Northland Group’s Central Quarter apartment development, located in the heart of Merrylands, ticks every box that buyers consider when purchasing a brand-new apartment.

CQ, currently under construction on Pitt Street, will comprise 194 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in the heart of the growing suburb.

<h2>Guaranteed Delivery</h2>

First and foremost is the guarantee of delivery. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/northland">Northland</a> has only just launched the development, despite being close to topping out the main structure. They progressed well into construction before bringing the project to market, giving buyers confidence that the development is genuinely moving ahead.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=1674]

<h2>Quality Assurance</h2>

The second — and perhaps most important — consideration for new apartment buyers is not just whether the project will be completed, but whether it will be finished to a high standard. Northland Group is the only developer in Merrylands to take out Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, offering buyers protection from any structural or waterproofing issues for 10 years after completion. Northland also has a vastly experienced construction team, having been building across Sydney for the best part of three decades.&nbsp;

<h2>Prime Location</h2>

The third pillar, which is paramount, is location — and how well the apartment fits into a buyer’s lifestyle. It must be well-connected to both transport and local amenities. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/central-quarter-merrylands-242-252-pitt-street-merrylands-nsw-2160">Central Quarter</a> occupies a prime site on Pitt Street, right next to the Merrylands Bus Interchange and Merrylands Train Station. This offers direct access to Parramatta, just one stop away, and places the CBD within 35 minutes.

<h2>Amenity-Rich Environment</h2>

While the development is already close to everything Merrylands has to offer, Northland Group is adding further value by delivering 22 new retail tenancies at the base of the building and within the commercial podium. Confirmed tenants include a 24/7 gym operator, a provider for a 111-place childcare centre, and major fast-food retailers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=1613]

Residents will also have private access to a rooftop with several breakout spaces, barbecue areas, and a children's playground.

<h2>Thoughtfully Designed Apartments</h2>

With all the above boxes ticked, attention turns to the apartments themselves. Northland has gone above and beyond, offering large floorplans and premium finishes as standard. Kitchens include stone island benches, integrated Smeg appliances (gas cooktop, oven, rangehood, microwave, and dishwasher), and Villeroy &amp; Boch tapware.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=1607]

Even the small details haven’t been overlooked. The integrated VRF air conditioning system allows for zoned temperature control in each room. Furthermore, each Central Quarter balcony will be built with pedestal tiles allowing for seamless indoor/outdoor living.&nbsp;

<h2>A Decade in the Making</h2>

Central Quarter has been over a decade in the making, with Northland Group securing the site back in 2014. Years of careful planning and design have gone into creating a product that truly suits the area.

With completion expected by early to mid-2026 and interest rates forecast to fall further before then, now is arguably the perfect time to secure a new home at this advanced stage of construction.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5660]

Joel Robinson

Why Northland Group’s Central Quarter apartment development ticks every box

High-end retailer Cult Design has signed up to take all of the commercial space, and a large section of the retail space, on the street-level of the upcoming new Fitzroy apartment development, Fitzroy Fitzroy.

Cult Design, which offers&nbsp;premium&nbsp;furniture, lighting and objects from iconic international and local brands, will also furnish the communal areas of the project with Cult’s brands, as well as Cultivate — Cult’s in-house sustainability program that provides buyback, refurbishment, and recycling services — a program that aligns with the project’s efforts to restore and preserve the heritage aspects of the building. Current and future residents will also have the option to purchase a turnkey furnished solution curated by Cult.

Cult has taken&nbsp;the entirety of the project's commercial space, and two of the three retail lots, which will form Cult's new HQ and flagship showroom.&nbsp;

In a further commitment to the building, Cult Design Founder Richard Munao has also bought one of the five terrace homes in the project. So too has DKO’s Director of Interiors &amp; Design Lead for the project, Michael Drescher. The sales highlight the deep alignment between the project’s architectural intent and its growing community of discerning owner-occupiers, including the collaborators themselves.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183070]

Dean Lefkos, founder and director of Chapter Group which is developing Fitzroy Fitzroy, said the project is unlike any development he’s seen in terms of its buyer community.

“<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/fitzroy-fitzroy-411-421-smith-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy Fitzroy</a> is a true owner-occupier project; we’ve had best friends, siblings and even cousins purchasing homes, which is truly rare in residential projects these days," Lefkos said.

“The architecture and interiors of Fitzroy Fitzroy genuinely reflect the suburb’s character, with thoughtful design that has clearly resonated with purchasers."

Located on Smith Street and designed by DKO Architecture, Fitzroy Fitzroy sits behind a grand heritage brick facade, once home to MacRobertson’s Garage and Workshop, and reaches nine storeys high, complete with angular rooftops and a chamfered western side to create sunlit internal spaces and generous viewlines.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=183066]

Originally launching to market with 56 apartments and six terrace homes, Fitzroy Fitzroy will now be home to 52 apartments and five terrace homes following a number of amalgamations. One such purchaser is Michael Drescher, DKO’s design lead on the project, who purchased a three-bedroom apartment.

“I knew the site well, it’s a pocket of Fitzroy I’ve always admired, but it was through designing the interiors and meeting future residents 
that I knew this was a place we could truly call home,” Drescher said.

“I sensed early on that the building would foster a strong sense of community, and that feeling came to life during one of the purchaser events — everyone had the chance to meet their future neighbours, but it felt more like a gathering of old friends coming together.

“At DKO, we invested considerable time in crafting each floor plan with care. From the outset, we anticipated strong interest from owner-occupiers and particularly those already living in the area. The apartment we purchased was always one of my favourite floor plans in the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14394 project_image_fid=1011]

Buyers will have access to resident-only amenities including the Smith Club, with communal bar and dining, private meeting and work-from-home spaces and an expansive, tranquil rooftop garden on level nine, designed by TCL.

Having met with future residents and purchasers, Drescher has developed an understanding of how the residential amenities and rooftop communal spaces will be used and is working with Cult and Chapter Group on furniture selections to suit.

At ground level, an internal laneway connects Smith Street to the residents’ lobby, inspired by the local arcades in Melbourne’s CBD, with Cult’s future corner showroom to be located behind the existing brick facade, with large windows opening onto both Smith Street and Leicester Street.

Limited apartments remain, ranging from $720,000 to over $4 million. Three yet-to-be-released sub-penthouses will launch to market in spring.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=14394]

Dean Lefkos, founder and director of Chapter Group which is developing Fitzroy Fitzroy, said the project is unlike any development he’s seen in terms of its buyer community

Cult Design takes commercial and retail space at Fitzroy Fitzroy as founder buys into project

The prolonged growth in the Brisbane unit market is becoming quite remarkable.

Unit values rose another 1.1 per cent in July, according to Cotality's latest Home Value Index. They are now over 10 per cent up over the last 12 months, and making it the best performing capital city unit market in the country, just head of Perth and Adelaide. Over the same period, Sydney unit values have seen now growth, and Melbourne units have decline 0.8 per cent.

What makes the continued growth in 2025 remarkable is how well the unit market is performing after 2024, when it grew by over 16 per cent, growth not seen over a calendar year since the 1980s.

The median unit value in Brisbane is now $727,000, the second most expensive capital city unit market in the country, only behind Sydney's $868,000 median.

With strong fundamentals including low supply, growing consumer confidence, rate cut tailwinds, and the anticipation building for the 2032 Summer Olympics, there's no suggestion Brisbane’s unit market won't continue to see strong growth.

<h2>What happened in Brisbane’s off the plan apartment market in July?</h2>

Developers are looking at any opportunity to get into the Brisbane apartment market.

Veteran builder John Kearney, who runs the successful development company Immerse Projects on the Gold Coast, secured a site in Toowong for his debut Brisbane apartment development.

It’s a location filled with nostalgia for Kearney, who studied at the nearby University of Queensland.

"It feels like a full circle moment," Kearney told Apartments.com.au.

“I spent many nights at the Regatta Hotel just down the road — as have most people in Brisbane. It’s one of the city’s most well-known hotels, and with several cafes, restaurants, and a CityCat stop nearby, it’s become an even more attractive place to live.”

He also noted the opportunity to take advantage of significant view corridors from the new development site: across Toowong Memorial Park, north to the city, and east along the Brisbane River.

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-immerse-projects-moves-into-brisbane-apartment-market-with-toowong-site-acquisition">First look: Immerse Projects moves into Brisbane apartment market with Toowong site acquisition</a>

National developer Fortis has also been in acquisition mode, filing for two new apartment developments in Hamilton and New Farm.

They are seeking to develop a boutique block of 12 on Hamilton's Racecourse Road (below), and 74 apartments on New Farm's dress circle Bowen Terrace.

<img alt="Fortis doubles down on Brisbane, files boutique apartment plans on Hamilton's Racecourse Road" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Racecourse_Hero_01.jpg?VersionId=tFCZcfOm_N9P7FqmhX9ViXj_EF_5EQ_u" />

They've had <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada Architects</a>&nbsp;design the Hamilton project, which is part of a wave of new development that will uplift Racecourse Road.

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/fortis-doubles-down-on-brisbane-files-boutique-apartment-plans-on-hamiltons-racecourse-road">Fortis doubles down on Brisbane, files boutique apartment plans on Hamilton's Racecourse Road</a>

More apartments are coming to West End, with Zen Group securing approval for a 200 climate-responsive apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/24-duncan-street-west-end-qld-4101">Duncan Street</a>.

The two 17-storey towers will have a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="200 &quot;climate-responsive&quot; apartments set for West End as Zen Group given green light" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Duncan%20Street%20pers.png?VersionId=nmW9L.fBmBQSq_9OKGMUvFkSA2NZek20" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bettspartners">Betts + Partners</a>, the development is grounded in a climate-responsive and contextually sensitive approach, aiming to reinforce the emerging identity of the West End Riverside South precinct.

The project includes a 2,600 sqm rooftop offering a comprehensive suite of resident amenities: three pools, a fitness centre, cinema room, private dining rooms, lounges, a library, and wellness facilities including hot and cold plunge pools, pilates, a sauna and a contemplative garden.

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/200-climate-responsive-apartments-set-for-west-end-as-zen-group-given-green-light">200 "climate-responsive" apartments set for West End as Zen Group given green light</a>

There was a rare new launch of apartment in July, in the heart of the Brisbane Olympic precinct. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/keylin-group" target="">Keylin</a>&nbsp;has started taking sales at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/oria-spring-hill-447-gregory-terrace-spring-hill-qld-4000">Oria Spring Hill</a>, located across the road from Victoria Park, the heart of the Games.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/oria-spring-hill-447-gregory-terrace-spring-hill-qld-4000">Oria</a>&nbsp;will comprise 132 residences across 15 levels in an elevated position on Gregory Terrace, directly opposite Victoria Park, the future site of the Games.

Leaning into its Olympic location, Keylin is introducing unique amenities that cater to changing lifestyle requirements.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109146 project_image_fid=1015]

Much like the shift developers made during the pandemic to include study nooks and multi-purpose rooms in response to the work-from-home trend, Keylin has responded to the growing popularity of pickleball. Oria will feature a proposed private pickleball court as part of its facilities, one of the first courts in a new residential development across the country.

Keylin understood the prime value of this location long before the announcement that Victoria Park would be the heart of the 2032 Summer Olympics.

The address at 447 Gregory Terrace provides residents with easy access to major transport links, universities, and hospitals. Keylin has already commenced construction on Oria, which is being delivered by builder CoStruct.

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/keylin-group-launches-oria-in-victoria-park-spring-hill-olympic-precinct">Keylin Group launches Oria in Victoria Park, Spring Hill Olympic precinct</a>

City Beat July 2025: Brisbane's supercharged unit market continues to boom

There’s no sign of Palm Beach’s development boom slowing down.

Local developer Chippendale Group — which welcomed buyers to its Eva on Tenth project late last year — is now moving ahead with its next venture, Elise.

Similar in scale to Eva, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/elise-1425-1427-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Elise</a> will deliver 47 two-bedroom apartments, several with multipurpose rooms and dedicated study spaces. The project occupies a 1,230 sqm site at 1425–1427 Gold Coast Highway, with dual frontage to Twenty Fifth Avenue.&nbsp;It is on the prized eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway, 55m to the sand.

<img alt="Chippendale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f923e5ae-0554-4a27-8d30-2f00990e09e6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-14%20at%203.35.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=tkiYZ4CdZCklnS_KwDH_EZSnZl9K0QQT" />

Chippendale Group, led by&nbsp;fifth-generation family member and local businessman Daniel&nbsp;Chippendale, appointed BDA again to design Elise.

They noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council that the design "prioritises visual permeability and climatic performance to create a liveable residential outcome in a prominent beachfront location”.

The nine-level building will also home two swimming pools on the ground level, a gym with a sauna, and a resident lounge with dining space, kitchen, and barbecue area.&nbsp;

<img alt="Chippendale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef9ea403-e608-466e-a277-09d3c96220c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-14%20at%203.35.54%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=hS2zvNS0C43vRqrrS4s6yeDiS9ov6UJq" />

Palm Beach is going through another wave of development. The quiet suburb became one of the most in demand suburbs in the country in 2020 and 2021 during the onset of COVID-19, with both developers and buyers scrambling to get into the market.

Those developments have since been delivered and settled - and now there's a new wave of projects coming through.

Sherpa has two projects, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Amargo</a>, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-ovana-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Ovana</a>, across the road from each other on Sixth Avenue, while&nbsp;

On the eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway, DJ Fisher and wife Chloe launched <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/pescado-palm-beach-228-230-jefferson-lane-palm-beach-qld-4221">Pescado</a>, to much fanfare. Gordon Corp is also soon to release its newest development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elle-on-jefferson-62-64-jefferson-lane-palm-beach-qld-4221">Elle on Jefferson</a>. BPG Developments is also planning a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-bpg-developments-returns-to-palm-beach-new-apartment-market">new project on Jefferson Lane</a>.

First Look: Chippendale plots new Palm Beach apartment development after completing EVA Tenth Avenue

Frankston City Council has approved planning application for Pace Development Group's $91 million development at the cinematic location of 438-444 Nepean Highway Frankston.

The former home of Frankston Cinemas will be transformed into a 14 storey mixed-use building with views of the bay.

Pace’s approved plans include 144 apartments, one shop, two hospitality spaces, a wellness centre, gym, plus 202 car parking spaces across three basement levels accessed from Nepean Highway. Works are due to commence early 2026 for completion in early 2030. The site has been derelict for over a decade, following the closure of the Frankston Cinema in March 2014.

There are currently seven approved private sector mixed-use developments in Frankston’s city centre. Urban DC’s Harbour Frankston commenced construction in May 2025, after their first project, Horizon Frankston, broke records as Victoria’s fastest selling development back in 2023/24.

Pre-sales on both developments identify enormous local demand for a diversity of housing including the premium market, and more options for downsizers.

Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam JP says the transformation to the urban beautification, local economy, vibrancy and overall reputation from these award-winning developers and architects is going to be "insurmountable."

"When you look at the current list of approved and recently completed projects, Frankston City has a $506 million price tag of private development! Not to mention the additional 770 residential dwellings that will contribute to our housing targets,"&nbsp;Bolam says.

"Every visitor daring to pass through Frankston will have a changed perception of our City, every investor will understand the sheer magnitude of opportunity, every business will realise the potential, and every resident will proudly know that Frankston City is experiencing the most exciting trajectory in decades. There is no doubt that the next evolution of Frankston City will exceed everyone’s wildest expectations.”

Pace Development Group’s original proposal was not supported by Council in April 2023 and ultimately rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal&nbsp;(VCAT) in July 2024. However once the Victorian Planning Minister had approved implementation of Council’s Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre (FMAC) Structure Plan into the Frankston Planning Scheme in April 2025, Pace was able to work with Council to satisfactorily address any concerns and align plans accordingly.

Shane Wilkinson, Managing Director of Pace Development Group, said the permit approval was incredibly exciting both for the project at 438-444 Nepean Highway and for Frankston's broader transformation.

"Frankston is on the cusp of major change thanks to the forward-thinking vision of the Frankston City Council," Wilkinson says.

"With the Council's valued support, Pace is proud to be playing a leading role in helping to shape the transformation of Frankston by delivering new homes, jobs and retail opportunities for the Frankston community."

Mayor Bolam added that the Council’s newly adopted FMAC Structure Plan is giving greater confidence to investors that Frankston City is a proven investment hot spot with an optimal strategic planning framework for success.

"The final successful application from Pace is an impressive reflection of our community’s expectations and a great alignment with our Structure Plan. This is yet another development that will help guide Frankston City’s ongoing transformation.”

The FMAC Structure Plan, which provides critical clear direction on a number of criteria including land use, building design, housing and accommodation, is just one of several initiatives designed by Council to encourage, guide and support development applications. Council’s 2025-2026 Annual Budget includes a new differential rate to encourage the development of vacant and land-banked properties in Frankston’s city centre.

Vacant properties within the Frankston Metropolitan Activity Centre and along the Nepean Highway now attract a differential rate three times higher than the general rate, a measure designed to&nbsp;prevent land-banking and drive much needed investment into housing and commercial projects.

Council is also developing a streamlined application assessment timeframe for major developments that recognises the need for faster processing and review timeframes for larger projects, whilst still maintaining robust assessment standards.

Tasmania sees mortgages market activity spike: CoreLogic

Staff reporter

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