Gold Coast-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ignite-projects">Ignite Projects</a> has lodged a Development Application for a landmark $120 million precinct set to transform the southern gateway of the much-loved Spit.

Positioned at the most prominent entry point to the iconic peninsula, the project has been designed with a strong focus on architecture, public space, heritage and connectivity, delivering a revitalised parkland setting that invites locals and visitors to engage with the Broadwater.

Central to The Isles proposal is a significantly upgraded public realm, including landscaped open space, a new waterfront café, and a family-friendly park featuring a naval-themed playground, open lawns and improved pedestrian connections.

<img alt="Ignite Projects unveils exciting details of landmark gateway precinct for the Spit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de83a270-6091-4b26-bed0-86f9248e7f9e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/The%20Isles%201.jpg?VersionId=vt79HlCOwV9F7eLQe9.Z3bv9JGLMaSP2" />

The design retains and celebrates key elements of the site’s history. The training mast from the vacant and degraded naval cadet building, which forms part of a former Navy minesweeper, will be preserved. The existing Navy Memorial will be relocated and upgraded in collaboration with the RSL, allowing it to be publicly accessible for the first time in years. 
&nbsp; 
Heritage-listed Humphreys Boat Shed remnants will remain and be incorporated into the landscape, while the site’s established Norfolk Pines will be retained, reinforcing the area’s character and sense of place. The enhanced parkland will ultimately create a long-term community asset at the entry to The Spit. 
&nbsp; 
The Development Application (DA) lodged with Gold Coast City Council includes 28 waterfront apartments across three levels, ranging in size from 145sqm to 383sqm, designed as a feature landmark within the precinct and complement the public domain.

<img alt="Ignite Projects unveils exciting details of landmark gateway precinct for the Spit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bbf94e00-b56a-47fb-a15d-3d17b0b1ec76" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/The%20Isles%203.jpg?VersionId=A0vmBNE_KohYJo1EoZcmF5IVW4tT5aDo" /> 
&nbsp; 
Ignite Projects Director Josh Foote said the project as a whole had been carefully shaped to deliver a meaningful outcome for the wider community, not just future residents. 
&nbsp; 
“This is about more than delivering opulent apartments – it’s about creating a welcoming and memorable gateway to The Spit that people can enjoy every day,” Mr Foote said. 
&nbsp; 
“We’ve worked hard to ensure the public realm is a central part of the project, from the landscaped parklands and family-friendly spaces through to the preservation and celebration of important local heritage.”

<img alt="Ignite Projects unveils exciting details of landmark gateway precinct for the Spit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="443bbde5-8221-45f8-a549-dad2623df20c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/The%20Isles%204.jpg?VersionId=iUl6nc.sHkjMdo_1RigwbwUz_celHJ3H" /> 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, The Isles adopts a considered subtropical approach, with the building form shaped to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and views to the Broadwater and surrounding parklands. 
&nbsp; 
Architect Rafael Contreras said the design responded directly to its unique coastal setting. 
&nbsp; 
“Rather than a typical built form, the architecture has been shaped by performance and experience – from optimising outlook and privacy to creating a strong connection to landscape and climate,” Mr Contreras said. 
&nbsp; 
“A central landscaped courtyard allows light, air and greenery to permeate the building, while the articulated façade introduces movement and rhythm inspired by the Broadwater.

“The Isles will create a place where people can gather, relax and connect with the water, while also delivering a refined residential product that responds to its unique setting.”

<img alt="Ignite Projects unveils exciting details of landmark gateway precinct for the Spit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1089570d-1120-4302-9900-fb9f75c75c26" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/The%20Isles%205.jpg?VersionId=pl9qmKZNbaL3A7XjmD7sjhLwmXaqzzLZ" /> 
&nbsp; 
The DA relates to the residential and public realm components, with a proposed boutique marina to be progressed as part of a future stage, subject to separate approvals. 
&nbsp; 
The Isles is being delivered under The Spit Master Plan, a collaborative vision to create a new residential, tourism, leisure, natural environment and cultural heritage hub on the iconic and much-loved peninsula.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Ignite Projects has an established track record delivering premium residential projects across the Gold Coast, including The Monaco at Main Beach and Cabana at Palm Beach. 
&nbsp; 
Sales for The Isles are expected to commence in coming months from an on-site display suite, with construction targeted to begin later this year, subject to approvals.

Joel Robinson

Ignite Projects unveils exciting details of landmark gateway precinct for the Spit

The Federal Government’s sweeping changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax could trigger an unintended consequence: a surge of investor demand into the new and off the plan apartment sector.

While Treasurer Jim Chalmers has framed the reforms as a way to improve housing affordability and rebalance the tax system, the carve-outs for newly built housing are already positioning off the plan apartments as one of the few remaining tax-effective property investment plays.

Under the changes handed down in the Federal Budget, investors purchasing established properties after budget night will no longer be able to access negative gearing benefits. The Government will also replace the long-standing 50 per cent capital gains tax discount with a new inflation-indexation model and introduce a minimum 30 per cent tax on gains from July 2027.

However, there is a major exemption.

Investors buying new builds, including off the plan apartments, will still be eligible for negative gearing and will be able to choose between retaining the current 50 per cent CGT discount or adopting the new indexed model.

That distinction is expected to reshape investor behaviour almost immediately.

For years, established housing has dominated investor purchases because of its perceived lower risk, immediate rental returns and stronger historical capital growth. But with the tax advantages now heavily skewed toward new housing supply, the economics are changing rapidly.

The Federal Government has been explicit about its intent.

“The housing market and tax system are broken,” Chalmers said ahead of the Budget, arguing that existing concessions were disproportionately rewarding speculation rather than supporting housing supply.

The Government says the reforms are designed to encourage investment into new housing rather than established stock, a move aimed at increasing supply during a prolonged housing shortage.

According to the official Budget papers, limiting negative gearing to newly built homes is intended to “better align tax incentives with housing supply objectives.”

For the apartment development sector, particularly the off the plan market, the changes could become one of the strongest investor tailwinds in years.

Developers across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have spent the past two years battling elevated construction costs, higher interest rates and subdued investor confidence. Many projects have struggled to secure sufficient pre-sales to commence construction, particularly in markets heavily reliant on investor demand.

The Budget changes may now alter that equation.

Investors seeking tax-effective property exposure will increasingly find themselves funnelled toward newly built apartments simply because established dwellings no longer offer the same benefits.

Commonwealth Bank described the reforms as one of the most significant shifts to residential property investment settings in decades, noting that the package is centred around “limiting negative gearing for residential property to new builds” while replacing the existing CGT framework.

That could have profound implications for the apartment sector.

Off the plan apartments already hold several advantages for investors. Purchasers typically secure a property at today’s price while settlement occurs years later, allowing time for capital growth and reducing the upfront capital burden. Brand-new apartments also generally attract depreciation benefits, lower maintenance costs, and stronger appeal to renters seeking modern amenity.

Now, they may also become one of the only residential property types still offering the full suite of historical tax advantages.

Industry analysts expect investor demand to increasingly migrate toward projects that can clearly demonstrate strong rental demand, transport connectivity and long-term supply constraints.

The shift is likely to be particularly pronounced in apartment markets already underpinned by structural undersupply, including inner Brisbane, the Gold Coast, parts of Sydney’s Lower North Shore and select Melbourne precincts where new apartment commencements have collapsed over recent years.

The reforms also arrive at a time when apartment supply nationally remains critically constrained.

Australia is already struggling to meet the Federal Government’s target of delivering 1.2 million new homes over five years. Construction feasibility pressures have delayed or shelved thousands of apartments across the country, particularly as building costs remain elevated and financing conditions remain tight.

Critics of the Budget changes argue the reforms could reduce overall investor participation in the housing market and place upward pressure on rents by discouraging investment in established housing.

Some economists estimate the measures could reduce housing supply over the longer term if overall investor appetite weakens.

However, the Government is betting that redirecting investor capital into new housing supply will offset those concerns.

“To continue to incentivise construction of new housing, investors building new residential properties will be able to choose either the 50 per cent CGT discount or the new arrangements,” the Budget papers stated.

That wording has been closely watched by the development industry because it effectively positions new apartments as the preferred investment class within residential property.

For off the plan developers, the reforms could become a powerful sales tool.

Projects that have increasingly relied on owner-occupier demand may once again attract investors seeking to preserve the tax advantages still attached to newly built housing before the July 2027 changes take effect.

The reforms are also expected to sharpen the divide between established and new housing markets.

Rather than a broad investor retreat from property altogether, many analysts expect a redistribution of capital toward sectors still supported by Government incentives.

That could create stronger demand for apartment projects in key urban growth corridors and transit-oriented precincts where population growth, migration and rental shortages remain elevated.

The policy direction also aligns with the Government’s broader push toward increasing housing density in established urban areas.

Across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, planning reforms are increasingly encouraging higher-density apartment development around transport infrastructure and activity centres. By maintaining tax incentives for new housing, the Federal Government is effectively reinforcing that agenda from a taxation perspective.

For apartment developers who have spent years navigating subdued investor confidence, the changes may ultimately become the catalyst that reactivates parts of the off the plan market.

While the broader property sector is still digesting the long-term implications of the Budget, one thing is already becoming clear.

The era of investors buying established apartments and houses primarily for tax advantages may be ending.

But for off the plan apartments, the investment story may just be beginning.

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Investors to flood off the plan apartment market?

Adding to Chatswood’s growing skyline, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-anderson-chatswood-54-56-anderson-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">The Anderson</a> is grounded in a simple principle: apartment living in a major centre does not have to come at the expense of space and outlook.

Set on Anderson Street in the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chatswood-nsw-2067">Chatswood</a>, the new residential tower, a collaboration between developers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/changfa-group">Changfa Group</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/huirong-group">Huirong Group</a> with architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>, will introduce 122 apartments that prioritise generous proportions, considered orientation, and a strong connection to the surrounding heritage precinct.

The design originated from a Design Excellence Competition, where AJC proposed a building that combines suburban-style apartment scale with the density expected in a transport-rich centre. The development will include more than 1,800 square metres of retail and commercial space at street level, landscaped communal roof terraces, and a ground-floor pocket park framed by canopy trees. Together these elements aim to create a building that integrates with Chatswood’s evolving streetscape while maintaining a strong residential focus.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151353 project_image_fid=353250]

A key driver behind the architecture was the desire to deliver family-sized apartments rarely seen in the Chatswood market. The Anderson includes a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments, with around 35 per cent of the residences configured as three or four-bedroom homes. At the top of the building, two double-storey penthouses span approximately 200 square metres each, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on scale and long-term liveability for both downsizers and intergenerational households.

Orientation and outlook were central to the planning of the building. The apartments are positioned to maximise views to the north and east across Chatswood’s heritage precinct, with upper levels capturing glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. South-facing apartments gain distant views toward the Sydney CBD and Harbour Bridge, while the building’s configuration intentionally reduces western exposure at lower levels to minimise overlooking toward the nearby railway corridor.

The external design references the character of the surrounding conservation area without replicating it directly. A brick podium anchors the building to the street and introduces a series of architectural portals that draw inspiration from the nearby Chatswood Presbyterian Church. Above this base, the tower shifts to a lighter, more open expression defined by horizontal lines and carefully detailed balconies that balance privacy with outward views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151353 project_image_fid=353254]

Toward the top of the tower, AJC introduces a distinctive lantern-like element formed by sliding screens. These screens provide both solar shading and privacy while also creating a visual marker for the building within the Chatswood skyline. The feature reinforces the architectural intent of the project, a structure that is visually refined while still responding to the practical requirements of apartment living.

Inside the residences, interior architecture focuses on clear spatial flow and practical everyday use. Open-plan living areas connect directly to large balconies, extending the internal living spaces outward and allowing natural light to move deeper into the apartments. Kitchens are designed as central working spaces with premium appliances and carefully selected materials, positioned to serve both daily living and entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151353 project_image_fid=353256]

Bathrooms follow a similarly restrained design language, using refined fixtures and materials to create calm, functional spaces, while wardrobe areas adopt a gallery-style layout with integrated lighting and generous storage. These elements reflect a broader design approach that prioritises clarity, functionality, and durability over decorative gestures.

Positioned just a short walk from Chatswood Interchange, residents will have direct access to rail, metro, retail, and dining. The Metro extension allows travel from Chatswood to Martin Place in approximately 11 minutes, placing the CBD within easy reach for residents while maintaining the convenience of a walkable North Shore neighbourhood.

One-bedroom apartments at The Anderson start from $1,022,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151353]

How AJC designed The Anderson to bring oversized apartment living to Chatswood

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bridgewell-development">Bridgewell Capital</a> has lodged plans for a major mixed-use apartment development in the heart of Maroubra, seeking a significant uplift in height and density controls to deliver 120 apartments and a 120-place childcare centre near Maroubra Junction.

The State Significant Development application, filed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, covers a 3,270 sqm amalgamated site at 251-257 Maroubra Road and 133-135 Garden Street. The proposal includes a concurrent rezoning that would increase the maximum building height from 12 metres to 35.6 metres and lift the floor space ratio to 4.02:1.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bka-architecture">BKA Architecture</a>, the project would replace a mechanic’s workshop and several detached homes with a 10-storey residential building above four basement levels.

The scheme comprises 120 apartments, including 27 affordable housing units to be managed by a community housing provider for 15 years, alongside 203 basement car spaces and 92 bicycle spaces. A childcare centre occupying nearly 900 sqm of floor area would sit at ground level and be capable of accommodating 120 children and 22 staff.

<img alt="First look: Bridgewell plots 120 apartments and childcare centre in Maroubra town centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="038a0639-f9e4-4303-8fcc-d43e73fa480f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bridgewell%20pers.png?VersionId=eGBElxmNqJW.YF3JFYgHTnPgAstdyXR3" />

According to the Design Report, the project has been conceived as a “gateway proposal” that responds to Maroubra’s evolving urban character and its proximity to the town centre.

“Designed to complement the character of Maroubra’s town centre, this gateway proposal features a building scale that matches its surroundings,” the report stated.

“It integrates residential units above a ground-level childcare centre, fulfilling the strategic objectives of the Randwick City Council Masterplan.”

The apartment mix is weighted toward larger residences aimed at families and downsizers, reflecting changing demographics in the Randwick LGA and increasing demand for medium-density housing close to transport and amenity.

BKA Architecture said the proposal seeks to reinforce Maroubra Road as a civic spine while improving the pedestrian experience around the site through landscaping and upgraded public interfaces.

“The design capitalises on the following site opportunities: reinforcement of Maroubra Road as a civic spine, enhancement of pedestrian pathways and the public interface via new landscaping, and strong market demand for two and three-bedroom apartments to support families and down-sizers,” the Design Report noted.

<img alt="First look: Bridgewell plots 120 apartments and childcare centre in Maroubra town centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee509779-3c7e-4918-b03d-761c785459d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bridgewell%20site.png?VersionId=eZC4Ruyn.C7O.Qwfr1SVeP5.ds1c5.66" />

The building has been designed with setbacks and articulation intended to transition between the commercial intensity of Maroubra Junction and the surrounding lower-scale residential neighbourhoods. Communal open space is proposed on level one, while upper-level apartments would secure views towards Port Botany, Maroubra Beach and Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The development sits around 200 metres east of the Maroubra Junction intersection of Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road, within one of Randwick’s identified strategic centres. The site is close to Pacific Square Shopping Centre, major bus routes, schools, parks and future cycling infrastructure proposed under the Maroubra Junction Masterplan.

The Maroubra proposal aligns with broader NSW Government initiatives encouraging higher-density housing near established centres and transport corridors, particularly where affordable housing is incorporated.

Bridgewell is also working on a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/goldfields-sets-the-stage-as-quartet-milton-launches">new 55-unit project in Killara</a>.

First look: Bridgewell plots 120 apartments and childcare centre in Maroubra town centre

National diversified developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has launched its latest Brisbane apartment project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet Milton</a>, marking its entry into the sought-after inner-city suburb just two kilometres from the CBD.

The circa $100 million development will rise 18 storeys and deliver 131 apartments, offering a mix of one, two-, and three-bedroom residences.

Ideally located on Manning Street, Quartet residents will be within 300 metres of Milton Station, 500 metres from the Milton Ferry Wharf, and a short walk to Milton Markets, the iconic Park Road, as well as a range of breweries and cafés.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

Designed by architecture firm <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, the building features a simple, gridded façade paired with generous glazing to enhance views, maximise aspect, and capture both sunrises and sunsets from within the apartments and their generously sized balconies.

Residents will have access to a 1,000 sqm rooftop, curated to balance wellness and entertaining, in response to increasing demand for wellness-focused shared spaces.

"We've approached Quartet Milton as a complete lifestyle offering, not just apartments, but a place where the design, amenities, and location all work together in a meaningful way," says Goldfields Managing Director Lachlan Thompson.

"Buyers are looking for that sense of confidence, knowing the vision has been carefully thought through not just by us as developers, but by all our consultants appointed to bring this together, and that it will be delivered to the standard they expect."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Cera Stribley Co-Founder and Managing Principal Domenic Cerantonio said the rooftop is designed to feel like a place "you'd genuinely use every day."

"A 25-metre pool framed by city and mountain views, wellness areas, and private dining spaces for evenings with friends create a setting designed for year-round comfort and effortless Brisbane living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

In addition to the 25-metre pool, the rooftop will include a sauna, cold plunge, fully equipped gym, and zen gardens, all complemented by panoramic views of the city and river.

While the building is expected to appeal predominantly to owner-occupiers, Goldfields anticipates interest from investors seeking strong rental returns, driven by the project's design, location, and the city's projected capital growth in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367991]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>, widely regarded as one of Brisbane's most desirable inner-ring suburbs due to its lifestyle offering and proximity to the CBD, has experienced a shortage of new apartment supply in recent years.

Goldfields is already active in the Brisbane residential market through its Ripley Valley masterplanned community, Hayfield. The 109-hectare neighbourhood is already home to more than 300 families and features a large community park.

Plans for the precinct include a 4 km running track, future schools, and retail and commercial amenities, all within a 35-minute drive of the Brisbane CBD.

Goldfields also plans to deliver a new mixed-use tower at 88 Robertson Street in Fortitude Valley, within the James Street precinct. The project will include 16,000 sqm of boutique commercial space, a level of wellness facilities, and a rooftop restaurant and event space, akin to Goldfields House in South Yarra, its flagship mixed-use development on Chapel Street, which is crowned by the Beverly Rooftop bar, one of Melbourne’s best-known venues.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Goldfields sets the stage as Quartet Milton launches

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?

The video marketing for the One Barangaroo penthouse has gone live.

The 8101 apartment video creators advise "the residence is a milestone in Australian, and indeed global, real estate."

It's been listed by Knight Frank.

The penthouse spans two full floors with over 800 square metres space.

At 245 metres above sea level its offers multiple entertaining areas with over 6-metre high floor to ceiling windows.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="704" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/one_barangaroo_4.jpg" width="1200" />

There are five bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms.

The master suite comes with large walk in robes, twin rain shower and steam room, separate office, private plunge pool, cinema room, gym, and over 50sqm of open air space across three protected balconies.&nbsp;

A feature staircase connects the two floors, as does a private internal lift.

The interiors – designed by New York outfit Meyer Davis – take advantage of the lofty, light-filled spaces and feature light European oak flooring throughout, accompanied by plush carpets in the bedrooms.&nbsp;

The penthouse boasts private plunge pool, the only residence in the building.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="643" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/one_barangaroo_pool.jpg" width="1200" />

There is also access to the resident’s pool on level six, hotel pool on level five, and spa designed by Blainey North.

This exclusive sale is being managed by Knight Frank. The four minute video was produced by Golden Eye Media.

James Packer’s $60 million purchase ranks as the building's priciest deal, secured in 2017 for a two-storey apartment.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="654" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/crown_baragaroo_3.jpg" width="1200" />

It was 2019 when there was a deal next door, worth more than $140 million for the most expensive residence in Australia, when the top three floors of Lendlease’s One Sydney Harbour at Barangaroo South were sold off the plan.

The sale includes the two-storey penthouse atop the Renzo Piano-designed building and a sub-penthouse directly below.

Completion is expected in late 2023.

The Boyd penthouse in the ANZ tower in the Sydney CBD recently sold for $60 million.

There has been no price guide given on the One Barangaroo penthouse.

But Knight Frank's latest Prime Global Forecast 2021/2022 shows that globally, luxury residential prices are forecast to rise faster than envisaged, and that Sydney is the world’s leading city for Knight Frank’s 2021 prime forecast, with luxury prices in the city expected to rise 10% over the next year. 
&nbsp; 
Lockdowns and the COVID pandemic haven’t yet had a negative impact on Sydney’s luxury property market – in fact, they are carrying it from strength to strength, with wealthy Aussies purchasing luxury properties domestically instead of overseas. 
&nbsp; 
The report shows Sydney is the leading global city for prime price forecast in 2021, with luxury prices expected to rise in Sydney by 10% over the year.

Sydney will continue its reign in the top spot in 2022, when, together with London, both cities are forecast to see prime prices accelerate 7% year-on-year.

The first quarter of 2021 saw 1,429 prime sales recorded in Sydney – the highest quarterly figure on record for the city. Despite recent lockdowns, momentum is being maintained.

Spanning two full floors and at over 800 square metres, the penthouse comes with over 6-metre high floor to ceiling windows

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

One Barangaroo penthouse video marketing gives inside look

South-West Sydney rezonings in Glenfield, Leppington and Lowes Creek Maryland are set to create more than 16,000 homes. 
&nbsp; 
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the NSW Government was responding to the increased demand for greenfield housing as a result of the pandemic.

&quot;We are accelerating these rezonings,&rdquo; Mr Stokes said. 
&nbsp; 
The rezoning of Leppington Precinct stages two and five will allow for up to 2,400 new homes.

The Lowes Creek Maryland rezoning (above and below) will support 7,000 homes for 20,000 people.

<img alt="" height="2927" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/marylands_lowes_creek_3_05a.jpg" width="4500" /> 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re also finalising the Glenfield Precinct Place Strategy, expected to create up to 7,000 new homes and 2,900 new jobs. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;More homes need more parks, that&rsquo;s why as part of these land releases we&rsquo;ve secured 75 hectares of parkland at Glenfield, 62 hectares at Lowes Creek Maryland and 16 hectares at Leppington.&rdquo;

Tom Forrest, CEO at the Urban Taskforce welcomed the announcement on the rezoning of land for 16,000 new homes in South-West Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79245] 
&nbsp; 
&quot;This announcement shows, that with political will and strong leadership, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment can take the lead to deliver strong growth in housing approvals to drive down the price of new homes. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;This shows what DPIE can do when given clear political leadership.&nbsp;

&quot;State led rezoning will be the most efficient way to get big projects going. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;The Minister for Planning, in June, committed to fast-tracking the decisions on these precincts.&nbsp;

&quot;The commitment acknowledged that there is a housing supply crisis in NSW, and this is driving up the prices of homes, making them unaffordable.&quot; 
&nbsp; 
Forrest added the most recent new homes completion data was again disappointing for Greater Sydney, with new home completions falling well short of the Greater Sydney Commission and NSW Housing Strategy 2021 targets.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93951]

&quot;The NSW Housing Strategy shows we need at least 40,000 approvals for Greater Sydney every year for the next 20 years.

&quot;In the year to March &ndash; there were on 29,500 new home completions despite the construction industry going flat out during 2020 and the first COVID wave. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Reversing the drop-off in new home and apartment approvals is critical to solving the housing affordability crisis.&nbsp;

&quot;We will need many more announcements like this if the Minister is committed to making a serious dent into the real, accumulated shortage of approximately 100,000 new homes.&nbsp;

&quot;The same attention and enthusiasm given to the South-West needs to be extended across Greater Sydney for all housing types,&quot; Forrest said.

The rezoning of Leppington Precinct stages two and five will allow for up to 2,400 new homes while in Lowes Creek Maryland, rezoning will support approximately 7,000 homes for 20,000 people

jchancellor

South-West Sydney rezonings will see 16,400 new homes

Construction needs to keep working, urged David Cremona, the national director of construction at Meriton, on Sydney radio today.

He advised Australia's biggest builder Meriton have around 300 staff plus 3500 workers caught up in the construction industry shutdown that closed sites from Monday morning across Sydney.

The NSW government’s announcement over the weekend there would be a two week building shutdown.

Harry Triguboff, who has a dozen apartment buildings under construction, said that the building industry had been keeping the economy buoyant.

"If you stop that you kill everything. By us building you keep everything going, including suppliers,” he said.

“It’s terrible, because if you go along the freeways the only traffic is trucks and tradies," he told The Australian.

“All we are doing is counting how many people have it,” he said.

“There is a short supply of accommodation in apartments. We have dropped the numbers we are building by half,” Triguboff said.

Cremona told 2GB's Ray Hadley that he'd been constructing faster than approvals were being processed under the Berejiklian government.

He said there would be a $750 million direct weekly hit to the NSW economy, plus an indirect $2 billion hit through the supply chain if the fortnight shutdown continued.

"We have means to manage the outbreak.... if we want this V-shaped re-bound, the NSW Government needs to take housing industry seriously," Cremona said.

"It has been an absolute joke ever since Berejiklian has been incharge approvals have been coming down... I'm building quicker than my town planners are getting approvals," Cremorna said 
 
The development lobby group Urban Taskforce said the close-down of construction in NSW was an "overreach" that will cost the economy billions of dollars.

The NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has so far withstood the backlash with word leaking that the covid cabinet was split with opposition to the move from Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, the Health Minister Brad Hazzard, and Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres.

“Having the risk of thousands of people being mobile at one time, many of them coming from communities that have had cases, was too big a risk,” Ms Berejiklian told a press conference on Monday.

“The Treasurer and key senior public servants are meeting with the construction sector daily to make sure that when they go back to work there are safe places,” she said. 

“We can’t have people, who may not have symptoms, visiting multiple worksites, visiting sites with hundreds of workers and spreading the disease.”

Multiplex will have about 2000 people out of work over the next fortnight.

BIS Oxford Economics estimated about 280,000 construction sector workers will be directly impacted, with more indirect layoffs in the transport, manufacturing and wholesale sectors.

Melbourne’s second wave of Covid-19 saw onsite workers for major construction sites scaled back to 25 per cent of normal workforce.

Smaller projects were allowed to proceed with up to five people per site, while large-scale government projects had their workers onsite halved.


BIS Oxford Economics estimated about 280,000 construction sector workers will be directly impacted


Sydney apartment construction needs to keep working: David Cremona, Meriton national construction director

Kew Schofields in Sydney&rsquo;s north-west has proven popular to first home buyers thanks to its balance of affordability and convenience.

Located in Sydney&rsquo;s fastest-growing region, the master-planned community from&nbsp;Positive Investment Enterprise&nbsp;offers&nbsp;2,700 sqm of retail space, parks and recreational facilities.

Positioned between Rouse Hill town centre and the future Schofields town centre, residents&nbsp;are within quick access of&nbsp;caf&eacute;s, restaurants and retail.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93945]

Kew Schofields second stage,&nbsp;Georgette, follows on from the successful first release Rose Garden. Georgette has&nbsp;one-bedroom apartments from $440,000 and two beds from $535,000.

Designed by&nbsp;PBD Architects, the apartments feature&nbsp;large windows, abundant light and contemporary finishes.

Ground-floor apartments have private access to courtyards, while top-floor apartments enjoy north-facing views and an expansive rooftop terrace.

First home buyers and investors are buying with confidence given the infrastructure pipeline in the area and the nearby business centres.

Kew Schofields is being developed near the&nbsp;future Western Sydney Airport&nbsp;at Badgerys Creek and major employment hubs in Norwest and Marsden Park.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93952]

Kew Schofields&nbsp;is also located nearby Berowra Valley National Park, lifestyle amenities and golf courses. &nbsp;

The two nearby train lines,&nbsp;Schofields&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tallawong, connect to the North Shore line, Richmond line and the Sydney CBD.

Located in Sydney’s fastest-growing region, the master-planned community itself offers 2,700 sqm of retail space, parks and recreational facilities just a stones throw away

jordan_55689

What's within walking distance from Kew Schofields? Learn more about the new apartment development in Sydney's west

The toughening of COVID-19 restrictions in Greater Sydney will cause massive financial loss for apartment construction companies in spite of state and federal support, industry groups say.

The forecast came after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that as of 11.59pm 18th July that all construction would pause until July 30.

Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter advised he supported the need for a tougher health response but the economic impawould be immense.

The shutdown of the construction sector alone would trigger a loss of $800 million to $1 billion per week, he advised.

Hunter told the Ray Hadley 2GB program that NSW needed to implement the Victorian style measures which kept construction sites operating at reduced levels (25%) during its extended shutdown last year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=150460]

The current Victorian lockdown sees construction continuing for unoccupied premises and new builds. &nbsp;Construction and renovations, including pool installation, painting, and landscaping, must not proceed at occupied Melbourne premises, excepting emergency repairs and maintenance.

Senior government sources had told Hadley that a review of the ban was imminent, but Hadley later advised that he&#39;d gleaned the decision would not be reversed.

Construction workers, other than those living within the hot spot municipalities, can continue to head into regional NSW for work.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93954]

Over the weekend Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott called on the NSW government &ldquo;to find a way through&rdquo; the ban on the construction industry.

&ldquo;The shutdown of construction will have a massive economic impact because this is a sector with a long tail through the economy,&rdquo; said Ms Westacott.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We have to find a way through on construction as a matter of urgency because there are big financial and health and safety impacts that flow from a sector-wide pause.

&ldquo;Big projects aren&rsquo;t a tap that can simply be turned on or off, so we need to start planning now to reopen.&rdquo;

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that as of 11.59pm Sunday all construction would pause until July 30.

NSW Government instructs total Sydney apartment construction shutdown

A waterfront Drummoyne apartment topped Sydney&#39;s weekend lockdown online auction results.

The four bedroom, two bathroom apartment at fetched $3.95 million.

Marketed by McGrath as having house-like proportions, it last sold at $2 million in 2010.

The waterfront block of four shares a communal function room opening onto level lawn and the water.

The last sale in the complex was in 2017 at $2.5 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31751]

CoreLogic calculated a preliminary 70.6% amid Sydney&#39;s 214 apartment and townhouse auction offerings.

There was a $950,000 median for the offerings, compared with $1.55 million for Sydney houses.

Nationally there were 535 apartment offerings with a 66.8% success rate at a $718,000 median sale price.

The four bedroom apartment at 3/353 Victoria Place, Drummoyne fetched $3.95 million

$3.95 million Drummoyne apartment sale tops Sydney's weekend auctions

Two years ago DKO Architecture, Archer Office and landscaper Oculus&nbsp;won the&nbsp;design for the redevelopment of the historic Bidura House and adjoining site in Sydney&#39;s inner west suburb of Glebe.

Now developer Vision Land Glebe, associated with developers Lina Jin and Yeulai Zhou, has lodged plans for the $32 million development at 357 Glebe Point Road.

It will see the brutalist building, previously occupied by a children&#39;s court house and remand centre, demolished and replaced with four&nbsp;modern, green-focused apartment buildings comprising&nbsp;58 apartments, as well as seven townhouses.

<img alt="" height="855" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bidura_townhouses.jpg" width="1200" />

There will be 14&nbsp;one-bedroom apartments, 31 two bedders and 13 three-bedroom apartments.

The historic Bidura House, dating back to 1860, has been used for commercial purposes over recent years, however will be restored and converted back in to a residential home.

Bidura House&nbsp;was the home of Edmund Blacket while he was designing the Great Hall of the University of Sydney. The walls are of handmade bricks, rendered to give the appearance of stone coursing.

Some 959 sqm, over 25 per cent of the total 3,794 sqm development, will be committed to communal open spaces.

&quot;The design will provide an appropriate landscape curtilage to the heritage Bidura House and contrast with contemporary planting species, style, function and use,&quot; the landscape proposal to the City of Sydney Council read.

<img alt="" height="847" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bidura_apartment_block.jpg" width="1200" />

&quot;The landscape design goes beyond the &lsquo;green overlay&rsquo; to provide meaningful multi-layered responsive and functional landscape integrating both the public and private landscape.

&quot;Vertical green fa&ccedil;ades improve visual and temperature amenity, productive rooftop gardens educate and produce food for residents while species design intends to improve the local biodiversity on a micro level.&quot;

&quot;The landscape architectural response proposal for Bidura aims to create a communal verdant landscape that is absolutely integrated with the built form of the proposed development, its history and character of Glebe.&quot;

Project snapshot:

- Demolition of the existing multistorey concrete Metropolitan Remand Centre (MRC) building, except for some basement walls outside of the proposed basement, which will remain in situ, and associated site preparation works

- Construction of a seven (7) storey RFB with total GFA of 7,193m2 over shared basement behind the Bidura House Group and along the Ferry Lane frontage comprised of: o 14x 1-bedroom apartments; o 31x 2-bedroom apartments; and o 13x 3-bedroom apartments.

- Construction of seven (7) x two (2) storey plus attic terraces facing Ferry Lane and Avon Street frontages

- Use and conservation of the Bidura House Group for a singular residential use in accordance with the HIS, CMP, as well as new garage for future residential parking spaces;

It will see a brutalist building demolished and replaced with four modern, green-focused apartment buildings



Glebe's historic Bidura House part of apartment and townhouse redevelopment

The Sydney CBD is set for a new mixed-use residential and office development.

Fife Capital, the alternative asset manager led by Allan Fife, has lodged plans for two towers in the heart of the CBD, one residential and one commercial&nbsp;at 114-120 Castlereagh Street and 139 Elizabeth Street.

Fife paid $46 million for the two sites last year&nbsp;when buying from the hotelier Kim Maloney, the publican at Hotel Bondi.

114-120 Castlereagh, currently home to George Bosch Chambers,&nbsp;spans eight storeys and dates back to the mid 1920s. The St James Hotel currently occupies the lower ground, ground and first level.

That building will stay, with GML Heritage stating the building is culturally significant and should be retained and conserved, despite no heritage overlay of the 1920s-built building which underwent a renovation in the mid-1980s.

139 Elizabeth, to the rear of the Castlereagh building fronting Hyde Park, is a four-storey masonry building. With no significant enough heritage or streetscape impact, 139 Elizabeth will be demolished and make way for the 17-level apartment tower, which will home just 26 luxury apartments.

<img alt="" height="932" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/castle_location_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The development will be located across the road from&nbsp;the well-known David Jones Men&rsquo;s Store, which will be redeveloped by CBUS in to a 22-level residential tower at 77 Market Street. Source: City of Sydney

There will be&nbsp;one, two and three bedroom apartments, and a two-level, four bedroom penthouse across levels 15 and 16.

The majority of the units will face the park, with some facing Castlereagh Street and the lower levels facing Elizabeth Street and will contain wintergreens. A landscaped communal open space has been designed above the commercial building at level 10.&nbsp;The roof terrace provides communal facilities including BBQ area, outdoor dining and recreation areas.

<img alt="" height="805" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/castle_3_plan.jpeg" width="1200" /> 
The proposed Elizabeth Street frontage. Source: City of Sydney Council

Fife commissioned the Chippendale-based Tony Owen Partners to prepare the development application. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&ldquo;Whilst the site is tight, the proposal maximises the potential for landscaped are in this small inner city site,&rdquo; the design verification statement&nbsp;read.

Tony Owen Partners designed the 17-storey residential tower The&nbsp;Eliza, which adjoins one of the building&#39;s on Elizabeth Street for the Ceerose Group. 
 
<a href="/developments/sydney-nsw?source_news_article_id=106443&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/template_photoshop_sydneycbd.png" width="1200" /></a>

There was a design advisory panel held between the City of Sydney and Tony Owen Partners&nbsp;in February where issues about the development were discussed&nbsp;and resolved.

Overview of proposal:&nbsp;

&bull; Retention of retail space on the ground floor and basement of Castlereagh St building.&nbsp;

&bull; Retention of the fa&ccedil;ade and majority of building fabric of Castlereagh St building.&nbsp;

&bull; Existing levels of the Castlereagh St building to be refurbished as a commercial building as present.&nbsp;

&bull; Additional levels above the exiting building on Castlereagh St containing residential uses.

&bull; Additional cores and structure if required to support additional built form.&nbsp;

&bull; A new building on Elizabeth Street consisting of residential uses.

The development also located up the road from the soon-to-be-completed Castle Residences, the luxury 131 apartment by Urban Development Sydney which sits at 203 Castlereagh Street.

The Candalepas Associates-designed, 36-level tower, which incorporates hotel suites as well as residential apartments, is set for completion in December.

Urban Development Sydney has just relaunched the $18 million penthouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=150461]

Fife paid $46 million for the two sites in 2020 when buying from the hotelier Kim Maloney, the publican at Hotel Bondi.

Exclusive: Fife Capital lodge Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD mixed-use apartment and office development

Setting a new benchmark for residential developments in Western Sydney, Auburn Square is the latest development delivered by property developers Tian An.

From its roots as one of Australia&rsquo;s oldest listed property developers, then known as Port Bouvard, Tian An has grown to deliver quality residential projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79239]

Auburn Square has been designed for ultimate day-to-day liveability, with its precinct vision largely inspired by the nearby Auburn Botanical Gardens.

Designed by Rothelowman, the development features 2,000sqm of green space, an impressive rooftop garden, outdoor fitness area, film projector and screen and barbeque space.

Each apartment features contemporary design elements, high-end finishes and premium inclusions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79247]

Situated a three-minute walk from Auburn Central, the tower is located within a vibrant village and is just moments from transport to take you to the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs.

Retail spaces are located along the ground floor level of Northumberland Rd, connecting directly to Auburn Town Centre.

Urban takes a look at three of the featured floorplans available at Auburn Square.

1. One-Bed

<img alt="" height="844" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-07-13_at_3.16.41_pm.png" width="1228" />

This one-bedroom floorplan is one of the many configurations available at Auburn Square, delivering one bedroom, one bathroom and a car space.

Boasting an internal area of 50sqm to 63sqm, the homes feature an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, with a choice of light or contrast colour schemes. 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79242]

SMEG appliances can be found throughout the kitchen and most one-bedroom apartments feature island benches.

Auburn Square&rsquo;s contemporary design also sees feature walls in the kitchen, a balcony and a built-in robe in the bedroom.

2. Two-Bed

<img alt="" height="1024" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-07-13_at_3.16.50_pm.png" width="1236" />

The two-bedroom apartment floorplan shown above displays a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, also featuring a parking space. &nbsp;

Two-bedders boast an internal size between 75sqm and 88sqm, as well as a balcony for outdoor entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79240]

Residents have the option to include a bathroom in the contemporary residence.

Most two-bedroom apartments include storage rooms, while the master bedroom includes an ensuite and walk-in robe.

3. Three-Bed

<img alt="" height="954" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2021-07-13_at_3.16.57_pm.png" width="1220" />

The family-sized, three-bedroom residence is the largest offering at Auburn Square, set over an internal area of 96sqm to 110sqm.

Each bedroom offers sliding doors to the extensive balcony, providing abundant light throughout the day that opens up the space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79250]

The apartment featured delivers walk-in robes, an open-plan living and dining area, as well as a generously sized laundry.

The apartment includes storage rooms, parking space and SMEG appliances in the kitchen with the optional upgrade to Westinghouse.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=7317]

Urban takes a look at three of the featured floorplans available at Auburn Square

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Floorplan focus: The various apartment configurations at Western Sydney’s Auburn Square

With Sydney&#39;s luxury market proving resilient, many buyers are seeing the benefit of investing in a high-end development at affordable prices because downsizing does not mean downgrading.

Whether your children have moved out or you&#39;re wanting to save money, downsizing provides a great option for couples of all ages.

Below are five of the best downsizer apartments on the market in Sydney to help you on your journey towards finding a new home.

1. Bloom Arncliffe 
Developer: Wingate 
Two-bedroom apartments from $699,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201 project_image_fid=89013]

Offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments across seven state-of-the-art buildings, Bloom is the latest development to hit Arncliffe.

Placed in a prime position between the city and the coast, residents enjoy the benefits of being close to Sydney&rsquo;s southern beaches, as well as the Illawarra line&rsquo;s direct link to the CBD, the Inner West and Bondi.

Designed by EJE Architecture, the home features spacious island benches, walk-in pantries, spacious floorplans, and entertaining space.

2. Auburn Square, Auburn 
Developer: Tian An 
Two-bedroom apartments from $615,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79239]

Auburn is a hub of connectivity situated in the geographical heart of Sydney, offering the benefits of suburban living, with great transport accessibility to business centres including Parramatta and the CBD.

Auburn Square has been designed for ultimate day-to-day liveability.&nbsp;Its precinct vision is largely inspired by the nearby Auburn Botanical Gardens,&nbsp;aiming&nbsp;to connect residents and foster a community feel.

Designed by Rothelowman, the development features 2,000sqm of green space, an impressive rooftop garden, outdoor fitness area, film projector and screen and barbeque space.

3. Eminence, Zetland 
Developer: Meriton 
One-bedroom apartments from $745,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21882 project_image_fid=71328]

Eminence is a trio of boutique buildings commanding four street frontages nestled between the transformational Green Square precinct and the CBD.

As well as 1,840sqm of lush podium gardens, the development by Meriton offers luxurious five-star amenities for year-round resort enjoyment.

Directly across from your home at Eminence, Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre features beach-inspired pools, open-air training facilities, boardwalks and playgrounds.

4. Arcadia, North Lane Cove 
Developer: Dasco Australia 
Price for two-bedroom apartments available upon request

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6912 project_image_fid=153916]

Close by Chatswood&rsquo;s commercial, entertainment and dining offerings and the thriving Lane Cove Village, Arcadia is a sophisticated and elegant residence on Sydney&rsquo;s Lower North Shore.

Boasting rooftop gardens, a gym, barbeque areas and a dedicated workspace lounge, the development boasts great amenities for downsizers and first-home buyers alike.

Designed by PSEC Project Services, Arcadia residences include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and abundant natural light, while some residences boast dual terraces and balcony access from the master bedroom.

5. Destination, Macquarie Park 
Developer: Meriton 
One-bedroom apartments from $600,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8669 project_image_fid=71739]

Located within NSW&rsquo;s second-largest business district, Destination offers lots of opportunities to downsizers hoping to take advantage of Macquarie Park&rsquo;s competitive advantages.

Delivered by Meriton and designed by DKO Architecture, Destination offers serene garden terraces, timeless design and views from every angle.

The development provides large apartment layouts with house-like proportions, tailored materials and classic detailing.

A look at five downsizer apartments on the market in Sydney to help you on your journey towards finding a new home

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