<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a> is preparing to commence construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> this October, marking the next milestone for the Melbourne CBD development and its higher-end Eliza Collection.

Spanning levels 44 to 68 of the 68-storey <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed tower, the Eliza Collection has been conceived as a lower-density offering within the broader development, with only five apartments on each floor, dedicated lift access and a collection of resident spaces reserved exclusively for Eliza Collection residents.

The Eliza Collection forms part of Far East Consortium's broader move toward larger-format residences at 640 Bourke Street, where the number of apartments was reduced from earlier plans as apartment sizes increased.

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"What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Far East Consortium Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Sheldon said.

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang said the design process provided an opportunity to create more generous floorplans.

"We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."

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That thinking carries through to the Eliza Collection, where the residences have been designed around the space and functionality associated with a larger home, but positioned high above the centre of Melbourne.

Kitchens are equipped with Gaggenau appliances, a butler's pantry, temperature-controlled wine cabinet and sculptural pendant lighting, while engineered timber flooring, stone and porcelain finishes and custom cabinetry feature throughout the broader interiors.

Privacy and security are another point of distinction. Eliza Collection residents have dedicated lift access, while 640 Bourke Street will provide concierge services and secure resident parking. Short-stay accommodation, including Airbnb, will not be permitted within the development.

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Eliza Collection residents will also have exclusive access to selected amenity spaces across levels one and three of the restored Eliza Tinsley building. These include the Salon with grand piano, an art therapy room, private dining rooms and treatment rooms.

They sit within more than 3,000 sqm of amenity planned across 640 Bourke Street, alongside facilities including a pool, gym, whisky lounge and further social and wellness spaces.

The Eliza Tinsley building itself is central to the wider project's identity. Rather than treating the existing Eliza Tinsley façade as a separate element, Rothelowman used it as a starting point for the architecture of the new tower, with the historic building to accommodate the project's gallery and lobby.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

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The tower will rise behind the retained heritage building at 640 Bourke Street, placing residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands waterfront.

With construction scheduled to begin in October, Far East Consortium has established an onsite display gallery at 640 Bourke Street, including fully built apartments that allow the project's layouts, materials and finishes to be inspected at full scale.

A fully built Eliza Collection apartment is also available to view at the display suite by appointment ahead of the planned October construction commencement.

Eligible purchasers who buy before construction commences can secure the full available off-the-plan stamp duty savings, subject to eligibility and applicable conditions.

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Joel Robinson

Far East Consortium brings Eliza Collection to 640 Bourke Street ahead of October construction start

By the time S&amp;S Projects began planning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia</a>, the developer already had three Rainbow Bay projects from which to draw.

Flow, Awaken and Esprit had given <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a> experience developing in the southern Gold Coast enclave, as well as buyer feedback that could be carried into its fourth project, a boutique collection of 38 residences at 271 Boundary Street.

“We have experienced a lot of success in this location and as this was our fourth building we had taken all of the learnings and buyer feedback from previous projects to arrive at a design and apartment mix that we believe had captured all of that experience and remained a true S&amp;S Project in its design and amenity,” the developer said.

That experience has translated into a collection of two, three, four and five-bedroom residences including two penthouses positioned on an elevated corner in Rainbow Bay, where the site opens to multiple coastal view corridors and the area's distinctive north-facing bay.

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S&amp;S Projects says the Boundary Street site took years to assemble, having previously comprised six units, a house and a duplex. The developer worked individually with the existing owners to bring the properties together after an earlier attempt to sell the site had been complicated by the number of parties involved.

“We are constantly looking for properties that meet our brand standards of location, views, and sites that are rare with unique aspects that we can develop to maximise the lifestyle of residents who live in our buildings,” S&amp;S Projects said.

The Boundary Street site gave <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a> a different set of conditions to work with.&nbsp;

“Our design brief was to design a building that took advantage of its unique elevated corner siting offering a range of spectacular view corridor opportunities,” Cottee Parker said.

“The design had to reinforce the strong brand pillars of S&amp;S which are quality, luxury and superior resident amenity.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284543]

Cottee Parker responded with a sculptural floorplate and strong horizontal banding, with continuous balconies and landscaped planters wrapping the building. Operable screens along the balcony edges allow residents to manage light and shade while creating an additional layer of pattern across the facade.

The tower rises above a heavily landscaped podium incorporating the entry lobby and recreational level, while the broader architectural expression takes cues from Rainbow Bay's coastal environment through its organic forms and light material palette.

Cottee Parker says the design has also been developed to complement S&amp;S Projects’ three previous Rainbow Bay developments while retaining its own architectural identity.

Inside, the residences continue that coastal response through two interior schemes centred on warm timbers and neutral tones, alongside patterned natural stone and fluted detailing.

Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors connect open-plan living areas to wraparound balconies, while natural stone is used across benchtops, splashbacks and bathroom walls. Specifications also include light-washed timber flooring, gas fireplaces, integrated bar and wine fridges, freestanding stone baths and 100 per cent wool carpet.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284559]

Cottee Parker Director Sandra Brown said the intention was to create an architectural response closely connected to its surroundings.

“Imagine architecture that breathes with the rhythm of nature, where every curve and line flows seamlessly – creating spaces that dance with the elements, where sunlight kisses every surface and the gentle sea breeze fills every space,” Brown said.

The lessons S&amp;S Projects carried into Radia also extend to its resident amenity, with a substantial collection of shared facilities planned for just 38 residences.

A dedicated Residents Club will include a lap pool and spa, gymnasium, ice bath, sauna, steam room and hot rocks sauna. A residents' lounge, private dining room, outdoor dining and barbecue area and business centre are also planned, along with storage and dedicated surfboard and beach lockers.

S&amp;S Projects Founding Director Paul Gedoun said the facilities were also designed around the project's Rainbow Bay setting.

“Each amenity is designed to capitalise on the lifestyle of Rainbow Bay, ensuring residents can enjoy the relaxed coastal experience the enclave is famous for,” Gedoun said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140491 project_image_fid=284555]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a> says purchasers to date have predominantly included local downsizers, interstate lifestyle investors and families, alongside a strong contingent of repeat S&amp;S purchasers.&nbsp;

According to the project sales team, feedback has centred on the natural stone and joinery, generous floorplans, natural light and the ability for residences to capture views in multiple directions. The completed Flow, Awaken and Esprit developments have also provided prospective purchasers with an existing reference point for S&amp;S Projects' delivery in Rainbow Bay.

There has also been interest from high-profile surfers and people connected to the surf community, with the elevated building providing outlooks towards several of the area's recognised surf breaks.

Radia continues S&amp;S Projects' concentration of development in a tightly held part of the southern Gold Coast, close to Rainbow Bay Beach, Snapper Rocks, Duranbah Beach, Greenmount Beach and the Tweed River. The neighbourhood also includes a growing collection of hospitality venues, while Coolangatta Airport provides connections beyond the southern Gold Coast.

Hutchinson Builders is now delivering Radia, continuing the project from early works privately funded by S&amp;S Projects. The $250 million development is expected to reach completion in the third quarter of 2027.

“With our history in Rainbow Bay, we have been fortunate to be heavily involved in how the development landscape has unfolded and this project slides into the property landscape comfortably and will feel like it was always there,” the developer said.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140491]

How three Rainbow Bay projects shaped S&S Projects' fourth, Radia

Nearly 40 years after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sheida-group">The Sheida Group</a> began working on the northern Gold Coast, the family-owned developer is continuing its involvement in Hope Island with Marina Point Apartments, where apartment scale has been a central part of the development.

Across the 235-apartment waterfront community, the developer has prioritised larger floorplans, substantial open space and marina access, responding to a purchaser base that has predominantly comprised local owner-occupiers and downsizers moving from larger homes.

"Having already delivered Anchorage nearby, we also understood this particular market and how people live here," developer Rick Sheida said.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marina-point-apartments-hope-island-66-view-line-terrace-hope-island-qld-4212">Marina Point&nbsp;Apartments</a> gave us the opportunity to build on those lessons and create the next evolution of our work in Hope Island."

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The Sheida Group acquired the Marina Point land around 2018. Its appeal, Sheida says, went beyond having a waterfront address.

"What attracted us was not simply that the site was waterfront, but the way it meets the water," he said.

"It sits at the junction of broad waterways, creating long sightlines, changing views and a sense of movement throughout the day. Its shape also allowed us to orient the buildings outward, improve privacy between residences and make better use of natural light and breezes."

The buildings have subsequently been positioned around the perimeter of the site, allowing most apartments to take in water views while others look across the resort amenity or hinterland. Once all four buildings are complete, approximately one hectare of the site is expected to remain as open space.

The waterfront also provides the potential for up to 50 marina berths, with berths ranging from 15 to 24 metres and options designed to accommodate wider vessels including catamarans. Access from the marina to the Gold Coast Seaway is bridge-free.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136992 project_image_fid=293149]

The developer says purchasers to date have predominantly been owner-occupiers and downsizers from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marina-point-apartments-hope-island-66-view-line-terrace-hope-island-qld-4212">Hope Island</a> and elsewhere on the Gold Coast, generally aged between 45 and 70. Many have sold larger family homes or properties requiring significant upkeep.

That purchaser profile informed a design brief centred on retaining the space and functionality of a larger home within an apartment format.

"Many of our buyers are coming from large, well-appointed homes in Sanctuary Cove and the surrounding area," the project team said.

"They are accustomed to generous spaces and thoughtful design, so it was important that the apartments delivered the same sense of comfort and functionality.

"Every room needed to feel well proportioned, every space needed a clear purpose and nothing could feel compromised."

Residences range from 139 sqm through to 319 sqm penthouses, with two car spaces provided to apartments and three to penthouses. Minimum 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, entertainer's kitchens with butler's pantries, substantial storage and balconies ranging from 18 sqm to 37 sqm further reflect the emphasis on space.

One purchaser from Sanctuary Cove has taken the concept further, combining two of Marina Point's largest apartments to create a 552 sqm residence with raked ceilings reaching up to 4.5 metres.

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With Building 1 now complete, the developer is also seeing its original design assumptions tested against purchaser feedback.

Three completed display residences allow prospective purchasers to compare apartment sizes, layouts, finishes and outlooks in person. The sales team says one of the most consistent responses has been to the scale of the apartments, with visitors describing them as feeling more like homes than conventional apartments.

The first stage of resident amenity is also operational, including a 25-metre heated lap pool, Technogym-equipped gym, infrared sauna, golf simulator and yoga room. Future facilities are set to include a resort-style pool and spa, waterfront barbecue area and a residents' lounge with a library, fireplace, pool table, kitchen and bar.

Rather than treating the four buildings independently, the design brief called for a complete waterfront neighbourhood, balancing private residences with landscaping, open space, marina access and shared amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136992 project_image_fid=293152]

For Sheida, Marina Point Apartments is ultimately an extension of the developer's longer-term involvement in Hope Island and its view of how the suburb is evolving.

"We were equally interested in the long-term future of Hope Island," he said.

"Its position between Brisbane and the central Gold Coast gives residents access to both, while improving transport connections are making the northern Gold Coast increasingly attractive as a permanent place to live."

Hope Island Marketplace is 1.3 kilometres from Marina Point, while Sanctuary Cove and Paradise Point are within six kilometres. Links Hope Island, The Pines and The Palms golf courses are also nearby, and the new Hope Island train station is under construction around five kilometres from the development.

Building 2 is under construction, with completion scheduled for 2027.

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Marina Point Apartments continues The Sheida Group's 40-year Hope Island story

Sydney-based fund manager and developer EG is seeking to turn part of the former Roche pharmaceutical campus in Cromer into a 130-home residential community, introducing a mix of low-rise apartments, townhouses and duplexes to the tightly held Northern Beaches market.

The SJB-designed masterplan has been prepared for the 3.2-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/100-south-creek-road-cromer-nsw-2099">100 South Creek Road</a>, part of the former Roche landholding that EG acquired for $55 million in 2017 through its Yield Plus Infrastructure Fund No. 2.

EG is proposing what SJB describes as a new "urban village" set within the site's significant existing tree canopy.

<img alt="Cromer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="482c9a58-49f1-4c53-a12e-aaa02336229f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-24%20at%2011.20.57%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=hZP8_XfPnfNq500dbcjlpVwYU1ebhF9_" />

Around three hectares of the site is considered developable, with the balance incorporating a riparian corridor that would be rehabilitated and revegetated as part of the proposal.

The indicative masterplan comprises approximately 72 apartments in low-rise residential buildings and another 58 townhouses and duplexes.

The apartment component would include around five one-bedroom, 37 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom residences, while the townhouse and duplex component would be spread across several different housing typologies. The overall scheme would deliver around 19,500 sqm of gross floor area at an FSR of 0.6:1.

Parking for the apartment component is currently estimated at around 112 resident spaces and 14 visitor spaces, while the townhouse and duplex component would have 116 resident and 12 visitor spaces.

A significant part of the masterplan revolves around retaining the established landscape character of the former Roche campus.

SJB's plans show heavily treed setbacks along both Campbell Avenue and South Creek Road, a centrally located collection of significant native and exotic trees retained as communal open space, and the regeneration of the northern bushland area.

The existing creek corridor along the site's western edge would also be rehabilitated and revegetated, creating additional separation between the new homes and the neighbouring Northern Beaches Business Park.

A heritage-listed cottage and its garden setting would be retained and restored, with SJB flagging its potential adaptive reuse as communal space.

The proposal also includes new communal recreation areas, pedestrian connections to Campbell Avenue and South Creek Road, and a contribution toward improvements to the adjoining Michele Reserve.

Vehicular access would be restricted to South Creek Road, with no vehicle entry proposed from Campbell Avenue. The main internal road would largely follow the site's existing driveway to minimise the impact on established trees.

SJB said residential redevelopment presented an opportunity to retain the majority of the site's heritage-listed mature trees while delivering a broader range of housing types than typically seen across the Northern Beaches.

"The site being 3.27 hectares in area represents one of the largest vacant sites in common ownership in the Cromer and Dee Why area capable of residential renewal," SJB noted in the masterplan.

The architect said the proposal would particularly target housing diversity through townhouses and other "missing middle" typologies suitable for singles, young families, downsizers and retirees.

<img alt="Cromer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3f5d841-8491-427e-8ada-c70d3d03d6bc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-24%20at%2011.21.02%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=xTV7r.q8lrTzC9vKzMS9zMbjm9wKwhgm" />

The site emerged following the subdivision of the former Roche campus into eastern and western parcels.

EG has already transformed the western portion into the Northern Beaches Business Park, which incorporates heritage-listed office space, modern warehouses and indoor recreation facilities.

The proposed residential community, referred to as Cromer East in SJB's plans, adjoins established housing to the north, east and south-east, while the business park sits beyond the creek corridor to the west.

It is also within 250 metres of Pittwater House School and Northern Beaches Secondary College, while bus stops within a three-to-five-minute walk provide connections to Dee Why, Brookvale and express services to the Sydney CBD. Cromer Park and the South Creek open space corridor are also nearby.

EG acquired the broader 7.5-hectare former Roche campus in 2017 for $55 million through its Yield Plus Infrastructure Fund No. 2. The campus at the time comprised more than 25,000 sqm of industrial and office buildings set within landscaped grounds.

The current residential site represents the eastern portion of that original holding.

EG's investment strategy for the fund has centred on acquiring income-producing real estate with longer-term rezoning and repositioning potential, particularly assets benefiting from infrastructure and changing land-use patterns.

EG also has an established residential track record across Sydney, including Bosco in Five Dock, Tempo in Drummoyne, The Flour Mill in Summer Hill and Pindari in Randwick.

The developer says it has delivered more than 1,000 homes to date, with a further 3,000-plus residences across its development pipeline.

First look: EG plans 130 apartments on former Roche pharmaceutical campus in Cromer

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

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.

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<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?

Azzura Investments are taking the master plan for its $3 billion Imperial Square mega development at Southport to the next stage, lodging a development application for a 40-level mixed-use tower that will include an exclusive vertical village for retirees.

Plans for the $500 million Monarch Place come on the heels of the first stage, the 18-level Regal Residences, which is currently under construction on the&nbsp;1.4 hectare Imperial Square site on the corner of Ferry Road and Meron Street.

Monarch Place will deliver a total of 223 premium apartments, with 140 of these residences designated for an exclusive vertical retirement village for occupants over 65.

The new tower, designed by Kris Kowalski Architects, features retail and commercial tenancies on the ground level and first floor and a range of strata-titled specialist medical suites on level two.

Azzura CEO Robert Badalotti said the success of Regal Residences allowed the group to bring the next stage of Imperial Square to the market, amid strong inquiries for apartments across the masterplanned site.&nbsp;

“We are thrilled to be introducing a new style of residences for the over-65 market at Monarch Place that will take downsizing to a completely new level in the heart of Southport," Badalotti said.

<img alt="Render of Monarch Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c352243f-888a-4f2c-aeae-c1399c8b328c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Monarch%20Place%20-%20Cam_01_Opt.jpg?VersionId=CNVqXB.zJ7KmcD79LijRh09_.5MWHUcl" />Render of the proposed Monarch Place. Image supplied.&nbsp;

Apartments in Monarch Place will offer an extensive array of layouts, from two-bedroom apartments to two-bedrooms plus study, three- and four-bedroom luxury apartments.

While 140 apartments in these configurations will be dedicated to the vertical retirement village, Monarch Place will also offer 83 freehold apartments that will offer some of the most spacious living areas available in the Southport market.

The freehold residences will have separate lift access and resident amenities.

Monarch Place will release an exclusive selection of three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments, plus eight four-bedroom skyhomes, each with a plunge pool and spa.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29350 project_image_fid=154912]

Topping off the development will be two penthouses featuring their own rooftop infinity pools.

The vertical retirees’ village will deliver an array of amenities for residents on level five, including a ballroom, dining, gymnasium, sauna, heated indoor pool and spa, a hairdressing salon and beauty parlour, cinema, golf simulator, art and craft studio, library, and resident workshop.

Residents will also have access to a dedicated music room, games and entertainment rooms, consulting rooms, boardroom, plus a commercial-grade kitchen and dining area with a bar and coffee lounge.

There will also be a community garden on level six.

“We’ve combined the best of Regal Residences with the very latest designs in Monarch Place, and we have created a large array of activities and high quality amenities for occupants enjoy their retirement years,” Badalotti added.

“Our second tower will give residents the ideal blend of space and serenity, with our design team especially focused on those smaller details that will allow residents to live their way at Monarch Place.” 
 
All residents of Monarch Place will have access to the level six podium which will house a hotel-tavern and restaurants, and barbecue facilities alongside an outdoor ‘kabana lagoon’ pool.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29350 project_image_fid=154910]

“Amid all this luxury we are creating a unique lifestyle that blends an array of lifestyle amenities, medical, shopping, restaurants and bars to create the carefree lifestyle that downsizers are looking for."

Located within Southport’s designated Priority Development Area, Imperial Square comprises four stages that in future will include the 68-level Imperial Tower and The Majesty, which will rise 108 levels and become Australia’s tallest residential tower.

Imperial Square will eventually deliver around 1,600 dwellings and up to 40,000 sqm of commercial and retail space designed to activate the site into a vibrant community offering a range of services and amenities at the doorstep for residents of the Imperial Square community.

Azzura Plans to officially launch Monarch Place to the market in late May this year with construction expected to start in late 2023. The second stage of the development is scheduled to welcome its first residents in 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=29352]

Azzura lodge $500 million stage two plans for $3 billion Imperial Square, Southport masterplan

Brisbane's premier riverfront suburbs have long been sought-after for apartment dwellers.

It's more common for new projects to appear in the likes of Newstead, Albion and New Farm, than it is in Bulimba.

But the small suburb south of the Brisbane River looks set for a new development, with Chris Mundey, Founder and Managing Director of Friday Capital, submitting plans for a new development at 43 Wambool Street.

Looking to tap into the high-end downsizer market, the building will comprise just eight three-bedroom apartments across a three-level building.

Brisbane locals, Gatehouse Architects have been appointed to design the project on the large 1,012 sqm site, with the main design intent focusing on seamlessly integrating into the existing neighbourhood's character and charm.

<img alt="Render of the Bulimba development " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efeb81b5-e3a6-4a1d-91da-1bb759270cee" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-21%20at%203.14.54%20pm.png?VersionId=DeaC2awIRlm4BzKt0rV0FN8Iikk7rZcG" />Render of the proposed Bulimba development. Credit: Gatehouse Architects.

Located at 43 Wambool Street, the development's design is centred around the concept of incorporating natural light into the living spaces, creating an open and airy atmosphere that encourages a sense of community, harmony, and tranquility. The architecture blends modern and traditional elements, using carefully selected building materials that match the surrounding context.

The building's large windows, balconies, and terraces take advantage of Brisbane's sunny climate and leafy green surroundings, providing residents with a sense of openness and connection to the outside world while maintaining privacy and security.

The addition of a rooftop communal area is designed to encourage social interaction and community across the site, with&nbsp;the 84 sqm space featuring a permeable pergola structure, as well as a range of passive and active recreation opportunities, including a lounge area and outdoor dining space.

The development is designed to respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate and lifestyle, with all units featuring well-proportioned living areas and balconies that create indoor/outdoor living spaces, maximising access to natural light and ventilation.

Ground level units include private open spaces comprising patio areas ranging in size between 25 sqm to 46 sqm, while upper-level units feature balconies ranging in size between 19 sqm through to 48 sqm.

The additional landscaping on the rooftop space further softens the built form from the streetscape and adjoining properties, adding to the amenity of the communal area.

<img alt="Aerial shot of the Bulimba project" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e9fde7f5-87dc-4509-bc99-1051a6f2c19f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-21%20at%203.22.04%20pm.png?VersionId=NAAe8Yf2AhYzONyKaf_B5CyJb_ETpLKf" /> 
Aerial shot of the proposed Bulimba site. Credit: Google Earth

Residents will be just over 200 metres from the bustling Oxford Street, which is home to a mix of retail and food outlets, health care services, bars and cinemas. A number of bus routes also run along Oxford Street, while the Bulimba Ferry Terminal is less than a kilometre away.

The heritage-listed Bulimba Memorial Park is also just a short walk.

Prior to launching Friday Capital, Mundey was the Head of Consulting and Capital Management at an East Coast Boutique Advisory firm and was the lead partner in its Sydney office, with the group working across the eastern seaboard, with projects in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139204]

The developer has tapped Brisbane locals, Gatehouse Architects to design the project on the large 1,012 sqm site

First look: New plans lodged set to tap into high end Bulimba apartment market

The Gold Coast property market is holding up considerably better than some of its southern counterparts, recent research conducted by national project marketing agency Colliers found.

Colliers' latest Market Overview has revealed that the median house price on the Gold Coast has only dropped by $15,000, or -1.5 per cent, to reach $925,000 by the end of 2022 -&nbsp;down from the $940,000 reported by Colliers previously at the peak of the market in June last year.

This is in stark contrast to the rest of the country, where national house prices have fallen more than five times the rate of the Gold Coast.

The report highlights that Gold Coast's property market has remained relatively stable despite the national market experiencing a record fall of 8.4 per cent in CoreLogic's Daily Home Value Index from May last year until January 7 this year.

Colliers’ Gold Coast director-in-charge Steven King said the latest data, supported by continued growth in the city’s commercial property sector, demonstrates that Gold Coast property prices are holding firm amid volatile conditions nationally.

“The latest population forecasts, the strength of the Gold Coast’s employment market and the massive investment in infrastructure across the city is providing the local property market with remarkable resilience,” King said.

“Certainly, we’re seeing challenges across the board, driven by higher construction costs and labour constraints causing ongoing housing supply issues, but the Gold Coast is still firing on all cylinders from an economic perspective which will continue to support the residential and commercial sectors in the near term.”

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The Colliers Market Overview report for February 2023 offers a robust view of the Gold Coast property market with resilience in residential property spilling over into the office, industrial and retail sectors.

The report forecasts the Gold Coast economy will grow four per cent a year over the next three years, making it an economic hotspot in comparison to the Reserve Bank’s estimates of 1.5 per cent growth in the national economy in 2023 and 2024.

Employment on the Gold Coast grew by one per cent over the year, keeping the jobless rate at 2.9 per cent, well below the national rate of 3.7 per cent.

“The Gold Coast employment market is among the tightest in the country, with the jobs market well supported by new businesses relocating to the city to capitalise on emerging growth opportunities,” said King.

Among the key metrics revealed in the Colliers report is the massive take-up of office space on the Gold Coast over the past two years amid low construction activity in the sector.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=180734]

The Colliers report notes that retail rents on the Gold Coast have risen by 15 to 20 per cent on average over the year due to rising occupancies, population growth, limited new supply, and higher construction costs.

Supporting the Colliers report’s growth forecasts are projections of massive population increases for key Gold Coast suburbs over the next two decades.

The city’s northern and western suburbs will sustain the highest growth as the city heads towards a population of nearly one million people by 2041 – an increase of 48 per cent from current levels.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=198830]

Ormeau-Oxenford will make up most of that population expansion with another 114,000 people expected to live there by 2041. Coomera's population is likely to almost&nbsp;triple, while Worongary-Tallai, Southport-North, and Mermaid Beach-Broadbeach are each expected to double in population.

“These growth forecasts underpin the pace of activity we are currently experiencing across each of the key property categories,” said King.

“The high growth areas to the north and west are likely to drive sustained demand for new developments such as retail to service these areas, as well as industrial and commercial areas to provide key local employments nodes.”

National house prices have fallen more than five times the rate of the Gold Coast over the last 12 months

Gold Coast riding out 2022/23 property correction: Colliers report

Luxury home builder turned apartment developer Graya has set a new apartment record in the affluent Brisbane riverfront suburb of Bulimba.

They've secured the highest price paid for a non-riverfront apartment at their Canvas Bulimba project. The 185 sqm space, which features its own rooftop terrace, sold for $3.5 million through project marketing agency MOTIV.

The four-bedroom apartment which has city views from the terrace which features its own pool and entertaining area, is&nbsp;one of three penthouses within the luxury low-rise development under construction on Love Street.

The penthouse was acquired by a relative of a current Love Street resident to utilise as a secondary home when visiting Brisbane.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112020 project_image_fid=198798]

Graya co-founder and Managing Director, Rob Gray, says that while Bulimba is one of Brisbane's best suburbs, it's the architecture and lifestyle offering that makes Canvas so exceptional.

“Its design has been curated by bureau^proberts and blends elements of Singaporean, subtropical architecture with fluted concrete, converging curves and dense greenery," Gray says.

“This has resonated strongly with the market, delivering exceptional architecture and the same level of space as a large family home alongside low maintenance, luxury lifestyle amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112020 project_image_fid=198800]

”Local rightsizers and downsizers already account for more than 70 per cent of purchasers at Canvas, with only two developer-held apartments remaining for release.”

Graya was established in Brisbane in 2010 as a luxury home builder by brothers Rob and Andrew Gray. Three years ago, the company broadened its focus from high-end homes to high-end apartments, delivering the award-winning Maison in New Farm with Frank Developments in 2022.

Today, the company is a full-service design, development and construction business with more than 35 employees across its Brisbane and Gold Coast projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112020 project_image_fid=198801]

“Being the developer and the builder is a definite advantage in this market,” Gray added.

“We’ve been able to navigate the market challenges as a team, carefully manage costs, and instil confidence in our buyers that we have the capacity to deliver the project to the highest standard.

“Construction of Canvas is now well advanced, with completion scheduled in Q4 2023.”

The final penthouse within Canvas will be launched to the market in the coming weeks by MOTIV Group.

Founder and Chief Executive of MOTV Group, Carly Cottam, said the appetite of high-net worth buyers in Brisbane’s affluent inner-suburbs has showed no signs of slowing in 2023.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112020 project_image_fid=198802]

“There’s simply not enough luxury property in Brisbane to meet demand,” Cottam said.

“High-net worth individuals are seeking location, lifestyle, craftsmanship and a low-maintenance, lock up and leave solution – a combination Graya has mastered.

“This is best evidenced by the recent $4.85 million resale of an apartment at their Maison project in New Farm, representing an uplift in price of $1.25 million.

“Like Maison, Canvas will deliver enduring value through its location, architecture and build quality.

“Nothing of this standard exists in Bulimba. Until now.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112020]

The penthouse was acquired by a relative of a current Love Street resident to utilise as a secondary home when visiting Brisbane

Exclusive: Graya set apartment record with Canvas Bulimba penthouse sale

Kirra, the small enclave part of the wider Coolangatta, is one of the most sought-after spots across the whole of the Gold Coast.

There's Kirra Point, the world renowned surf break which will be the focal point of the surf events at the 2032 Summer Olympics.

Development down near the water has generally been boutique in nature over the last few years, with most apartments on Musgrave Street and Marine Parade starting from well over the $2 million mark.

Overlooking it all is Kirra Hill, slightly up the slope but still just 350 metres from the sand.

That's where Immerse Projects have found a gap in the market, bringing a more affordable product to the area which has been starved of entry-level stock since Miles Residences by KTQ sold out in early 2020.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112169 project_image_fid=207550]

Immerse, led by construction industry veteran John Kearney who leads building firm Greyburn, is developing Rhythm Kirra Hill at 30 Garrick Street, a seven-level building with just 40 apartments.

Prices start from $720,000 for the 71 sqm, one-bedroom units. The two-beds are priced under $1 million, and the largest apartments on offer, the three-bedders with a multi-purpose room, are available at $1,355,000.

A short walk from the famous surf, Rhythm is also a stone’s throw from a vibrant café and dining scene, which is just 150 metres away, with an eclectic collection of high-end restaurants, casual eateries and coffee spots, and unique bars.

The Kirra Point Precinct and The Strand Beachfront Shopping Precinct are 600 metres from Rhythm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112169 project_image_fid=207549]

Kirra and Coolangatta are also home to a collection of beachside boutiques and shopping, while also being just a short drive from national and international retailers at the Gold Coast’s major shopping centre, Pacific Fair.&nbsp;

For those who prefer to get around on public transport, there are several bus routes that service the area, with the main bus terminal located on Griffin Street.

Another popular option is to cycle or walk,&nbsp;with several dedicated paths and trails leading to the beach and other attractions within Coolangatta.&nbsp;

Greyburn kicked off construction on Rhythm in February. They anticipate an 18-month build.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112169 project_image_fid=210208]

Kearney says the company is well positioned to deliver Rhythm, having successfully completed a variety of residential projects across South-East Queensland.

“Demand for premium beachside apartments on the southern Gold Coast is higher than ever, so we are excited to be officially under construction with project certainty to bring this highly-desirable project to life."

Jayde Pezet of Pezet Matheson, who is selling Rhythm Kira Hill alongside Ashwin Property, says construction comes hot off the back of strong enquiry for the project.

“The project has been exceptionally well received and many prospective buyers have been enticed by the project’s close proximity to key lifestyle amenities,” Pezet said.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112169]

Immerse, led by construction industry veteran John Kearney who leads building firm Greyburn, is developing Rhythm Kirra Hill at 30 Garrick Street, a seven-level building with just 40 apartments

Rhythm Kirra Hill: How Rhythm apartments take advantage of the Kirra lifestyle

The need for new short-term accomodation in the Southern Gold Coast is set to be filled somewhat by the new Palm Beach Hotel, which has just been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council.

The $120 million project at 1081-1089 Gold Coast Highway will see 126 hotel rooms spread across six levels, with state-of-the-art amenities, including a rooftop pool, gym, spa, and in-house dining.

Award-winning firm Plus Architecture has been engaged to deliver the master-planned hotel.

“Being such a significant project, our team took a considered approach to create a standout development in an increasingly discerning market,” Plus Architecture Principal Danny Juric said.

<img alt="Palm Beach Hotel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45d1b919-0cc7-47c4-b145-a1a006aeab9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-22%20at%209.00.20%20am.png?VersionId=2E9imsROw7r4oJJ4JNlIOVkGpLuHNU2n" />

Rob Steer's Steer Developments is one of the joint venture partners in the project. Steer says they wanted&nbsp;to create a space that makes our guests feel something special.

"It’s about the entire experience," Steer says.

"A perfect blend of beauty, luxury, and premium quality with a calm, lush, and peaceful serenity.

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“We have always appreciated the Gold Coast’s lifestyle and are excited to contribute to its beauty and make an everlasting impact on the southern Gold Coast.

“While the northern end of the Gold Coast is flooded with hotels, the southern end is ripe for a luxury offering. Along with Mondrian set to open in Burleigh, the timing is perfect for an additional prestige hotel at Palm Beach.”

<img alt="Palm Beach Hotel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ff4f43cf-1841-4afa-86bb-d4d08c00d054" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-22%20at%208.59.02%20am.png?VersionId=rF.7Bzwhml7_tXdQGVdKICxwuTkr0yWM" />

Palm Beach Hotel will be delivered in one stage, with construction set to commence in Q4 2023 and completion estimated for Q1 2025.

Steer is fully committed to Palm Beach. He has a solo project, COTE Palm Beach, a collection of just 17 half-floor apartments nearby.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112548 project_image_fid=205283]

Cote is located on a prime 810 sqm site at 3 Thirteenth Ave, bounded to the east by Jefferson Lane and just 20 metres from the beach.

“Côte presents an exceptional opportunity for buyers to secure a masterfully designed residence in one of the best beachside locations at Palm Beach,” said Steer.

“We have ensured that Côte sensitively responds to the local context while delivering the absolute best of a luxe lifestyle that is just steps away from the beautiful beachfront, the Palm Beach village precinct and some of the southern Gold Coast’s best cafés, restaurants, bars and boutique retail.”

Demolition has begun on site, and construction is expected to commence in the coming months.

Palm Beach apartment supply has dramatically improved since the early stages of COVID, when projects sold out in double quick time.

<a href="/news/qld/apartments-supply-improves-in-palm-beach-as-graya-secure-approval-for-ripple">Read more:&nbsp;Apartments supply improves in Palm Beach as Graya secure approval for Ripple</a>

Palm Beach Hotel will be delivered in one stage, with construction set to commence in Q4 2023 and completion estimated for Q1 2025.

Palm Beach Hotel approved as Palm Beach development pipeline soars

The Rainbow Bay lifestyle is one that focuses on wellbeing.&nbsp;

Known to locals as 'the island' the idyllic stretch of coastline has long been sought after, due to its laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city living.&nbsp;

Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Group have taken the vibe of the suburb and put that into their latest residential development, Esprit, which adds a new addition to the skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172174]

Not your typical high-rise apartment complex. Crowning Esprit is Club Esprit, a unique residential rooftop deck that's designed to promote wellbeing and self-care among its residents.&nbsp;

The centrepiece of Club Esprit is its 25 metre magnesium lap pool, which is surrounded by wet daybeds and poolside cabanas, where residents will be able to lounge by the pool, soak up the sun and take in views of the coastline.

There are also multiple barbecue areas, which gives residents the ability to dine alfresco.

Club Esprit also has a yoga and relaxation play lawn where residents can unwind and stretch, with the lush greenery and serene atmosphere transporting any user to a state of zen.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172175]

For those who love to entertain, Club Esprit has a private dining room with a kitchen scullery, bar, lounges, and an outdoor terrace, positioned as the perfect setting for a dinner party or special occasion.&nbsp;

Club Esprit also boasts a rooftop wellness centre that's fully equipped with a Technogym, ice bath, infra-red sauna, steam room, thermal room, and treatment room.&nbsp;

The ice bath, infra-red sauna, and steam room provide the perfect recovery after a workout, while the thermal room is a unique feature that combines different types of heat therapy to improve circulation, boost the immune system, and relieve stress.&nbsp;If you're in need of some TLC, the treatment room is the place to be.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172173]

Hutchinson Builders are currently construction Esprit, which is slated for completion by mid-2024.

There will be 94 apartments delivered across the dual frontage site at&nbsp;217-227 Boundary Street,&nbsp;with a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments.

Cottee Parker has designed the apartments, with prices starting from just under $900,000 for a two-bed, two-bathroom and one car space apartment. The three-bedders come with two car spaces at Esprit. They range from $1,915,000 to $2,555,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102921]

Known to locals as 'the island' the idyllic stretch of coastline has long been sought after, due to its laid-back and relaxed atmosphere

Club Esprit: The ultimate rooftop retreat for wellness and self-care

Polycell Property Group has officially launched their collection of 170 two and three-bedroom apartments in Broadbeach, the Gold Coast's lifestyle-rich destination.

The Rochester Broadbeach, a five-star apartment building worth $275 million, sits on a prime 1813 sqm corner block fronting Surf Parade and Britannia Avenue, with the project offering large designer apartments.

Two-bedroom floor plans start at 112 sqm and are priced from $962,000, while three-bedroom apartments start at 156 sqm and are priced from $1.57 million. All apartments at The Rochester Broadbeach will have access to two whole floors of five-star resort and lifestyle amenities, including the Executive Club on level 26.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112276 project_image_fid=211183]

The Executive Club is a full floor of entertaining areas, including a sky lounge, private and communal dining spaces, a commercial kitchen for catering, and a cellar room with chilled individual wine and whiskey lockers for the secure storage and display of residents' fine wines and liquors.

Above the Executive Club is the Premier Collection of premium apartments, which includes two-bedroom apartments priced from $1,359 million and three-bedroom plus MPR apartments priced from $2.171 million.&nbsp;

Project sales and marketing agency, MOTIV is managing the apartment sales for The Rochester Broadbeach, who have worked through a large number of inquiries since the development application approval was announced.

Founder and CEO Carly Cottam said her team was not surprised in the high level of interest The Rochester received before the official launch, considering the continued demand for premium properties in Broadbeach.

“The Rochester is perfectly positioned for the luxury homeowner seeking designer apartments within walking distance to the beach and the premium lifestyle hub of Broadbeach, with all its cafes and restaurants,” Cottam said.

“Broadbeach is one of the most sought-after places to live in Australia and The Rochester presents the market with a unique opportunity to own a large, luxury apartment in the heart of it with everything they want and need right on their doorstep."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112276 project_image_fid=211187]

“A great deal of consideration was given to the apartment design to meet the specific needs of sophisticated property buyers seeking larger, more stylish apartments with floorplans that flow and create space.

“Add to that two whole floors of five-star resort amenity, including a health and wellness centre and an executive club, and you have an unparalleled coastal lifestyle that apartment buyers are desiring.”

Designed by award-winning architectural firm BDA Architecture, the contemporary, sculptural design and elegant interiors of The Rochester Broadbeach compliments the natural coastal beauty and buzzing city vibe of Broadbeach.

Position on the corner of Surf Parade and Britannia Avenue, residents will be within walking distance of one of the Gold Coast’s best beaches and premier destinations of Pacific Fair, Star Casino and Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The 39-level building will also be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, including 17 docking stations in the basement car park for charging electric vehicles.

Level four of The Rochester is dedicated to an expansive health and wellness centre, incorporating a state- of-the-art gym, dry and wet saunas, a cold bath and yoga lawn, while an outdoor podium with a lap pool, a second leisure pool, heated spa, sun decks, barbecues and alfresco dining areas offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean out to the Gold Coast hinterland.

The Rochester Broadbeach Project Director Graham Goldman, Managing Director of Eastview Australia, said the development team was pleased to now be releasing this collection of luxury apartments to the market for the first time.

“In collaborating with our award-winning design team, we have created a modern and timeless apartment building that maximises the site’s prime lifestyle position in the heart of Broadbeach,” Goldman said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112276 project_image_fid=211186]

“The result is an elegant, coastal-inspired style of natural stone and timbers with premium quality fittings and finishes and high-end appliances. The spaciousness is further accentuated by high ceilings in all apartments; just under 2.8 metres in the living areas and bedrooms and 2.5 metres in the bathrooms.

“Polycell and EastView have spent a great deal of time working on plans for The Rochester to get it just right, making sure we cater for residents of today, as well as the future, by including extra features we know will matter.

“We are pleased to now be in a position to present the market with this collection of premium quality apartments and with demolition well underway we look forward to the many milestones that will be achieved in the delivery of The Rochester.”

More information on the apartments at The Rochester Broadbeach can be discovered at the Sales Gallery, located at 6/20 Queensland Avenue, open by appointment for exclusive walkthroughs and personalised consultations.

The Rochester Broadbeach Display Gallery showcases a kitchen, the luxury finishes and an architectural model of The Rochester, taking purchasers on a journey through the selection of residences, variety of floorplans, interior styling options and five-star lifestyle facilities.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112276]

The Rochester Broadbeach officially launches to market

Global developer MRCB International has&nbsp;unveiled the luxury penthouse crowning their maiden Gold Coast apartment development, 26 Vista in Surfers Paradise.

The 51st-level penthouse, which will be among one of the highest apartments on the Gold Coast, spans a total of 556 sqm and features five bedrooms, one of which presents as a self-contained guest suite.

There's four balconies which offer 360-degree views of the Gold Coast. One of the balconies features an infinity plunge pool.

Raith Anderson, DBI Architects Managing Director, said 26 Vista presents as an undeniably cosmopolitan and contemporary minimalistic home, with deliberately subtropical detailing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=211251]

“This penthouse introduces a level of sophistication and craftsmanship rarely seen in Queensland," Anderson said.

"Every single element has been painstakingly designed, it’s the definition of opulent and contemporary penthouse living."

Central to the apartments is the marble and travertine kitchen, fitted with high-end V-Zug appliances.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the largest living zone, a space dominated by an arc-shaped, built-in sofa that faces the ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=211248]

MRCB International CEO Ravi Krishnan is confident that the penthouse at 26 Vista is the ultimate definition of modern luxury.

“True luxury is unwaveringly independent, meticulously crafted, with a highly resolved and curated aesthetic," Krishnan said.

"With this in mind we are leaving final design details up to the purchaser, who will get to pick finishes, paint, and smaller details so this space can be a true extension of their personality.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=211253]

“This residence is a resplendent show home, a functional family home, an uncompromising entertainer, and because of that, is a magnificent investment opportunity,” he concluded.

26 Vista is set to be one of the Gold Coast's greenest towers, with the apartments, which feature ultra-efficient appliances, have been designed to benefit from natural heating and cooling to reduce air-conditioning usage.

Residents will be encouraged to transition to electric powered vehicles with a number of EV charging ports that will future-proof the development, while a proposed EV car share service is said to be the first on-site service of this kind on the Gold Coast.

Construction is scheduled to commence on 26 Vista in Q3 of 2023, with the project scheduled for completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112730]

&nbsp;

MRCB International CEO Ravi Krishnan is confident that the penthouse at 26 Vista is the ultimate definition of modern luxury.



MRCB reveal $15 million penthouse atop 26 Vista, Surfers Paradise apartment development

Apartment supply in Palm Beach, one of the Gold Coast's most in demand areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, is starting to look a little healthier, in the wake of a number of project launches and development approvals.

The latest to be approved is Ripple Palm Beach, the boutique 19-apartment development by luxury home builder turned multi-res developer GRAYA.

Plus Architecture designed the nine level building, noting in their design statement that they took&nbsp;inspiration from the&nbsp;rhythmic dance of the ocean below, with the facade set to emulate the flow and curves of waves.&nbsp;

A mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments will be on offer, with each to benefit from their north-easterly orientation, taking advantage of views across the coastline.&nbsp;

Ripple will be crowned by two two-level penthouses, both with a rooftop terrace featuring a spa, fire pit, outdoor kitchen and dining area.&nbsp;

A suite of residential amenity will also be on offer across the ground floor, with a sauna, barbecue area and resort-style pool penned for the area.&nbsp;

They will first be launching Kloud to the market, their 20-apartment project on the dress circle Jefferson Lane. That will have a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 10 levels.

<img alt="Kloud Palm Beach" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30c7eead-c734-4639-81ff-9da71e1d6dea" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-17%20at%202.22.08%20pm.png?VersionId=NnaImjiSRWL.7NDcmYgVH_.0ypGaY4G2" /> 
A render of Kloud. Image supplied

They're just waiting for development approval for Kloud before launching later this year.

There's already been significant interest in the two projects before they've launched, the majority from Brisbane and locals. There's been a number of buyers enquire who have purchased in some of Graya's previous projects in Brisbane.

Kloud and Ripple are set to join the luxury ranks alongside STEER's Cote Palm Beach project, which will have 17 half-floor apartments, each with three-bedrooms, three-bathrooms, and two parking spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112548 project_image_fid=205283]

DKO studio director Kai Chua says the design of each apartment, balances the need for shelter and privacy whilst opening to the ocean and magnificent views. It offers all the wonders of modern coastal living with the warm, intimate embrace of home.

Demolition is currently underway on the Thirteenth Avenue project, with construction expected to start in the coming months.

Palm Beach was starved of stock when COVID-19 first hit, with Cabana Palm Beach, The Tally, The Monroe, and Hemingway, among a number to sell out in double-quick time.

There's been a large need for more affordable stock, given the forecasted population growth in Palm Beach is expected to boom over the next decade.

The most recent project launch in Palm Beach is Elevaire, which has prices starting from $715,000. Enquiry has been prominent from both Brisbane and Victoria.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=210515]

The approved nine-level tower by local developer Paul Spina has 40 apartments across nine-level, designed by Cottee Parker.There will be a ground floor, wellness-centred recreational space, with hot and cold magnesium pools, an open beach shower, sauna and day beds.There was a swell of owner-occupiers descend on Seaclusion on Twenty First Avenue when that was launched toward the end of 2022, one of the first price-pointed developments to hit the market in around two years.

All the $695,000 one-bed apartments have been taken. The two-bedroom apartments start from $950,000, and three-bedrooms from $1.495 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107136 project_image_fid=202031]

Seaclusion has been optimised for the coastal lifestyle by BDA, with a range of exclusive residents-only amenities including beach showers and sand washdown areas on the ground floor and a rooftop recreation space complete with a pool, day beds and barbecue area offering panoramic oceanfront views. 
&nbsp;

Palm Beach was starved of stock when COVID-19 first hit, with Cabana Palm Beach, The Tally, The Monroe, and Hemingway, among a number to sell out in double-quick time.

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