One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

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>

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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?

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It was 1997 when actor Claudia Karvan bought at <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bondi Beach</a>, paying $285,000 for her apartment.
As she now resides at her <a target="_blank" href="/news">Redfern </a>warehouse with her husband and children, the Bondi pad has been listed for February 28 auction.
It's been described as "more like a semi in layout and ambiance" by its marketing agent Mary Anne Cronin and Sam Ryba at Raine &amp; Horne Bondi Beach.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/Apartment-Unit-Flat/NSW/Bondi-Beach/?adid=2010249102">The two-bedroom Art Deco apartment </a>with decking is set on the top floor of a block of four on Beach Road.
Before Karvan's purchase the flat had previously traded at $235,000 in 1995; $165,000 in 1991 and $85,000 in 1987.
It comes with one car space.
Title Tattle stumbled across the listing before its first Saturday open for inspection, but based on recent sales the agents are suggesting $800,000 plus, but will value your feedback.
The neighbour's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bresicwhitney.com.au/real-estate/id/property/6637/bondi-beach/4-42-beach-road/#top">sold for $985,000 in 2010 </a>through Seaton Jones at BresicWhitney.
It had previously sold at $650,000 in 2003 and at $387,000 in 1999 and at $182,000 in 1992.
The apartment size is 101 square metres including the deck.
The block's last sale was $805,000 last May on the ground floor.
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Actor Claudia Karvan lists her Bondi Beach apartment

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{qtube vid:=q3W5oGX70dk&amp;list=UU2ZDnSzVkgtP5qVMRDXLpCQ}
In our Purchase or Pass segment this week Chris Gray is joined by Arthur Charlaftis, the general manager of Realestate.com.au, to check out another potential investment property in the inner city.
<img alt="fletcherst" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/fletcherst.jpg">
It’s a two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit with a garage in a security block of 18 units. It is <a href="/news">7.3 kilometres from the CBD</a> and less than one kilometre from the heart of two neighbouring suburbs. It’s recently been transformed by a designer renovation, so there is nothing to do. The unit is at the rear of the unit block and all rooms open up to a quiet and leafy balcony. The block has an outdoor pool and strata fees are approximately $1,000 per quarter.
Chris Gray: So what are your initial thoughts there, Arthur?
Arthur Charlaftis: So Chris I was going to ask you, it’s a large block, and I know you do a lot of work on these sort of developments, so what’s your view on large blocks?
Chris: I’ve never really been a fan of large blocks, the main thing is it’s just really hard to get decisions made and generally there’s the lifts, pools, gyms and all that sort of thing. On a positive note, there’s always a grey area. This is only 18 units, so it’s not that much more than the normal 12 I would usually go for. It’s not a high rise, it’s a walk up, so you generally don’t get all those cars. Something like that I’m not overly fussed about, I could get over that. 
Arthur: Do you think that, in terms of the balcony and the multiple access, or different entries, do you think that helps?
Chris: Oh, that’s absolutely perfect. So many people these days want to live in a house but can’t afford it. This is $740,000 and you only get a two-bedroom unit, so if you get some outdoor living, it’s perfect.
Arthur: What about the strata fees? I noted they’re $1,000 per quarter. That seems high, what would you expect to pay?
Chris: I guess the pools another thing that’s in there. This pool I don’t mind too much, it’s an outdoor pool, it probably wouldn’t be heated, it would be low maintenance versus one with a jacuzzine and life guards and all that sort of jazz. The strata fees are expensive, normally we would be paying $600 to $700. Again, it’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s definitely up there. You really have to look at what your money is paying for there.
Arthur: I think the other thing this one is already renovated, so again, if you have an investor who wants to pick something up and put straight into rental, it’s got a pretty good return. If it’s someone who wants to add some additional value, it’s going to be pretty hard to do. 
Chris: There’s always pros and cons so it always depends on that individual person. What are your thoughts, purchase or pass on this one?
Arthur: I would probably pass. It has a couple of things that would probably sway me against it.
Chris: My thoughts are pretty similar. I think this is a very appealing unit and easy for people to fall in love with because it’s already been renovated. There are a number of potential negatives, with it big a big block, having a pool, no chance of adding value and high strata fees. Individually I can get over all of those issues, but add it together, all in one unit, I think it’s too many downsides. While I have looked at buying in this block, on this occasion I’m going to say pass.
Property Observer notes the property sold for $740,100 in December and has an asking rent of $850 a week. This offers a rental yield of 6%.
It last sold in 2009 for $595,000.
 Chris Gray is a buyers' agent at <a href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">Empire</a>. He is host of Your Property Empire on Fridays on the Sky News Business Channel.
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Pass or Purchase: A two-bedroom Bondi unit

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Four of the recently renovated apartments in the  <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-bellevue+hill-112462191" target="_blank">Bellevue Hill 1950s block Baxter </a>– complete with retro kitchens and period-style bathrooms – have sold prior to its February launch.
Located at 85 Drumalbyn Road, the most expensive two-bedroom apartment sale to data has been $985,000.
The other three sold apartments ranged from $695,000 and $900,000.
The remaining five two-bedroom apartments and one studio are available from $755,000 to $785,000.
Deemed to be a good example of the International Style with Abstract Modern style influences, <a href="https://mondell.com.au/projects/current/bellevue-hill--baxter" target="_blank">Mondell Property Group </a>bought the 1950s retro apartment complex in late 2011 for $4.4 million.
<img alt="baxter" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/baxter.jpg">
The developers spent $350,000 plus on refurbishing the 10 apartments under the watchful interior design by SJB designers.
It was architect LT Rayney who purchased the block of land in 1957 as a personal investment and then constructed the residential flat building in 1958.
Laurence Rayner had graduated in architecture from the Technical University of Budapest in 1934. His father had been a master builder and his uncle an architect.
While his architectural education did not focus on the emerging Bauhaus movement, Rayner reportedly admired Hungarian contemporaries who came to Sydney, including Emery Balint and George Molnar.
Anticipating the start of WWII, Rayner emigrated to Australia in 1939 and worked with Cyril Ruwald in Sydney with some initial projects including pubs for Tooth's Breweries.
In 2005, the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Woollahra</a> Council commissioned an assessment of the building to assess whether the building had potential heritage significance.
The assessment was completed by restoration architect Clive Lucas, who said the building had some local heritage significance but no state heritage significance. 
“The building is an interesting example of modernist design; however it is not of sufficient significance to warrant listing on the Woollahra LEP,” said Lucas.
Chris Russell from Mondell Property Group says he expects the remaining apartments to sell at the weekend launch.
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Late 1950s International Style Bellevue Hill restored beauty

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A 1962-built award winning architectural home designed by Russell Jack of Allen Jack + Cottier in Wahroonga has been listed for sale.
Built in the Sydney School style, with references to Frank Lloyd Wright, it was the 1963 winner of the Wilkinson Award for outstanding architecture.
Built to be at one with nature, it is set among landscaped gardens, with fragrant shrubbery, ornamental features, mature Japanese maples and sweeping lawns.
There are also internal courtyards at the house set on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.jenniferaaron.com.au/property/100211-'jacobs-house'-36-cleveland-street"> a 1,534-square-metre Cleveland Street block</a>.
It is for sale with a price expectations of $2 million plus through Jennifer Aaron Real Estate, with offers due by March 7.
'It's truly one of the North Shore's most remarkable residences," Jennifer Aaron said, adding it was in immaculate condition.
"This original Russell Jack home is an exceptional example of the renowned Sydney School," she said.
The north-facing, one-level pavilion-style home has a master bedroom with built in robes and an ensuite, with a separate shower opening to a private courtyard atrium.
Details throughout the four bedroom house include western red cedar cathedral ceiling in the formal living room, clerestory windows and skylights.
It last sold in 1988 for $710,000.
It was elsewhere in <a href="/news">Wahroonga </a>where the architect built in 1956 for himself, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.architecture.com.au/emailnews/national/Heritage/NSW-Jack-House.pdf">the three-bedroom Boundary Road bungalow </a>that won the Sulman Medal a year later, remaining in his family until 2009 when sold for $1.06 million. 
In 2010 a proposed two storey pavilion at the neighbouring Boundary Road property was refused by planning authorities as likely to have an adverse impact on the heritage significance and setting of the adjoining heritage item.
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NSW Wilkinson-winning Russell Jack-designed Wahroonga home listed for sale

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A NSW inquiry into building company collapses has recommended the adoption of Queensland-style regulatory model, including the establishment of a construction industry trust to ensure sub-contractors get paid first should a construction company collapse.
The trust would hold all payments due to a head contractor, sub-contractors, sub-subcontractors and suppliers and be required for all projects valued above $1 million. Sub-contractors would be paid first before head contractors while there would be “no point at which the funds may be ‘scooped’ by the bank.
The final report prepared by Bruce Collins, QC, also recommends the creation of a single statutory and autonomous body, the NSW Building and Construction Authority, modelled along the lines of the Queensland Building Services Authority, which would undertake all of the administrative oversight, regulatory and operational responsibilities currently undertaken by different regulatory bodies.
Under the current system of regulation in NSW, the Office of Fair Trading deals with the regulation of contracting and industry licensing, policy is created by the Building Regulations Advisory Council (BRAC) and disputes handled by the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT).
In all, there are 44 recommendations made by Bruce Collins, QC in his lengthy, final report following a three month independent inquiry.
Other recommendations include a strengthened security of payments scheme and a licensing system for all commercial builders and construction contractors, which would limit participation to projects with demonstrated financial backing and licensed accreditation.
“The first key role of the NSW Building and Construction Commission will be to establish a licensing system which requires all builders and construction contractors operating in the commercial building sector to qualify within a particular graduated licence category according to the net financial backing they are able to demonstrate, in respect of proposed projects,” says Collins.
“The result will be that the work of builders and construction contractors will be restricted to the category of project value for which they have demonstrated financial backing and licenced accreditation.”
The second key role of the proposed new commission would be the financial monitoring and auditing of the accounts and financial affairs of all builders and contractors in NSW, including a “formal set of standard financial and accounting requirements”.
Collins notes in his introduction, that it is “rare to find unanimity upon any issue in a chattering society such as ours, however all those who gave evidence to the Inquiry from all sections of the industry with the exception of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) agreed that it was an essential part of any reform package to bring in a licensing model and regulatory structure along the Queensland lines”.
He notes that the HIA’s views on the Queensland model are “largely shaped by the opposition to the insurance role being included in the model”.
In its submission to the inquiry, the HIA claims the “Queensland Building Services Authority (QBSA) is fundamentally flawed” and says its various functions should be separated.
“The QBSA’s one-stop-shop structure with its multiple functions creates significant opportunities for internal conflicts of interest thereby exposing both the customers of the building industry and licensees to unjust outcomes from their dealings with the Authority,” says the HIA.
Instead, the HIA recommends the creation of a policy body that can take a “whole of government” approach to regulation of the industry.
The establishment of the NSW Building and Construction Authority has the support of the NSW Building Professionals Board, the Master Builders Association and the Building Regulations Advisory Council among others.
The building industry inquiry was instigated by NSW finance minister Greg Pearce in August last year, following the rising number of construction company collapses over the last three years which is estimated to have left thousands of suppliers and subcontractors more than $1 billion out-of-pocket.
High-profile <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/liquidator-appointed-for-collapsed-nsw-builder-reed-construction/2012071155520">building firm collapses</a> last year included Reed Construction, 100-year old firm Kell &amp; Rigby, St Hilliers Construction, Baseline Constructions and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/nahas-construction-latest-aussie-home-builder-to-enter-administration/2012112057964">Nahas Construction</a>.
“The Queensland model presents the only solution to the problem of preventing insolvency in the first place.  The construction trust is important because it operates in a remedial manner after insolvency has begun to cause its problems,” says Collins.
“The inquiry cannot place too much emphasis upon that vital conclusion,” he adds.
“The most effective way to ensure a healthy industry is to ensure the healthy condition of those who aspire to participate in the industry.  That is what is done in Queensland and it is there that it has had its effect upon reducing the number of disastrous insolvencies in the building and construction industry."
The full list of 44 recommendations contained in the report, which is subject to public consultation until February 21, can be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.services.nsw.gov.au/updates/independent-inquiry-construction-industry-insolvency">downloaded from the NSW Department of Finance and Services website</a>.
“We now need to carefully work through the reforms in consultation with those stakeholders and the public,” commented NSW finance minister Greg Pearce following its release.
The NSW government has prepared separate consultation papers on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.services.nsw.gov.au/updates/independent-inquiry-construction-industry-insolvency">statutory construction trusts and the licensing of commercial builders</a>, which are available for public consultation by February 21.
  
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NSW building inquiry recommends construction trusts to protect sub-contractors

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 The rare opportunity to purchase land on a golf course has arisen in Byron Bay, with an asking price over $1 million.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/broken.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="broken">
Located on Broken Head Road, the north-western corner of the 18-hole course comes with approval for a three-lot subdivision.

<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/broken2.jpg" width="470" alt="broken">
To entice potential buyers, the successful purchaser will receive a one year free club membership valued at $850.

<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/broken3.jpg" width="470" alt="broken">
The 2.35-hectare property – to be sold as one lot – will also come with a buggy track to the land.

<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/broken4.jpg" width="470" alt="broken">
Located five kilometres south of the CBD, the<a href="/news"> Byron Bay</a> golf course is situated opposite The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa.

“How many other blocks of this size with privacy do you know of on a golf course, 500 metres to the beach and only minutes from town?” says the secretary manager of the club, Peter Swaby.

The land went to market late November and is being sold by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.byronbaypropertysales.com.au/index.cfm?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=2244896&amp;realestate=62_Broken_Head_Road_BYRON_BAY_NSW_2481">Jeremy Bennett from Byron Bay Property Sales.</a>

Offers close February 18.
 
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Rare opportunity to purchase Byron Bay golf course land

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 The scaffolding at Darlinghurt’s newest residential development – Dominion – is starting to come down to reveal the structure.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/01/dominion3.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="dominion3">
While construction has been underway since early 2011, some 80% of the apartments have sold totalling around $100 million.
Dominion – developed by Cbus Property - will consist of 108 apartments split across three buildings, each seven levels high.

The triangular 4,537-square-metre <a href="/news">Darlinghurst </a>site was previously home to the Caritas health care facility for 140 years.
<img alt="dominionnew" height="388" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/01/dominionnew.jpg">
It is surrounded by Forbes, Burton and Bourke Streets and sits opposite the Darlinghurst Goal, now home to the National Arts School.

The heritage elements of the former site have been restored and reused, including an internal courtyard.

Designed by Group GSA architects, the development will boast sandstone walls, grand gates and palisade iron fencing.

“Dominion is in a culturally significant heritage precinct so we are using traditional, precious materials – but in a progressive way,” says Mark Percy, executive manager of Cbus Property.

Work started on the development in early 2011 and is scheduled for a May 2013 completion date.

Colliers International says the location has been a major selling feature.

“We’re not surprised by the breadth of enquiry for Dominion,” says David Chittenden, director of residential projects at NSW Colliers International.

“Darlinghurst is a popular and cosmopolitan suburb attracting residents through its exciting and convenient lifestyle, cutting-edge fashion boutiques, restaurants, concept stores and sporting and recreational facilities.”

Some 25 apartments out of the 108 are still available and range from two-bedroom to three-bedroom.

The two-bedroom apartments start from $1.2 million and range from 85 square metres to 135 square metres and contain an eight-square-metre balcony.

The three-bedroom apartments start from $1.79 million and range in size from 120 squares metres to 203 square metres and offer balconies from 20 square metres to 60 squares metres.

Colliers International says many of the purchasers have come from the eastern suburbs and the north shore and around 15% of buyers have been from overseas, including several expats.
The $150 million 4,500-square-metre mixed-use development was being developed jointly by St Hilliers and Cbus Property.
When St Hilliers was under financial pressure in mid-2012 it sold out its 50% interests in the Dominion project to its joint venture partner Cbus Property. Cbus Property is now the sole developer/financier/owner.
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Darlinghurst's newest residential development Dominion revealed

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I think it would be fair to say that nobody enjoys blogs where the blogger includes the words "I told you so", but y'know what...
It's true that I've been harping on about this for far too long now, but the most resilient market in Australia was always going to be Sydney's broad middle market.
As reported in <a href="https://propertyupdate.com.au/what-will-happen-to-the-top-end-of-our-property-market-in-2013/" target="_blank">this article here</a>, Sydney's broad middle market is the only sector of Australia's property markets to be at all-time high prices, which is what I have been suggesting on this blog for well over the past year.
Of course, the cheap low-demand sectors of the Sydney market have not performed so well and the top end of the market has also eased, as one would expect given the share market correction and low confidence we have experienced.
But the broad middle sector of that market continues to power along.
It's more than half a decade now since the real scaremongering began in Australian property, but in spite of all the predictions of wider market crashes most markets are well ahead of where they were at that time. Prices in Sydney and Melbourne have raced ahead since Professor Steve Keen's infamous "prices will crash by 40%" call meaning that prices are simply a mile away from where he said they would be.
It seems to be increasingly common for housing market bears to make sweeping statements about markets tumbling that generally imply that all property markets will inevitably crash andall people who invest in property are greedy and unethical landlords.
The first part is wrong. Experienced investors tend to do well even when some markets are tanking, in particular by investing in those properties which are in the highest demand, and often those close to median prices.
The second part is formed around the argument that property should be for shelter (unquestionably true) and therefore greedy landlords should not invest in property. I'm not really sure how that works and who would then own the properties for the rental market, so I'll leave others to debate that.
It's continually overlooked that it is not only "greedy" investors who push up property market prices - it is also "greedy" home-buyers, the category which presumably those praying for a crash ultimately hope to be in.
This is the invisible hand of capitalism at work - supply versus demand. Some property markets where demand is low and appetite for debt weak will continue to fall in price in 2013. But in the popular suburbs of cities such as Sydney? I wouldn't be holding my breath for any major super-correction.
As for being bearish Sydney's broad middle market back then with the population of the city growing at a stonking 60,000 people per annum and appropriate developments rarely seeming to come online, to nab the phrase of one witty forum contributor: "That was like shorting oxygen."
Pete Wargent holds a range of finance and property qualifications and is the author of <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Get a Financial Grip – a simple plan for financial freedom.</a>
Marrickville picture by Brian Yap, courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a>.
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Sydney's middle property market continues to power along: Pete Wargent

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Tanderra, one of Sydney’s few remaining houseboats, now comes with confirmed $1 million expectations.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/mosman/mosman.jpg" alt="mosman">
It's one of the 32 houseboats that moored in Middle Harbour near The Spit at Pearl Bay before, and then through the 1930s Depression.
Now there are just four.
A Mosman heritage study said the houseboats were "rare examples of a now unconventional form of living still in use".
The 2012 auction campaign – which evoked Sleepless in Seattle and Chocolat houseboat portrayals – and for those with longer memories Sophia Loren and Cary Grant's romantic 1959 movie Houseboat - was interrupted after technical issues with the Roads and Maritime Services lease.
It has 38 years left in its 40 year lease.
The three-level houseboat is classified as a permanent residential structure with long-standing existing use rights.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/houseboat2.jpg">
Its use rights give the new owner the ability to resubmit architect-designed plans or submit their own plans to finish Tanderra’s 310-square metre redevelopment into a luxury residential dwelling.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/houseboat.jpg">
Property Observer reported on the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/tanderra-the-middle-harbour-house-boat-%E2%80%93-that-dates-back-to-the-1920s-%E2%80%93-has-been-listed-for-auction/2012070455433">earlier listing in July</a>. And a vendor bid of $700,000 was made at its December auction.
There was controversy last year, when the Mosman deputy mayor Simon Menzies suggested it should be "towed out to sea and sunk" given its was a visual eyesore.
“It is visual pollution in one of Sydney’s most picturesque bays,” he said.
<img height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/mosman/more_mosman.jpg" alt="more_mosman">
Its vendor Maureen Young, now wanting to spend more time with her family in England, paid about $150,000 in 1983 to its then owner, adman John Singleton and then she rebuilt the 65-tonne pontoon.
Four years after Singleton sold Tanderra to Young, he bought another Pearl Bay houseboat for about $200,000. Named Spec, Singo's second houseboat had a two-storey residence designed and crafted by yachtsman Ian Kiernan. In 1989, Singleton sold Spec for $560,000 to a group of barristers.
The Tanderra houseboat is being sold by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-mosman-112300703">Sandie Dunne from Harcourts Dunne Mosman</a>. The renovation is mooted to cost about $600,000.
{module Houseboat}
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Sydney Harbour million-dollar houseboat yet to sell

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The long-established horse riding school Samarai Park in Terrey Hills, NSW, has been sold, but for a little less than its $3 million price expectations.
Property Observer <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/samurai-park-riding-school-on-sydney-s-outskirts-listed/2012091956689" target="_blank">reported</a> on the listing in September last year, when the two-hectare northern beaches acreage was listed by Kevin Packham from LJ Hooker.
The sale was lower than that of its prior $3.28 million sale in 2007.
Located at 90 Booralie Road, Terrey Hills, just 20 minutes from the Sydney CBD, Samarai Park offers expansive northerly bushland views over its two-hectare holding.
The horse riding school opened in 1956 and still offers agistment, lessons, riding camps and children’s birthday parties.
Samarai Park was founded by Thelma Budrodeen.
The property was sold by the Budrodeen family in 1998 for $1.25 million, with it onselling again in 2000 at $1.6 million.
It still operates as a riding school and offers boarding for horses for $235 per week. Float storage is also available for an extra $15 per week.
Samarai Park is centred close to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, with direct access to national park riding trails.
The property comprises of an office and shops, staff quarters/self-contained flat, two full-size dressage arenas and a full-size jumping area with lighting.
Samarai Park has 33 stables, 24 day yards, tack, feed and storage rooms, a lunging area, wash bays and three work sheds plus a dam.
The three-bedroom home located on the property consists of a study, two bathrooms and an outdoor swimming pool. The outside parking accommodates for 20-plus vehicles.
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