We wanted to democratise the principles of Feng Shui so that anyone, anywhere could get an instant Feng Shui analysis of their floorplan,” Coorey told me.
How hard was that? 
Very. 
Archistar spent 12 months developing a one-of-a-kind artificial intelligence engine that makes the Feng Shui analysis possible. To start with, they had to understand the principles of Feng Shui. Then, they had to digitize them, create algorithms that can analyse any floorplan according to those rules, and design a system that uses those algorithms to provide useful insights that allow you to fix whatever Feng Shui problems your home might have.
"We had to translate over 500 rules from ancient Chinese Feng Shui texts that go back hundreds of years," Coorey said. The sources they consulted also included some recent page-turners such as Human Habitat and Feng Shui (人居环境与风水), Modern Residential Feng Shui (现代住宅风水), and Chinese Wisdom Feng Shui's Application (国学智慧-风水文化应用篇) by Professor Yu Xixian.
"From those texts, we put together a set of Feng Shui rules," said Coorey. "Then we take apart floorplans and use these rules to evaluate the Feng Shui of each one."
To test its new Feng Shui analysis tool, Archistar looked at The Lodge, the official Canberra Prime Minister’s residence which has been home to leaders such as Robert Menzies, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam, Paul Keating, and John Howard.
Archistar’s Feng Shui analysis found that the 1927 building generally abides by Feng Shui principles. It’s not that the original architects consulted a Feng Shui expert when designing The Lodge.
“Sometimes, a design has good Feng Shui even though the architects didn’t know anything about the practice,” said Coorey. “Good design can transcend cultures.”
Juwai.com, where I am chairman, now provides Archistar’s Feng Shui reports to our Chinese international property buyers.
WHICH CITY RULES?
As Archistar analyses the Feng Shui properties of more and more floorplans, Coorey expects to be able to draw conclusions about entire cities.
“As we build a database of floorplans, you can start to collect insights on regions, countries, and cities. Up until this point, you haven’t had the analysis in a common format that you could compare. Now, we have a standard format to do so.”
I asked Coorey which Australian city he thought would come out on top in the Feng Shui competition. 
Do buildings in Melbourne have better Feng Shui than Sydney? Does Brisbane beat Perth? And can Parramatta blame bad Feng Shui for the fact that the Eels came dead last in 2018, or is there a more nefarious cause?
Probably wisely, Coorey wasn’t willing to hazard an answer to any of these questions.
Georg Chmiel is the chairman of Juwai, a Chinese website for buyers of overseas property, was speaking to Ben Coorey, the founder and CEO of Archistar, a training centre teaching digital design skills for architects and engineers.
His regular column, getting into the leading minds of Australian property experts, has spoken with LJ Hooker agent Bill Malouf about the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/82193-georg-chmiel-chats-with-bill-malouf" target="_blank">ins and out of the Sydney market</a>, REINSW president Leanne Pilkington about <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/83830-georg-chmiel-chats-with-reinsw-president-leanne-pilkington-on-women-in-real-estate" target="_blank">women in real estate</a>, developer Larry Kestelman about <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/85169-georg-chmiel-chats-with-larry-kestelman-about-developing-your-first-property" target="_blank">developing your first property</a>, Harcourts boss Mike Green on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/86232-georg-chmiel-chats-with-harcourts-boss-mike-green-on-real-estate-investment-secrets" target="_blank">real estate investment secrets</a>, Ironfish chief Joseph Chou on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/87440-georg-chmiel-talks-with-ironfish-ceo-joseph-chou-about-whether-to-invest-in-today-s-market" target="_blank">investing in today's market</a>, liveability guru <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/90628-georg-chmiel-talks-with-liveability-guru-cecille-weldon-about-unlocking-a-home-s-hidden-value" target="_blank">Cecile Weldon</a> and Hickinbotham Group's <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/investment-strategy/129-industry-leaders-give-their-property-insights/93219-georg-chmiel-chats-with-hickinbotham-group-s-michael-hickinbotham-about-the-home-building-family-business" target="_blank">Michael Hickinbotham</a>.
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