Longstanding Gold Coast and Canberra developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/morris-property-group">Morris Property Group</a> is continuing to roll on with its Glitter Strip apartment pipeline, seeking to return to Mermaid Beach with a new 68-apartment development.

Morris, founded by Barry Morris in 1978 and one of the Gold Coast’s most prolific apartment developers over the past two decades, has filed plans for a 12-storey mixed-use building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/36-seabeach-avenue-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">34-36 Seabeach Avenue</a>, on the prized eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway.

The 1,227 sqm site occupies a prominent corner position at Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, opposite the Mermaid Plaza retail and office precinct and around 140 metres walking distance from the future Mermaid Beach South light rail station.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a> has designed the project, which will comprise 68 apartments across a mix of 48 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom residences.

The building will rise 12 storeys, reaching a maximum height of 36 metres, with the apartments accounting for a total of 156 bedrooms. The development application also seeks approval for short-term accommodation across the 68 apartments, while two office tenancies are proposed at ground level.

The plans show 108 car spaces across the development, with parking accommodated at ground level and within a three-level basement accessed from Seabeach Avenue.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2175c99-12fd-4a3c-9be1-89bbf258a90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.41%E2%80%AFPM_0.png?VersionId=iNLzWcE6gaAE76rafhEXfHve.4g4Se0p" />

Resident amenity will be concentrated on level two, where Fraser &amp; Partners has designed a recreation deck with a swimming pool, 90 sqm pool terrace, outdoor barbecue area and gym.

The broader communal offering will also incorporate landscaped spaces, with the planning documents noting the amenity has been designed to provide areas for recreation, social interaction and outdoor living.

The proposal would continue the transformation of the Gold Coast Highway corridor through Mermaid Beach ahead of the arrival of the light rail.

The site is zoned Neighbourhood Centre and sits within the Mermaid Beach/Broadbeach Light Rail Corridor neighbourhood plan. While the prescribed building height is 24 metres, the site is identified within an Urban Neighbourhood context providing for a 50 per cent height uplift to 36 metres.

Planning documents describe the stretch of the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach as increasingly characterised by medium and high-rise development, with the proposed Morris tower joining projects including Ventura, The Alfred, Oceans and Otto.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="911f193f-e381-4a55-be08-58be87fcf978" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=oxVvLJaY.SOXEdXrIcogfyEXDfvCmmpM" />

The development would mark Morris Property Group's latest investment in Mermaid Beach, where it has already delivered two apartment projects.

Otto, at 1 Bondi Avenue on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, comprises 70 apartments across nine storeys. The project was completed in 2019 and includes a residents' gym, recreation deck and swimming pool.

Morris also developed Oceans at 46 Ocean Street, a nine-storey, 70-apartment build-to-rent development completed in 2019. Oceans was the group's first build-to-rent project and incorporates commercial space at ground level.

The two existing Morris projects sit further north along the same Gold Coast Highway corridor as the proposed Seabeach Avenue development. Fraser &amp; Partners' planning analysis specifically identifies both Otto and Oceans among the established built-form precedents surrounding the site.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14925119-7b71-4812-8149-340317512c7c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%203.00.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aEJqYuw_nTCjcin17BSD0piB1EFotTlj" />

Mermaid Beach represents only part of Morris' considerable Gold Coast footprint.

The family-owned developer has been particularly active in neighbouring Broadbeach, delivering projects including Sierra Grand, Eclipse, Synergy, Qube, Koko, Opus and Malo, while its current pipeline includes Maison and the two-tower Crest development.

Further south, Morris has also developed a string of projects in Burleigh Heads, including Element, Boardwalk and Sandbar, while Essentia expanded its footprint north into Surfers Paradise.

The Seabeach Avenue application has been lodged by PMM Broadbeach Pty Ltd and seeks a development permit for a Material Change of Use for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation and office uses. Zone Planning Group prepared the planning application, with Fraser &amp; Partners commissioned as architect.

The project comes as the developer continues to expand its Gold Coast pipeline while retaining a significant presence in Canberra. Morris now has more than $2.5 billion of development in its national pipeline and has delivered more than 7,000 homes during its near five-decade history

Joel Robinson

First look: Morris Property Group returns to Mermaid Beach with new Seabeach Avenue apartment development

<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hvFB2uWTRfEyEcpTSnnK9" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis" target="_blank">Fortis</a>&nbsp;is continuing its stronghold on Sydn​ey’s eastern suburbs apartment market, launching&nbsp;in September&nbsp;its latest boutique&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GI5S9-wNeiLUnM-d1uYkw" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">Double Bay</a>&nbsp;development,&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YNouJQcFjiTTgVHbgDLA-" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">55 William</a>.

55 William presents&nbsp;just eight north-facing&nbsp;two-bedroom, three-bedroom and full-floor&nbsp;residences to the market, priced from $4.5 million.

The upcoming launch comes just weeks after Fortis secured approval for the $80 million development, its third eastern suburbs approval in two months. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376250]

55 William adds to a growing concentration of Fortis projects in and around Double Bay, a market the developer has become increasingly active in over recent years.

Fortis previously completed the nine-residence Marmont on New South Head Road, while it is currently developing a mixed-use residential and retail project at 12 Cross Street. Its wider Double Bay footprint also extends into commercial and retail development.

The developer's broader Sydney residential pipeline is particularly concentrated across the eastern suburbs, with projects spanning Doub​le Bay, Ro​se Bay, Wo​ollahra, Dar​ling Point, Poi​nt Piper and Eli​zabeth Bay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376253]

At 55 William, Fortis has again turned to MHN Design Union, the architecture practice behind several of its eastern suburbs projects, while London-based 1508 London has been appointed to handle the interiors and Wyer &amp; Co the landscaping.

The six-level building will comprise a combination of two and three-bedroom apartments, including a garden residence, full-floor apartments, a sub-penthouse and penthouse. Each residence will have secure basement parking and private outdoor space.

A rooftop terrace for all residents, along with select apartments, enjoys views across Double Bay Harbour and toward the Sydney skyline.

Ceiling heights will reach up to three metres&nbsp;in select residences, while the kitchens will feature natural stone and integrated Gaggenau appliances.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The boutique nature of the project reflects the type of stock Fortis has increasingly targeted across Sydney's eastern suburbs, where larger apartments and smaller buildings are being pitched primarily toward local owner-occupiers and downsizers.

Fortis Group General Manager Ed Eve said the developer continues to see demand from buyers wanting to remain in the eastern suburbs but move into newer, lower-maintenance housing.

“We're seeing continued demand from local owner-occupiers and downsizers looking for high-quality homes that allow them to remain in the eastern suburbs, close to the lifestyle and community they know,” Eve said.

55 William is also one of the early projects to respond directly to the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms. Fortis had previously secured approval for just two townhouses on the 599 sqm site before revising the scheme to eight apartments following the planning changes.

Situated one street back from Double Bay's water's edge, the project enjoys an enviable harbourside setting within walking distance of Double Bay Village and the ferry wharf.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376252]

Fortis has increasingly made the eastern suburbs a major focus of its Sydney pipeline. Beyond Double Bay, it recently completed the 14-residence Piper in Point Piper and has projects underway or planned across Rose Bay, Woollahra and Darling Point.

The developer recently secured approval for Verano in Rose Bay, a six-level development comprising 21 two, three and four-bedroom apartments, also designed by MHNDU.

55 William&nbsp;is soon to be release to the market with VIP appointments commencing early September,&nbsp;with residences priced from $4.5 million.

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Fortis continues eastern suburbs push with 55 William launch

UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.

Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.

It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.

Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.

A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.

The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.

It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.

Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.

“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.

“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”

Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.

“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”

The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.

Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.

The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.

Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.

Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.

Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.

“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.

“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”

It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377495]

For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.

Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.

Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377494]

“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.

“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”

The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.

While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.

Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.

“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.

“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”

It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.

Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.

The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377688]

McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.

For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.

“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.

“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377687]

Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.

Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135149]

From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]

Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]

The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]

The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

One of the biggest trends in 2021 was developers going above and beyond to make sure their development was crowned by a luxury penthouse, with the majority expecting to see a sale in the double digits.

Given the shift in demand from one-bedroom holiday makers to the three-bedroom plus owner-occupier market, developers are ensuring there&#39;s high end penthouses or sub-penthouses, even in high density projects.

We&#39;ve had a look at some of the best penthouses on the market from the south of the Gold Coast in Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island.

<h2>Sea, Burleigh Heads 
Developer: Forme 
Price: $16&nbsp;million</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=99968 project_image_fid=188291]

There&#39;s a $16&nbsp;million price tag on the two-level penthouse crowning Forme&#39;s Koichi Takada-designed Sea, facing Burleigh Beach on The Esplanade.

The two-level space, with&nbsp;825&nbsp;sqm of space, one of the largest produced in Burleigh,&nbsp;has&nbsp;six&nbsp;bedrooms,&nbsp;six&nbsp;bathrooms, a gym,&nbsp;office and&nbsp;library, multiple kitchens and entertainment areas and a theatre.

There&#39;s a staircase leading to the exclusive rooftop, kitted out with a swimming pool,&nbsp;sun deck and alfresco&nbsp;kitchen.

<a href="/new-apartments/isabel-by-mosaic-96-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads"><img alt="" height="792" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/penthouse_pool_forme.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

&quot;It&#39;s&nbsp;our best penthouse ever produced&quot;, Forme managing director David Calvisi says.

Forme has had great success in the luxury apartment space, selling the penthouse in their nearby Norfolk, Goodwin Terrace development for $9 million, the most expensive apartment south of Mermaid Beach&nbsp;to settle. That&#39;s about half the size of the Sea penthouse on offer.

Koichi Takada also&nbsp;handled&nbsp;the design of Norfolk, which was a hit across the country. The curved facade even became one of the famous Bondi-based Aquabumps prints, going viral on Instagram and being featured by design blog Dezeen.

<a href="/new-apartments/isabel-by-mosaic-96-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads"><img alt="" height="954" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/penthouse_stairs_forme.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

<h2>Project: Emerson Kirra 
Developer: Hirsch &amp; Faigen 
Price: $8 million</h2>

Emerson at Kirra Beach, the second Gold Coast development by the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen, is crowned by an impressive $8 million, full floor space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=187937]

Spanning 494&nbsp;sqm including terracing on the 14th level, the penthouse will have four bedrooms, including a&nbsp;master suite with walk in wardrobe and an ensuite with double shower and double vanity.

It will feature over three&nbsp;metre ceilings&nbsp;and windowed walls offering unrivalled views across the ocean and distant Gold Coast skyline, as well as two living spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=187934]

<h2>Project: Glasshouse, Burleigh Heads 
Developer: Spyre</h2>

The South East Queensland developer&nbsp;Spyre Group&nbsp;is set to create one of the Gold Coast&#39;s most expensive boutique apartment projects.

Glasshouse, a collection of just three house-sized apartments, will be crowned with a multi-level penthouse, featuring its own private rooftop with swimming pool.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=104773 project_image_fid=189487]

The tiered rooftop, with spa and outdoor entertaining area, is one of the most impressive ever proposed.

&quot;The three hyper-luxury apartments are designed to frame the panorama of rolling sands and the Coral Sea that stretches north from this place of unrivalled aspect and outlook,&quot; lead architect bureau^proberts noted.

<h2>Project: The AU, Surfers Paradise 
Developer: ASF Group</h2>

ASF Group netted a near $9 million buyer for one of their tri-level penthouses. There are two penthouses in the boutique block of just 16 on The Esplanade, just across the road from the beach.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-au-52a-the-esplanade-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_au_pool_penthouse.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Offering nearly 480 sqm of space, ASF Group offer a number of customisation options for the penthouse. There&#39;s potential for the third level to become an ocean view master suite, although the plans are already for four bedrooms.

ASF Group Marketing Director Daniel Fang said there&#39;s options for a yoga or meditation room, with full-width views of the beach. That or a cinema room, or even a private gym, are other options.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6762 project_image_fid=188843]

The penthouse starts from level 17 and has a&nbsp;separate&nbsp;private lift within to access the higher levels.&nbsp;Offering 16m frontage directly facing the ocean,&nbsp;the penthouses feature four bedrooms with the second level having the option of including a lap pool.

<h2>Project: Chevron One 
Developer: Bensons Property Group 
Price: $15 million</h2>

Late last year the Melbourne-based Bensons Property Group released their higher levels to the market of their Chevron Island tower, Chevron One.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=174033]

To be the only true high-rise tower on Chevron One having been approved before stricter height limits were set on the exclusive Gold Coast island, Chevron One will soar 41 levels in to the sky.

The special penthouse crowning the development isn&#39;t actually for sale. That two-level space,&nbsp;spanning levels 40 and 41 with&nbsp;nearly 2,000 sqm of living space, the Gold Coast&#39;s largest ever penthouse, will be&nbsp;retained by&nbsp;Bensons&nbsp;Property Group&#39;s Chairman&nbsp;Elias Jreissati.

But the subpenthouse, spanning nearly 1,000 sqm of space, is up for grabs. Priced at just shy of $15 million, the penthouse will have five bedrooms, five bathrooms and garaging for four cars.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=174034]

<h2>Project: 123OBR 
Developer: Bottega Group</h2>

The boutique 13-apartment Broadbeach development, 123OBR, is capped with a sprawling two-level penthouse, with 529 sqm of internal living space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31666 project_image_fid=184148]

Bottega Group Director Nick Malloch says&nbsp;123OBR&rsquo;s penthouse is the ultimate experience of luxury beachside living on the Gold Coast.

&ldquo;123OBR&rsquo;s penthouse is a unique opportunity in that every element of the design has been carefully curated to speak to the opulence and intrinsic beauty of Gold Coast living at its very best,&rdquo; says Malloch. Elegant gallery wall corridors, floor to ceiling glazing in the living and dining space, a feature fireplace and oversized master retreat complete the experience.

<h2>Project: Miles Residences, Kirra Beach 
Developer: KTQ 
Price: $16.75 million</h2>

Last year KTQ sold out Miles Residences, all 118 apartments in their first stage of the $350 million redevelopment of the Kirra Beach Hotel. But they saved something special for 2022.

They&#39;ve just launched the two-level penthouse, with a price tag of $16.75 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27575 project_image_fid=187456]

The 760 sqm split-level penthouse will be made up of five ensuited bedrooms, a state-of-the-art gym, home office, three living areas, and a study.

The heart of the heart of the home if the open plan kitchen, living and dining area, which also homes a bar.

The penthouse also features a rooftop entertaining deck, accessed by private lift and featuring a private pool, as well as offering unobstructed views north across&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;to Surfers Paradise&nbsp;and south to Snapper Rocks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27575 project_image_fid=187457]

<h2>Project: DE-LUXE, Burleigh Heads 
Developer: Weiya Holdings 
Price: $23 million</h2>

The priciest penthouse to hit the market last year was the sprawling apartment atop the 14-level DE-LUXE in Burleigh Heads.

They Sydney-based developer Weiya Holdings, who are transforming the Old Burleigh Theatre in to 28 apartments and two beach houses, slapped a $23 million price tag on the 1,200 sqm of space, which will have six bedrooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102645 project_image_fid=178449]

There will be a number of living areas, a walk-in wine cellar and whisky room, a luxury cinema, expansive library, a sauna and steam room, a private gym, and a sky garden feature.

One of the most striking features will be the glass pool next to the living space.

Patrick Pancur has been handling the sales at DE-LUXE, which is all but sold out.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102645 project_image_fid=187548]

We've had a look at some of the best penthouses on the market from the south of the Gold Coast in Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island

An inside exclusive: The Gold Coast's best off the plan penthouses

Chevron One, set to reign as Chevron Island's only luxury high-rise apartment tower, is about to achieve another level of luxury the Gold Coast hasn't seen before.

The Melbourne-based Bensons Property Group has released its Sky Home collection, starting from levels 31 and rising to level 41, soaring nearly 100 metres in the air. Bensons hadn't released the high-level apartments, but are now seeing&nbsp;high demand in ultra-luxury, large apartments in the sky.

When complete, Chevron One will be the tallest tower on the exclusive island, and the tallest there ever will be, with the Gold Coast City Council two years ago bringing in strict planning laws, limiting future apartment projects to 33 metres, or 12 storeys.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=174034]

Crowning the development will be the Gold Coast's largest ever penthouse. The two-level penthouse, spanning levels 40 and 41, will have nearly 2,000 sqm of living space, which will make it around double the next biggest apartment.

That will be retained by Bensons Property Group's Chairman Elias Jreissati.

<blockquote>
“With the project about to enter construction, this sculptural object will maximise the well positioned site and spectacular water views. The design of Chevron One Residences has captured the character of the Gold Coast and will soon become a true icon.” 
- Rick Curtis, Managing Director, Bensons Property Group
</blockquote>

There's the opportunity for the high-end buyer to grab the sub penthouse, which would rank as one of the biggest on the Coast, offering nearly 1,000 sqm of space. That will have five bedrooms, five bathrooms and four car garaging, and is priced at just shy of $25 million. Its size puts it near the now 10-year old Soul penthouse, which recently sold for $15.75 million.

Speaking to Urban, Bensons Property Group sales and marketing manager Andrew Crichton said he's getting a lot of high end enquiry from Sydney and Melbourne, particularly downsizers whose kids have left home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There's been particular interest from Potts Point, one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=167321]

Working with Marchese Partners, the Sky Home floor-plates start from over 130 sqm for the two-bedroom apartments, which are priced from $1.5 million.&nbsp;

There's a number of three and four-bedroom Sky Homes, some spanning half and full-floors. Four-bedroom apartments, with over 360 sqm of living space, are priced from $7.25 million.

Marchese Partners made the view the hero in the design of the tower, with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors out to balconies that offer uninterrupted and never-to-be-built-out views across Surfers Paradise.&nbsp;

The kitchen benchtops will be finished with Calacatta inspired stone, and some will feature a butler's pantry, Sub Zero wine fridges, even dedicated full wine rooms.

Construction is planned to commence in the fourth quarter of 2021.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=6515]

There's a number of three and four-bedroom Sky Homes, some spanning half and full-floors

Chevron One adds further level of luxury, with the new Sky Homes release featuring the Gold Coast’s biggest ever penthouse 

The Brisbane-based&nbsp;developer&nbsp;Marquee&nbsp;Developments are making their first play on the Gold Coast.

Their latest plans submitted to the Gold Coast City Council will see a luxury high-rise tower developed at 17 Federation Avenue in Broadbeach, their first in the central Gold Coast suburb.

There will be just 22 apartments across the 20-level, 62 metre tower, crowned by a massive two-level penthouse.

Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects have drawn up the plans for the 62 metre building, which is targeted at the owner-occupier, with six two-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom apartments and 10-four bedders.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="672" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/marquee_broadbeach_2.jpg" width="1200" />

Levels two to seven will home two apartments per floor, then from level eight upwards will be nine whole-floor, four-bedroom apartments, each with over 290 sqm of living space and a media room. The building is oriented so the balconies capture views of the ocean to the south-east, and south-west to the hinterland.

The four-bedroom penthouse spans the top two levels. The bedrooms are located on the first level, then stairs from the library space lead to the upstairs living areas. The open plan kitchen and living area opens to a 30 sqm balcony, while a second lounge area opens to a 70 sqm terrace with its own private pool.

Each of the three bedroom apartments will&nbsp;have a master with walk-in wardrobes and balconies starting from over 16 sqm.

The ground level will offer residents 230 sqm of communal space and amenity, including a swimming pool and&nbsp;spa, dining and barbecue area and a lounge /cinema room.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="867" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/marquee_broadbeach_1.jpg" width="1200" />

Marquee, not to be confused with Marquee Development Partners who exclusively operate in the area, secured the 632 sqm site, mid-way along Federation Avenue, between the intersections of Australia Avenue to the north and Queensland Avenue to the south, early this year for $3.69 million. Currently on the site is the mid 1970s apartment building Marmadua, a three-storey walk up with basement parking underneath.

Marquee's track record is a successful one in Brisbane.

Founded in 2012 by Nick Madden and John Langford-Ely, Marquee's patch has primarily been in the luxury townhouse space just outside of the Brisbane CBD.

TOWN PLANNING REPORT

The overall form of the proposed development has been developed through considered analysis of the context and character of the site and its surroundings, and the intended city form for this urban neighbourhood focused on the Principal Centre of Broadbeach and within the Light Rail urban renewal corridor of the City.

The tower form and materiality combined delivers a slender tower with horizontal façade treatments, extensive balconies with recessed glazing lines and materials (including colour palette) that presents a high-quality architectural finish, enhancing the visual interest and character of the built form in its context to deliver a desirable city form outcome and a positive addition to the streetscape character Federation Avenue.

The façade is broken up by generous balconies that are oriented to the west overlooking Federation Avenue and the hinterland backdrop, and to the east towards the ocean.

The development ensures the internal spaces afford a high level of comfort and quality, benefiting from climatic responsive design that incorporates screening and shade elements, a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces and facilitates access to prevailing breezes, natural sunlight, ocean views

There will be just 22 apartments across the 20-level, 62 metre tower, crowned by a massive two-level penthouse

Broadbeach set for luxury apartment tower

The busy Sunshine Coast developer Cube Developments has seen an unprecendented uptake in apartments over the last six weeks, securing nearly $16 million in sales in their Birtinya apartment development, Seasons.

The keenest buyers have been first home buyers and investors, who have been attracted to&nbsp;the affordable $499,000 entry point for a two-bedroom apartment in the Cottee Park-designed development.

There&#39;s been 25 sales in the past six weeks or so in the first stage release. Now Cube are looking at launching stage two.

Scott Juniper, Cube&#39;s director, said buyers have been attracted to the project&#39;s plethora of amenities and location.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106957 project_image_fid=173763]

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve witnessed strong uptake from both first home buyers and investors who are drawn to Seasons&rsquo; amenities, which provides incredible value for money given the price point,&quot; Juniper says.

&ldquo;All while being located in the heart of it all, Birtinya is really starting to come into its own; residents will enjoy waterfront vistas, beach access is just moments away and as it is a relatively new suburb, it has fantastic infrastructure to cater to demand.&rdquo;

Amenities include outdoor BBQ and gathering spaces, private dining room, lounging areas, sun decks, a 25-metre lap pool, fully equipped gym, yoga studio, spa and sauna.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106957 project_image_fid=173762]

&ldquo;Purchasers have also been eager to secure something in today&rsquo;s market as opposed to bidding it out at auction and being overpriced,&quot; Juniper added.

&ldquo;A perfect example is the latest Birtinya home that saw 16 bidders partake in front of a packed street. Buying off the plan allows purchasers to secure today&rsquo;s market rate, which is likely to only increase as demand for this suburb soars.&rdquo;

Cube commissioned Timothy Birch Studio to install a large scale public art that scales the sides of the building, which has been another drawcard for buyers.

Fusing architecture, materiality and art, the installation will scale&nbsp;tower one and tower two, spanning up to seven stories.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=106957]

There's been 25 sales in the past six weeks or so in the first stage release. Now Cube are looking at launching stage two

First home buyer and investor demand soars at Cube Developments Birtinya apartment project, Seasons

Construction of Brookfield Residential Properties&rsquo; Rivello apartment tower in Hamilton on the Brisbane River will start in October.

The commencement is six months earlier than scheduled after $118m in sales were secured within weeks of the development&rsquo;s August launch.

More than 80 per cent of the 150 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, sub-penthouses and penthouses in Rivello have been sold off-the-plan.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102922 project_image_fid=171473]

The sales include two penthouses at $5.5 million each at the 15 Wharf Street, Hamilton project.

Urban reported on its launch that it had been the higher end apartments in the $147 million, 21-level building designed by Cottee Parker Architects which had been among the first to sell.

Brookfield Residential Properties&rsquo; managing director Lee Butterworth told the Courier Mail it was &quot;a significant achievement to reach this sales milestone so quickly.&quot;

&quot;It is a credit to the lifestyle-centred design and desirable Brisbane River position, together with the exceptional demand in the market.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102922 project_image_fid=174005]

Two bedroom apartments were priced from $605,000.

Completion is now scheduled in late 2023 with Brookfield noting the availability of building supplies had been factored into the development program by the Tomkins Commercial and Industrial Builders.

Rivello is the ninth building to be developed at Portside by Brookfield.

The new building will be developed on a 2,829 sqm site, neighbouring Brookfield Residential Properties&rsquo; most recent residential projects &ndash; Gallery House One and Two.

Brookfield Residential Properties’ managing director Lee Butterworth said the building program had been brought forward by six months

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Brookfield brings forward Rivello, Hamilton construction start after quick 80% apartment sales success

After an incredible year of sales, 95% of the luxury residences at Allure Chevron Island have now sold, with only a handful of opportunities remaining.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re very happy with the way things are progressing at the moment,&rdquo; Roy Skaf, Managing Director of developer Macquarie York, says.

Secluded on the Gold Coast&rsquo;s Chevron Island, yet still connected to the very best that Surfers Paradise has to offer, Allure is a landmark of design and style, set to offer the ultimate experience in luxury coastal living for its residents.

With the tower almost completely sold out, residents are mostly made up of local downsizers who are familiar with the exceptional lifestyle the location offers and are looking for a high- quality, contemporary home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21132 project_image_fid=152886]

&ldquo;What drove me to Allure was being able to maintain that centralised location, whilst also being able to have a quality, finished product at a reasonable price,&rdquo; Ben, a new buyer at Allure, says.

So, Why Allure?

Allure&rsquo;s stunning location has been a key factor in its success. The relaxed atmosphere of Chevron Island allows each residence to feel like a secluded oasis, while the island&rsquo;s amenities will mean everything you need to lead an extraordinary life is at your fingertips. The Surfers Paradise area is home to an abundance of shopping, dining and recreation options, affording residents endless opportunities to explore and indulge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21132 project_image_fid=33504]

And for when you want to stay close to home, there are a wealth of truly spectacular facilities within the building, designed to enhance residents&rsquo; quality of life far beyond the norm. The rooftop is home to a magnificent infinity pool where you can bask in the majesty of the city views. There are also beautifully landscaped viewing decks and BBQ facilities that provide the ideal atmosphere for entertaining family and friends.

Each apartment is inherently opulent and meticulously crafted to create a feeling of sanctuary, high above the city. Expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces flow seamlessly together, taking full advantage of the breathtaking views and sub-tropical climate. All residences boast a neutral colour palette, allowing residents to impart your individual style to every space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21132 project_image_fid=152888]

Construction is well underway at Allure and is expected to finish on schedule by the middle of next year.

This could be your last opportunity to secure a stunning home at this highly desired address, with skyhomes at Allure now selling from $1 million.

“We’re very happy with the way things are progressing at the moment,” Roy Skaf, Managing Director of developer Macquarie York, says

Last chance to buy in the Gold Coast apartment development, Allure

A locked-down Sydney buyer has snapped up the penthouse in the Gold Coast&rsquo;s own apartment principality &ndash; The Monaco &ndash; for $9.5 million, as developer Ignite Projects pushes forward with construction next week ahead of an imminent sell out.

The Monaco, which has been two years in the making, is being developed by Ignite Projects and built by McNab Builders, opposite the Southport Yacht Club at the doorway to the much-loved Spit.

The Sydney-based buyer of the expansive two-level 630 sqm penthouse was impressed by the design and unrivalled location, and plans to use it for his &lsquo;forever home&rsquo;.

The penthouse sale caps off a buying rush with all but one of the 24 residences in the $110 million building sold with an average sale price of $4.6 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730 project_image_fid=83447]

Ignite Projects managing director Josh Foote said buyers in the opulent development will have the veritable keys to the kingdom when construction is completed in 2023.

&ldquo;The Monaco in many ways represents the renaissance of Main Beach, with the building replacing an aging unit block and a well-known house, referred to locally as the &lsquo;container home&rsquo;,&rdquo; Mr Foote said.

&ldquo;The building is setting a new standard for the suburb, which is getting a well-deserved facelift thanks to the $205 million revitalisation of the Spit to turn it into the Gold Coast&rsquo;s version of Hyde Park and a 300-berth marina at The Southport Yacht Club.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730 project_image_fid=83449]

Mr Foote said buyers have been attracted to the attention to detail and customisation options available in the residences.

&ldquo;Buyers can customise their apartment, including their entire kitchen and have access to first-class facilities including a 24-metre heated pool alongside a private dining area and virtual golf simulator,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;I liken each apartment to an art gallery because of the thought that has gone into every aspect from the Greek marble and Spanish handmade wall tiles in the ensuite through to the designer cocktail bar and fluted columns throughout. It is all about luxury and refined living.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730 project_image_fid=83445]

Andrew Erwin, of NPA Projects, who is marketing The Monaco, said buyers are responding to the enhanced level of amenity on offer.

&ldquo;Each apartment in The Monaco has the feel of a penthouse with unrivalled luxury,&rdquo; Mr Erwin said.

&ldquo;The apartments in The Monaco have sold really well and to be almost sold out before construction even starts is an amazing achievement.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730 project_image_fid=83448]

&ldquo;Buyers have come from interstate and locally within Main Beach, which is the home of luxury apartment living on the Gold Coast.

&ldquo;The median apartment sale price in Main Beach in May was $795,000 &ndash; more than $300,000 above the Gold Coast median of $458,000.&rdquo;

The Monaco contains a collection of 25 full-floor and half-floor residences at 2-4 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach.

Andrew Erwin, of NPA Projects, who is marketing The Monaco, said buyers are responding to the enhanced level of amenity on offer.

Construction begins at The Monaco, Main Beach apartment tower, as penthouse sells for $9.5 million

The Brisbane-based Aria Property Group has won two awards at the 2021&nbsp;QLD Master Builders Award for its West End apartment development, Tree House.

Tree House, designed by Rothelowman, won the overall&nbsp;2021 QLD Master Builders Award for Residential (Regional), as well as the award for residential high-rise building over $20 million.

The development of 90 apartments was inspired by the leafy and tranquil suburb of West End, taking cues from Davies Park with over sixty mature trees are integrated throughout the development, to deliver a living and breathing urban forest.

Aria has had further success with one of their recently completed apartment projects.

The popular South Brisbane tower, The Standard, located in the heart of the Fish Lane arts precinct, has seen off the plan investors sell their apartments, secured before construction was complete, for between 10 per cent and 38 per cent higher than what they paid, with owner-occupiers showing the greatest keenness.

Investors who have held on to their apartments are&nbsp;also seeing&nbsp;strong 5.48 per cent rental yields throughout the building.

ARIA&#39;s latest development is Trellis, the Rothelowman-designed 12-level apartment block at 20 Edmonstone Street, also in South Brisbane.

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The development of 110 two and three-bedroom apartments is located&nbsp;adjacent to Musgrave Park,&nbsp;one of Brisbane&rsquo;s oldest and most iconic parklands.

ARIA say Trellis is one of their most liveable apartments to date, featuring three metre high ceilings, Miele appliances, operable glazing and a number of sustainable features.

Reminiscent of an urban retreat, Trellis reflect a new age of living, with work from home spaces and cross flow ventilated corridors.

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Trellis also has some of the highest resident amenity ARIA have offered, with&nbsp;1,119 sqm&nbsp;of recreational amenity across the Temple of Wellness on the ground floor and the Residents&rsquo; Rooftop Club on level 13.

Completion is slated for mid-2023 
 
Aria Property Group has been awarded Australia&#39;s best high-density developer in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

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ARIA's latest development is Trellis, the Rothelowman-designed 12-level apartment block at 20 Edmonstone Street, also in South Brisbane

Aria Property Group win Master Builders awards for West End apartments Tree House, launch Trellis at South Brisbane

The New Farm apartment development Arcilla, a collaboration between architect-turned developer Joe Adsett and&nbsp;Craig Purdy of Purdy Developments, has been given the green light by the Brisbane City Council.

Arcilla, a boutique $30 million block of just nine apartments in the&nbsp;prestigious cul de sac of Maxwell Street, draws inspiration from the character Spanish mission architectural styles which pervade the local streets of New Farm.

&ldquo;In our search for inspiration we chose the language of the Spanish Mission architectural style which is adored by many for its unique and beautiful architectural details like the fluted terracotta roof tiles and iconic arches,&quot; Adsett says.

Neville Court, the&nbsp;Spanish Mission heritage residence designed in 1936 by the prominent interwar architects Chambers and Ford, sits next door.

The project&nbsp;name,&nbsp;Arcilla,&nbsp;is&nbsp;a Spanish word meaning terracotta.

<img alt="" height="899" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/arcilla_new_farm_2.jpeg" width="1160" />

&quot;We took one of the red roof tiles and have used this shape as the mold for the concrete on the fa&ccedil;ade of the building and we will be adding terracotta accents to the mix of the concrete to achieve the beautiful coloring on the sun exposed faces of the building,&quot; Adsett added.

&quot;I am most excited about the structural concrete columns which curve and become the ceiling. It&rsquo;s a design language we can continue to refine across our portfolio of projects. With the Olympic spotlight upon Brisbane its important we design our boutique buildings to be unique and speak the language of Brisbane&rsquo;s place and identity.&rdquo;

Arcilla, at 28 Maxwell Street, will span five-storeys and will have&nbsp;eight three bedroom apartments and one four bedroom apartment, which will span the whole of the top level.&nbsp;

The 845 sqm Maxwell St block was bought for $4 million. It had an old four-storey apartment building on the property.

Craig Purdy said as a group, their&nbsp;focus is upon developing boutique buildings and delivering oversized apartments to targeted buyers who are seeking a genuine alternative to a house in the inner city.

&quot;Apartments of this size have historically been reserved for riverfront locations however we believe there is an increasing market for those buyers seeking lifestyle and good design in a premium location with river and city views from most residences.

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&quot;The response to our projects has been overwhelming and with the oversubscribed demand for every project we continue to search for great opportunities in which to develop our next offering to an undersupplied market.&rdquo;

Arcilla&nbsp;is the second development by the pair, following on from the success of the 16-apartment development Botanic, also in New Farm, which sold out in February this year. Botanic is now in the final stages of construction.

The project name, Arcilla, is a Spanish word meaning terracotta

Joe Adsett-designed New Farm apartment development Arcilla gets approval

Palm Beach, the in-demand suburb on the Gold Coast,&nbsp;&nbsp;is gearing up for another boutique apartment project, with the current supply&nbsp;of apartments well outstripped by the demand for the area.

The longstanding Gold Coast family and development company Chippendale Group, headed by fifth-generation family member and local businessman Daniel Chippendale,&nbsp;has received approval for the boutique development, Eva on Tenth.

The development of 48 apartments at&nbsp;1214-1220 Gold Coast Highway, in the heart of the emerging Palm Beach precinct and between Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks, has been designed by BDA Architecture, who were inspired by the natural landforms of the Burleigh Headland.

&quot;The architecture of the proposed development is minimal and hard-lined, with cantilevered concrete frames and a textured and timeless material palette of white brick, coloured concrete, timber screening and grooved panelling creating a rich and layered coastal effect,&quot; BDA&#39;s submission to the Gold Coast City Council read.

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Spanning nine levels, the project will home one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as four penthouses, each located on the top level. The penthouses&nbsp;will have three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, large balconies, and the best views of the Palm Beach skyline.

The product, a rare affordable proposition in an area littered with luxury apartments under construction and in the pipeline, starts from $475,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, $670,000 for a two-bedroom unit and $1.35 million for the three bedroom apartments, which also come with two car spaces.

The Chippendale Group were proactive in identifying the current trends in the market, requesting to the Gold Coast City Council to amend the approved plans, which had 28 one-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom apartments and just the two three-bedroom apartments.

They were wanting to better meet the demands of the current market and reflect the local housing need in the area, so are now set for nine one-bedroom apartments, 23 two-bedroom apartments and 16 three-bedders.

Daniel Chippendale said that the inspiration behind Eva Tenth Avenue is about creating homes that allow others to share in the beauty of Palm Beach.

<img alt="" height="729" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/eva_location.jpg" width="1200" />

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re proud of our family history and wanted to reflect our legacy in creating a beautiful product to pay homage to the local area,&quot; Chippendale added.

&ldquo;My family has been here for generations and we have created many wonderful memories on the coast. We want to share a part of our family history with others to help them create their own memories.&rdquo;

Keenan &amp; Co agent Tim Keenan is marketing the project.

&ldquo;Eva Tenth Avenue is an excellent example of a perfect location combined with beautifully designed apartments. We also still believe the Southern Gold Coast is undervalued compared with other stunning beachside locations like Noosa and Byron Bay,&rdquo; Keenan said.

&ldquo;The development has been designed to complement the local area and is truly a unique project brought to life with a high level of thought and consideration for buyers to own their own slice of Palm Beach.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108429 project_image_fid=193751]

The ground floor will have a pool, communal lounge area, gym, yoga lawn and a barbecue area, surrounding by lush sub-tropical landscaping.

About the developer

The Chippendale family extend their grass roots dating back generations on the southern Gold Coast, founding the Currumbin Vikings Surf Life Saving Club in 1919 and popular Australian honey brand Capilano Honey.

The family has been involved in gold coast property for decades, having built the first home in Currumbin in the early 19th century.

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Daniel Chippendale said that the inspiration behind Eva Tenth Avenue is about creating homes that allow others to share in the beauty of Palm Beach.



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