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

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

<html><body>
The least liveable cities in the world may not the first place an investor may look to buy but who ever said conventional wisdom is the best wisdom?
Property Observer at what’s available for property investors in the world’s least liveable cities: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/buying-property-in-dhaka-bangladesh-the-least-liveable-city-in-the-world/2012090356226">number one, Dhaka, Bangladesh</a> <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/chinese-investment-and-mining-driving-property-prices-but-port-moresby-papua-new-guinea-world-s-second-least-liveable-city/2012090256363" target="_blank">two, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/property-in-lagos-nigeria-could-be-boosted-by-an-oil-boom-but-threat-of-violence-is-high/2012083056316">three, Lagos, Nigeria</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/harare-has-poor-healthcare-and-political-violence-but-property-is-relatively-inexpensive/2012082956292">four, Harare, Zimbabwe</a> and five, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/what-property-investment-is-like-in-algiers-one-of-the-world-s-least-liveable-cities/2012082856272" target="_blank">Algiers, Algeria.</a>
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/08/liveable.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/liveablethumb.gif"></a>
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Liveability Survey assesses the locations around the world that provide the best or the worst living conditions.
The survey doesn’t include the absolute worst of the worst, just cities or business centres that people might feasibly want to live in or visit. So it does not include cities like Kabul in Afghanistan or Baghdad in Iraq, both in the grip of conflict.
Conflict is generally found to be the primary reason for the position of the bottom ranked cities.
“Threat of armed conflict will not just cause disruption in its own right, it will also damage infrastructure, overburden hospitals, and undermine the availability of goods, services and  recreational activities,” the report says.
Africa and Asia are home to all 13 cities in the bottom tier, with violence from crime, civil insurgency, terrorism or war playing a strong role in keeping them at the bottom of the pack. 
10. Abidjan
<ol start="1"></ol>
Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire is the best of the worst. None of the ratings given by The Economist for things like healthcare, culture and environment, stability and education are too low except for stability, which is particularly low, on par with Harare.
The city is the former capital of Côte d’Ivoire and remains the financial centre. It’s the third largest French-speaking country in the world and has a population of more than 5 million people.
A lot of the industry of the city comes from oil and manufacturing.
The main threats come from civil unrest and crime. It has improved recently, however, with the arrest of former president Laurent Gbagbo and the swearing in of President Alassane Ouattara.
However, there is still violence in the country.
“On 19 July 2012, there were violent attacks in the western towns of Duekoue and Nahibly, including at an internally displaced persons camp in Nahibly. And in June 2012 several alleged militia attacks resulted in numerous casualties in the western region, including seven United Nations peacekeepers and nine other people who were killed near the town of Tai close to the Liberian border,” the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says.
Crime is the main threat in the cities.
“Car- and bus-jackings are common, and checkpoints and roadblocks may be encountered. You should avoid confrontations with police and security forces. Armed robbery is common, including of businesses and restaurants. Some robbers have been reportedly wearing military uniforms.
“We advise you not to walk across the De Gaulle and Houphouet-Boigny bridges in Abidjan as pedestrians have been attacked and robbed even during the day.”
A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.immo-abidjan.com/Listing/Villa/224">five-bedroom duplex with a swimming pool</a> (picutred below) costs $382,000. It is more than 1,200 square metres and comes with two living rooms and a large garden.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/abidjan1.jpg">
A<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.immo-abidjan.com/Listing/Appartement/143"> three-bedroom apartment with access to a pool </a>(pictured below) is being rented for $1,091 per month.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/abidjan2.jpg">
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
9. Tehran 
<ol start="1"></ol>
Tehran, the capital of Iran, is a big, sprawling, smoggy hot city with some of the best healthcare in the bottom 10 cities in the world. It falls down with its poor infrastructure and low ratings for culture and environment, according to The Economist. It’s probably not being helped by years of trade embargos.
Smart Traveller warns that most of the dangers come from civil unrest in the country, which are quickly and violently put down.
“Since the Iranian presidential election in June 2009 there has been heightened political tension and an unpredictable security situation. Large demonstrations and violent clashes, resulting in some deaths, have taken place in Tehran and other cities in Iran. Further incidents are possible. You should monitor developments closely and avoid any demonstrations or political gatherings,” says the site.
The metro area has a population of 13 million people – it’s the 13th largest city in the world. The city is home to countless sites of historical significance, but modern developments have taken their toll.
Bloomberg reports the average cost of residential property in the city is about $1,550 per square metre. It reports in affluent northern Tehran prices can rise to about $11,500 per square metre.
Prices have been booming in the city, which has led to tighter government controls on the sector. Measures have been taken to prevent speculation, barring the resale of homes within fixed time limits.
A <a target="_blank" href="https://iranestate.com/en/properties/buy/apartment/tehran/5025f0064ef82">three-bedroom, three bathroom apartment in Sanad</a> is being sold for $850,000. The glitzy-looking apartment (pictured below) has access to a pool and a spa.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/tehran1.jpg">
A larger, <a target="_blank" href="https://iranestate.com/en/properties/buy/apartment/tehran/5010f0351446f">400-square-metre, three-bedroom apartment (pictured below) is being sold </a>for $930,515 and comes with amazing views of sprawling Tehran.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/tehran2.jpg">
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
8. Douala
 
<ol start="1"></ol>
Douala in Cameroon is next, with reasonably high stability but very poor healthcare and education options, according to The Economist. In 2008 it had a population of 3 million people. The DFAT warnings for the country are relatively tame compared with some of the other offerings on the list.
“Criminal activity is a serious problem throughout Cameroon. Violent crime is common in residential centres and on rural highways. Armed highwaymen operate throughout the country.”
“Carj-ackings, muggings, robberies and petty theft occur in the capital city, Yaounde, and in the regional cities of Douala, Kribi and Maroua.
“There have been several incidents of robbery and rape committed against foreigners in Douala. Avoid travel after dark. There have been a number of attacks by gangs of armed gunmen on restaurants and hotels known to be used by foreigners.”
All in all, not as bad as it could be.
The country is bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo.
The country runs close ties with France although corruption is pervasive at all levels of government.
A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.immodere.com/consulter-detail.php?ID=D30_4951">nine-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion</a> in the city is being sold for around $727,000. It comes with two living rooms, a swimming pool and two-metre barbed-wire fence. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/douala.jpg">
For those with a smaller budget,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.immodere.com/consulter-detail.php?ID=G13_5700"> a 714-square-metre villa</a> (pictured below) is being sold for around $110,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/douala2.jpg">
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
7. Tripoli
<ol start="1"></ol>
Tripoli was recently the site of a massive armed revolution helped by NATO airstrikes and a well-supplied citizen army. Since this however, Libya now has a relatively high stability rating considering it’s in the bottom 10 cities. The culture and environment rating is what brings it down, as well as healthcare and education opportunities.
An interim government was announced in November 2011, but violence does continue in the country.
Smart Traveller warns there are sporadic clashes between rival armed militias across Libya.
“Australians should be aware of the possibility of retaliatory measures from pro-Qaddafi supporters,” the site warns.
“The fighting in Libya has placed severe strain on public services, especially hospitals, clinics and provision of clean water.”
Prior to his untimely death at the hands of revolutionaries, Muammar Qaddafi reportedly used to offer about $45,000 to all newlyweds to buy their first home and all loans were interest-free.
One can only assume that deal has since lapsed.
In the Alsyahya area of Tripoli <a target="_blank" href="https://www.libyankey.com/homedetails/670/Alsyahya-Tripoli-Libya-Real-Estate/photo">a nine-bedroom marble-floored villa</a> (pictured below) is being sold for $2.65 million. The 1992-built villa is on 1,000 square metres and comes with parking for five cars.  
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/tripoli1.jpg">
On the other end of the spectrum a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.libyankey.com/homedetails/854/Krimia-Tripoli-Libya-Real-Estate/photo">300-square-metre villa in Krimia</a> is being sold for $113,500. It needs a bit of work out the back, but it looks like a nice little place.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/tripoli2.jpg">
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
6. Karachi
 
<ol start="1"></ol>
Karachi in Pakistan is the sixth least liveable city in the world, with even less stability than Nigeria. The city scores poorly for culture and environment, but education and infrastructure are higher than the others at the bottom end, according to The Economist.
Smart Traveller warns there is a very high threat of terrorist attacks in the country, with kidnapping and sectarian violence rife in the country. The website recounts numerous recent attacks in Karachi.
“Since January 2011, hundreds of civilians have been killed in Karachi as a result of political, sectarian and gang violence. In the first week of July 2011 a large number of people were killed in the ongoing violence. Political and sectarian violence occurred in Karachi in October 2011 and caused a number of deaths. Further violent clashes may occur.”
The town is the financial centre of Pakistan and the largest city in the country with a population of more than 21 million people. Locally it’s known as the city of the lights.
The nicest area is generally considered to be in South Karachi, in the downtown area.
A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zameen.com/Property/clifton_block_9_250_square_yard_townhouse_for_sale-229978-1671-1">five-bedroom, six-bathroom townhouse in Clifton, in South Karachi</a> (pictured below), is being sold for $261,970. In a gated community, the home has been “recently updated with porcelain tiles, complete new electrical/plumbing, bath tiles”. It has two modern kitchens. “This area has ample water as well,” the listing says. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/karachi1.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.zameen.com/Property/karachi_clifton_house_with_excellent_immaculate_finish_for_sale-59506-5-1">A 700-square-metre, six-bedroom house, sadly not pictured, in Clifton is being sold for $906,822.</a> It comes with two lounges, two drawing rooms, excellent designing immaculate finish, very secure area and also extra space outside the boundary wall for planting a garden.</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

What property investors can buy in the least liveable cities in the world: Six to 10

<html><body>
The Alex Povov-designed Gold Coast mansion recently sold by Queensland fund manager Mark McIvor to the NSW truckie Gary Fulton failed to sell at weekend auction, with its $2 million top offer almost $5 million below its sale price earlier this year.
It was officially passed in on a $5.5 million vendor bid by Coldwell Banker agent Alex Caraco.
Mr McIvor, founder of failed fund manager Equititrust, lost the property to receivers, who sold it in January this year for $6.75 million.
The sale, to New South Wales truckie Gary Fulton, raised eyebrows in the Gold Coast's depressed real estate market, as it was a sizable rise on the $4.55 million top bid at its unsuccessful 2011 auction.
In recent months <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/mark-mcivor-s-former-cronin-island-gold-coast-back-up-for-auction/2012072955758">the Commonwealth Bank sought to repossess the home,</a> launching Supreme Court action against Fulton company Vitago.
Agent Alex Caraco advised the local Gold Coast Bulletin that the court action against Vitago was "in abeyance'' and the truckie's company – not the bank – was currently selling the mansion.
He says there was a $5.95 million asking price, with genuine interest "from a gentleman from Melbourne, a lady in Hong Kong and a doctor in Sydney''.
Caraco suggests some other interested parties are using the controversy attached to the property to try to get a bargain.
"It's a landmark property – the land value alone is $2.6 million – and it's worth something with a five (million) in front of it,'' he says.
The Gold Coast prestige property market was starting to make a "slow recovery'', Caraco told The Bulletin.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Property sharks circling Cronin Island's controversial listing

<html><body>
A luxury apartment in Hong Kong has reputedly sold for a record HK$470 million ($58.2 million), the priciest condominium in the Chinese city and possibly the second most expensive in the world after London's One Hyde Park.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/opus.jpg">
An unidentified buyer paid the HK$81,597 ($10,112) per-square-metre price for the 576-square-metre unit at <a href="https://www.opushongkong.com/en/The_Building">Opus Hong Kong</a> in the upmarket Peak residential area, the Hong Kong Economic Journal and Sing Tao Daily reported over the weekend.
It occupies the entire eighth floor of the 12-storey building designed with <a href="https://www.swireproperties.com/en/our-portfolios/hong-kong-residential/Pages/OPUS_HONG_KONG.aspx">helical structure spirals </a>by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry. Its developer Swire Properties declined to confirm the deal.  Situated amid in leafy surrounds on Stubbs Road, the site has been owned by Swire since 1940s, for a long time it was home to its taipans.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/opus2.jpg">
“We have no information to share at this point,” Swire spokeswoman May Lam-Kobayashi told Agence France-Presse.
She added, however, that tenants recently leased another unit at the <a href="https://www.swireproperties.com/en/media-resources/press-releases/2011/Pages/FrankGehryExhibition_HK.aspx">property</a> for HK$850,000 ($105,331) a month.
Earlier this year on its April completion, Bloomberg reported the structure cost HK$27,000 per square foot $36,013 per square metre) to construct, including land premium.
A standard high-rise apartment in the city can cost as little as $HK4,000 per square foot $5,328 per square metre) to build, according to Swire Properties chief executive officer Martin Cubbon.
“Of course, it’s going to be enormously expensive by any standards,” says Cubbon. “In rental values and capital values, it’s going to command the highest numbers that Hong Kong has ever seen.”
The local media reported the sale beat the city's previous record price of HK$360 million ($44.6 million) paid last year.
While the property market in Hong Kong, famous for its super-rich tycoons, had slowed this year, its surged over the past few years has been credited to record low interest rates and wealthy buyers from mainland China.
The 83-year-old Los Angeles-based architect is known for his sculptural elements including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
</body></html>

Opus Hong Kong record apartment sale with Frank Gehry design

<html><body>
Peter Hall, from Hunter Hall, is having another attempt at selling his Double Bay property.
Hall has decided he’s staying in London for the time being, and his 1860 Customs House property didn't sell when listed late last year.
It's now set for auction on September 8 through McGrath agent Hamish Robertson in conjunction with Ray White Double Bay agent Ashley Bierman <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-double+bay-111274219">with $4.5 million-plus hopes</a>.
Hall bought the intended home from the director of Trent Nathan, Shane Barr, and his wife, Catherine.
Nearby on the Double Bay water's edge is the trophy listing of the Pockley family's harbourside estate.
It's been held by the family since the 1940s.
The property sits on a 1,091-square-metre level cul-de-sac Bay Street block.
It comes with a private boatshed.
It's listed for sale by expressions of interest through Michael Dunn of Richardson &amp; Wrench Double Bay.
</body></html>

Ethical investor Peter Hall relists Customs House, Double Bay 

<html><body>
The merchant bankers’ Mosman merry-go-round is back in motion after its virtual paralysis following the global financial crisis and its aftershocks.
And it's the Macquarie Bank boss Nicholas Moore and wife Helen who've signalled the prestigious suburb still has some internal movement. They are soon to upgrade to a $13 million contemporary harbourfront home on MiddleHarbour, having lived elsewhere in a Federation Mosman house that cost just over $1 million in 1991.
Their new home had been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/after-three-years-on-market-mosman-house-sets-shellbank-avenue-price-record/2012081756092">on the market</a> for three years. The seller was Shane Smyth, CEO of Cover More Insurance, who renovated after paying $9.2 million in 2007, and then listed it with $14 million-plus hopes.
The ongoing decline in bonuses among merchant bankers and financial sector executives, and share options that are lapsing due to the weak sharemarket have all seriously impacted on the prestige property market.
Until the global financial crisis, Mosman vendors enjoyed the home-buying spree that followed, like clockwork, the cash-dominated bonuses.
But the bonus-inspired property purchases disappeared during the depths of the 2008 and 2009 financial crisis, and the after-effects lingered until recently.
Getting a competitive buying interest for the top-end listings has proved a challenge for Mosman's double-digit-million market, although the Moore purchase and another sale involved keen underbidding from separate Chinese buying interests.
Property Observer revealed earlier this year <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/chinese-buyers-playing-property-pick-a-box-but-record-mosman-price-unlikely/2012030653723">it was a Chinese buyer who topped recent Mosman sales</a>, spending $20 million on retired car dealer Laurie Sutton’s 5154-square-metre Bay Street Mosman holding – the suburb's largest harbourfront estate. It was bought by Ying Li.
The residence, which had been the Suttons' home for almost 35 years, was bought from the Pick a Box presenters Bob and Dolly Dyer in 1977 for $376,960, when the Dyers headed to Queensland. Its price is now confirmed at $20 million.
The Bay Street tropical holding is like Hawaii meets Hamilton Island on Middle Harbour, and despite renovations over the past three decades, there are still traces of the Dyers' day, including the imposing sandstone fireplace in its living room that overlooks Quakers Hat Bay.
Mosman’s first big test in 2012 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/bankers-are-supposedly-bailing-but-mosmans-mandolong-house-reputedly-sells-for-bullish-%2418-million/2012031853893">came with the sale of the 1885 Mandolong House</a>, the renovated hillside residence listed with $17 million reported hopes – which sold for $18 million and represented a suburb-record price for a non-waterfront residential property.
The Mandolong Road property situated in a 2,909-square-metre location high on the slopes of Balmoral with a north-south tennis court and swimming pool was sold by the Woollahra-bound businessman Barry Roberts-Thomson and his wife, Victoria to the Kahlbetzer pastoralist family.
Last year’s top Mosman sale was the $19 million sale of a Hopetoun Avenue waterfront property to neighbour <a href="/news">Ros Oatley of the Oatley wine family</a>. Its price reflected a serious price weakness, since it had traded at $22.5 million in pre-global financial crisis 2007.
Earlier this year Nigel Smyth, an executive director at Macquarie, and his wife, Diane, upgraded from Clifton Gardens to Balmoral’s golden mile and its premium Sydney Head views, but pocketed $1.7 million in the process.
They spent $4.8 million on a five-bedroom, three-bathroom Hopetoun Avenue house initially listed with $6 million hopes in early 2011 and more recently at $5.2 million.
The contemporary-style house built in 1994 comes with pool, four-car garaging and a 1,500-bottle temperature-controlled cellar.
The Smyths sold at Clifton Gardens in Mosman for $6.5 million. The five-bedroom Kardinia Road property sits on an 823-square-metre block. It had views across the harbour to Rose Bay and Point Piper.
It was bought for $5.12 million in 2005.
</body></html>

Macquarie's Nicholas Moore gives momentum to the Mosman mansion merry-go-round  

<html><body>
Historic Juniper Hall in Paddington - once the Ormonde House Orphanage - is being cast aside by The National Trust of Australia.The colonial offering has been scheduled for September 18 auction, albeit on 99 year leasehold terms.
Its been listed through Laing + Simmons agent Michael Minogue inconjunction with Cushman &amp; Wakefield agent Tony Anderson.
The now commercial office property was built in the 1820s, reputedly the oldest surviving mansion in the eastern suburbs dating back to the days of Governor Macquarie. The Georgian house was built for the third wife of Robert Cooper, who owned one of the first distilleries in the colony. "It was a very difficult decision as we are in the business of conservation and all our properties are precious,'' Gerry Hayes, Director of Properties for the National Trust of Australia (NSW) told the Wentworth Courier. ``But it's the real world and like any corporate identity in hard financial times we are focused on making our assets work more efficiently. ``A lot of money is tied up in the property that could be better used to look after our other assets.'' The Trust secured Juniper Hall in 1984 with funds from different sources including community donations. It became a Bicentennial restoration project with State Government funds and the sponsorship of Amatil. Its purchase and restoration was also funded by the Paddington Society,, the Woollahra Committee, and Woollahra Council.
Its restoration was undertaken by achitect Clive Lucas who was given a RAIA merit award for conservation work.
The National Trust had believed that when it was restored, that Juniper Hall would be among its most successful buildings, but its been a problem property especially since the 1992 closure of the Museum of Australian Childhood.
The listing agent Michael Minogue has suggested that prior to feedback from its open for inspections it was too early to determine its value, and even its marketing is lacking direction, with suggestions it could suit "commercial office, business mixed use or grand residential manor."  
The Society for the Relief of Destitute Children opened Ormond House in Oxford Street, Paddington for the reception of needy children in 1852. The Benevolent Society set up the society and leased the property. Ormond House was purchased by the Government and the running of it continued to be undertaken by the society. The government funding was withdrawn around 1880. It's been suggested part of the building was used as the first Childrens' Court. It was sold in around 1925 by the government.</body></html>

National Trust lists problematic Juniper Hall Paddington property for auction

<html><body>
McGrath Estate Agents has launched a corporate page on Facebook racking up 667 ‘likes’ since going live overnight.
The Facebook page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/McGrathEstateAgents">www.facebook.com/McGrathEstateAgents</a>-  includes photographs of some of the prestige properties McGrath agents have sold recently and tips for vendors.
John McGrath, CEO of McGrath Estate Agents, has also launched a personal Twitter account to share his observations about the real estate market with the handle: <a href="https://twitter.com/johnmcgrath100">twitter.com/johnmcgrath100</a>. He currently has 86 followers.
He tells Property Observer, the company has been monitoring the social media space "closely for about a year to understand how we can best utilise it to add value to our stakeholders.   
"At the end of the day, until we were confident our strategy would add value, we weren’t prepared to start," he says.
“We believe our Facebook page will be of great interest and add value to all our key stakeholders: Home owners, Buyers, Sellers, Investors and of course our own team.
We will stick to our core philosophy of ‘less is more’ and focus on a handful of areas that we think are current and relevant rather than trying to be all things to all people.
"There will be lots of visual imagery and videos which we believe is where this space is going."
Writing on real estate technology site business2.com.au, online strategist Greg Vincent, says that despite being "surprisingly slow" adopters of social media, the timeline functionality on Facebook Fan Pages means that a history of McGrath Estate Agents "could be uploaded, featuring images and company milestones that took place even before Facebook existed".
"This helps to give the impression that McGrath have been on Facebook for a long time," he says.
Other estate agent networks that already have a Facebook presence include the Australian arm of Century 21 - billed as the biggest real estate organisation in the world.
Its Facebook page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Century21Australia">www.facebook.com/Century21Australia</a> - has 1,344 likes to date.
California-based Re/Max - one of the biggest real estate networks with operations in 80 countries - has 3,468 likes for its Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReMaxSupport">www.facebook.com/ReMaxSupport</a>
First National Real Estate also has a corporate Facebook page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FirstNationalRealEstate">www.facebook.com/FirstNationalRealEstate</a> - with 951 likes and celebrating their 30 years of success with a timeline going back to 1982.
Numerous indivisual estate agent offices have a Facebook presence, such as:
<ul>
<li>Ray White Byron Bay - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/raywhitebyronbay">www.facebook.com/raywhitebyronbay</a>
</li>
<li>LJ Hooker Lane Cove - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ljhookerlanecove" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/ljhookerlanecove</a>
</li>
<li>LJ Hooker Balmain - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ljhookerbalmain" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/ljhookerbalmain</a>
</li>
<li>First National Latrobe - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FirstNationalLatrobe">www.facebook.com/FirstNationalLatrobe</a>
</li>
</ul>
 
<ul></ul>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/raywhitebyronbay"></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ljhookerlanecove" target="_blank"></a>
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

McGrath Estate Agents racks up 667 ‘likes’ on new corporate Facebook page

Pine Hill, the 1926 Frankston&nbsp;home of Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce, has been listed for mortgagee tender.

Bruce, who had the ignominy of being the only Australian prime minister until John Howard to lose his own seat at election, built the house at a&nbsp;£20,000 cost.

Pine Hill, aka Bruce Manor,&nbsp; was designed by the <a href="/new-apartments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a> firm of architects Prevost Synnot and Rewald, in association with Robert Bell Hamilton as a Mediterranean-inspired residence with paved courtyards, Cordova patterned roof tiles, a Juliet balcony and timber panelled interiors.

"It's a near complete example of the Mediterranean style –&nbsp;which, when built on this scale, was considered glamorous and exotic in the '20s and '30s," its Harcourts Frankston listing agent Aaron Froling says.

"Today it is still extra impressive," he adds.

<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/34-pinehill-drive-frankston/Property-Details-buy-residential-4347829" target="_blank">It has been listed</a> in conjunction with Hocking Stuart agent Adrian Foster, who are taking tenders until September 25. More than $900,000 is estimated by some market observers with $200,000 plus potentially needing to be spent on its refurbishment.

It comes with spacious rooms, high ceilings –&nbsp;many timber lined –&nbsp;and open fireplaces.

Wrapped around a central piazza, its ground floor includes an impressive entry leading to an open living room incorporating substantial formal and informal living areas.

There are between seven and 10 bedrooms and a library/study along with several bathrooms.

The property had out buildings used periodically as hostel accommodation for the aged.

Its sold at $895,000 in 2002, but its curtiliage has been reduced from 6,000 square metres to about 4,500 square metres, with 10-apartment subdivision that has been sold over the past three months.

The house also has an important association with The Lodge in <a href="/new-apartments/canberra-act">Canberra</a>, which was constructed in 1926; both were built in a similar architectural style and both were first lived in by the Bruces.

Bruce was prime minister of Australia from 1923 to 1929 as the Depression hit.

It's been listed by Korda Mentha.

Pine Hill, aka Stanley Melbourne Bruce's Mediterranean Frankston Manor, listed for mortgagee auction

<html><body>
<a target="_blank" href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/3point25m.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="/news">approximate purchase price of Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke's new Berrima acquisition</a>, Round Hill, the 93-hectare Southern Highlands lifestyle farm with picket fenced oval with cricket pitch. The Clarke purchase fulfills his dream of opening a cricket academy. It's a very private forested property accessed only by gravel road.
 
<hr>
 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/les-samba-s-pomeroy-potts-point-apartment-sells/2012082056119" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/2point1m.gif"></a>
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/les-samba-s-pomeroy-potts-point-apartment-sells/2012082056119" target="_blank">sale price of the Pomeroy, Potts Point, apartment of the slain Sydney racing identity Les Samba</a>. It sold some 14 months after its initial listing. It's been bought by veterinarian Raoul Wanner and his wife, Ingrid.
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/32point5percent.gif"></a>
The percentage of consumers polled by Westpac-Melbourne Institute <a target="_blank" href="/news">who expect interest rates to fall in the next 12 months.</a> Two-thirds of consumers expect either rates to rise (32.7%) or rates to remain unchanged (34.7%), indicating a considerable lack of consensus on where mortgages rates are heading over the medium term.
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/landlords/battlers-and-the-beach-campbelltown-and-pittwater-units-strongest-rental-markets/2012082056140"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/16point3percent.gif"></a>
The annual rent increase in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/landlords/battlers-and-the-beach-campbelltown-and-pittwater-units-strongest-rental-markets/2012082056140">Pittwater units recorded in the year to June</a>, according to PRDnationwide. RP Data shows that Pittwater units have a weekly rental of $320. This is the strongest-performing unit rental market in and around Sydney. 
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/melbourne-land-blocks-dip-below-%24200000-but-no-dramatic-falls-expected-oliver-hume/2012082156102"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/210k.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/melbourne-land-blocks-dip-below-%24200000-but-no-dramatic-falls-expected-oliver-hume/2012082156102">gross price of Melbourne residential land</a>, according to the latest research by Oliver Hume. Once rebates and incentives are factored in the net effective land price fell below the “magical” $200,000 mark for the first time since June 2010, the real estate group reported.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/4point075m.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="/news">sale price for a Castle Cove house that was the week's top sale</a>. The Marston Architects-designed property was the subject of a hotly contested bidding war between two bidders, who pushed the price up from $3.6 million to its sale price.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/08/30pont7percent.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="/news">increase in house prices in the Queensland mining boom region of Isaac,</a> which includes much of the coal-rich Bowen Basin, over the past year. The median house price in the Isaac region is now median of $572,500, according to RP Data.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

The 7 must-know numbers of the week, starting with Michael Clarke's Berrima purchase

<html><body>
Geoff Harvey, the former musical director of The Midday Show, is another Berrima resident who's recently sold a property with cricket pitch.
Indeed Broomielaw at Berrima even came with rugby field.
It is a 40-hectare property in the Southern Highlands, which features mostly natural bushland dipping to a kilometre of Wingecarribee riverfront.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/broomielaw.jpg">
The four-bedroomed Broomielaw had been the retreat of Harvey and his wife, Katrina, for 33 years, and in more recent times the former Channel 9 music maestro and his wife operate a highly regarded bed and breakfast, Broomielaw Barn. 
Harvey's tastes were witnessed in the rugby field, cricket pitch and vineyard.
Angus Campbell-Jones at <a href="https://www.cjpbowral.com.au/properties-for-sale/rural/rural-detail/Broomielaw" target="_blank">Campbell-Jones Property  </a>secured $1.65 million earlier this year.
The town's other big sale was when the Australian cricket captain <a href="/news">Michael Clarke and wife, Kyly</a>, bought a very pretty private estate that comes complete with picket fenced oval and cricket pitch.
</body></html>

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Property News

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News