<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;

Joel Robinson

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

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

Gold Coast developer <a href="/developers/alroe-constructions">Alroe</a> is approaching a full sellout at The Finn, its premium boutique development in Mermaid Beach.

Six of the eight apartments in the Albatross Avenue development have sold, predominantly to local downsizers. The final two villas are now for sale.

The remaining villas – priced from $3 million – include a ground-floor residence, Villa 1, which will be marketed through a standard expressions of interest campaign, and an upper-level residence, Villa 6, which will be open for inspection from April 19 ahead of a scheduled auction event on May 8.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113112 project_image_fid=347272]

There have been more than $23.5 million worth of sales in The Finn, something&nbsp;Tye Alroe, CEO of Alroe, says reflects a broader market shift as long-time homeowners in central Gold Coast suburbs look to capitalise on capital growth and secure luxury homes with less maintenance, without compromising on lifestyle.

“We’re seeing a continued push from established locals who are selling large family homes and opting for a premium residence in familiar, well-connected locations,” Alroe said.

“The Finn meets that need – it’s low-density, design-led, and offers the level of sophistication buyers expect when downsizing from multimillion-dollar homes.”

Sales have averaged close to $4 million, underlining sustained demand in the top end of the market.

“This is a segment that’s growing rapidly – equity-rich locals, including downsizers and professionals, want space, style and proximity to lifestyle amenities without moving into high-rise buildings," Alroe added.

“Our strategy has always been to deliver premium boutique residences in blue-chip locations that offer lasting value, and The Finn is a direct result of that focus.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113112 project_image_fid=347271]

Positioned just metres from Hedges Avenue and within walking distance of the beach, The Finn features eight architecturally designed villas ranging in size from 214 sqm to 390 sqm.

Each residence includes expansive three-bedroom layouts, private pools or rooftop terraces, and curated landscaping to enhance privacy and liveability. The design draws on coastal-inspired materials and finishes, including Venetian render, 
travertine stone, large-format floor plans, and three-metre ceilings.

Each residence also includes dedicated home offices, private garages, and multiple living zones tailored for owner-occupiers.

With new luxury townhouse supply in central locations remaining limited, The Finn has resonated with a niche yet deep buyer pool – primarily local, equity-rich, and intent on staying close to family and familiar lifestyle precincts.

The project follows the success of <a href="/new-apartments/lune-main-beach-19-21-rankin-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">Alroe’s Lune at Main Beach</a> and continues the developer’s strategy of delivering boutique residential offerings in high-demand coastal suburbs.

Alroe completes The Finn at Mermaid Beach with just two apartments remaining

The Gold Coast’s beachfront is on track to become the most connected coastal strip in the country.

The existing light rail system, known locally as the G:LINK, currently runs from Helensvale in the north down to Broadbeach South.

Stage three of the G:LINK will soon extend the line further south to Burleigh Heads, while stage four is set to continue the route all the way to Coolangatta and the Gold Coast Airport—a level of beachfront connectivity that even Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs can’t match.

As a result, suburbs like Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, and Bilinga are expected to become even more desirable than they already are, with improved public transport further boosting their appeal to both buyers and investors.

In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting new developments across the southern Gold Coast that will directly benefit from the upcoming G:LINK extensions.

<h2>What: ONE Burleigh Heads</h2>

<h3>Where: 88 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220</h3>

<h3>Who: MAYD Group</h3>

MAYD Group's ultra-luxury ONE Burleigh development will be the closest to a new light rail stop when it is delivered.

Construction recently commenced on ONE Burleigh, which will be a stone's throw from the Second Avenue stop. It will comprise 16 full-floor apartments when it is completed in summer 2026.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323052]

The development will also feature a spa, hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, steam room, and a grand lobby lounge.

Construction <a href="/news/qld/mayd-kicks-off-construction-of-ultra-luxury-one-burleigh-apartment-development-in-burleigh-heads?utm_source=Iterable&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=PROOF_CAMPAIGN_NAME&amp;csl=8d714fbbbefa50853681a54fae4f9af940f2dddf&amp;iterableEndUserId=8d714fbbbefa50853681a54fae4f9af940f2dddf&amp;iterableEmailCampaignId=-12345">is being undertaken</a> by MAYD in partnership with Formplus.

<h2>What: Burly Residences</h2>

<h3>Where: 264-268 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220</h3>

<h3>Who: DD Living​</h3>

One kilometre north of ONE Burleigh is DD Living's <a href="/new-apartments/burly-residences-north-burleigh-264-268-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads">Burly Residences</a>, which will be just 300m from the Christine Avenue stop, the stop before Second Avenue.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134791 project_image_fid=328216]

The 25-level beachfront development offers just over 100 luxury apartments and two full levels of facilities including several swimming pools, a gym with Peloton room, steam room, sauna, yoga and Pilates lounge, a private cinema, barbecue area, casual and formal dining, kitchen, teppanyaki bar, private office, executive lounge and a bar.

Legendary Japanese architect&nbsp;<a href="/architects/koichi-takada-architects" target="">Koichi Takada</a>&nbsp;designed Burly Residences, and the interiors were handled by the equally regarded interior practice, MIM Design, led by design doyenne Miriam Fanning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134791 project_image_fid=328218]

Construction firm Gowdie Management Group has started the build phase of the $535 million apartment development on a prime beachfront site at The Esplanade.

<h2>What: Villea Palm Beach</h2>

<h3>Where: 26 Mawarra Street, Palm Beach QLD 4221​</h3>

<h3>Who: Abadeen Group​</h3>

<a href="/developers/abadeen-group">Abadeen</a>'s debut Gold Coast apartment development, Villea, due for completion later this year, will be 650 metres from the proposed Nineteenth Avenue light rail stop at the northern end of Palm Beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=336452]

Villea offers 69 two and three-bedroom north-facing apartments with views over Palm Beach and back to the hinterland.

<a href="/new-apartments/villea-palm-beach-26-mawarra-street-palm-beach-qld-4221">Villea</a> features resort-style amenities, including a pool, gym, and outdoor BBQ area, all within a short stroll to Palm Beach's pristine shoreline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=336442]

The ground-floor precinct features a carefully curated selection of boutique retail spaces, great for grabbing a coffee or picking up local products.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/abadeen-finds-untapped-palm-beach-pocket-for-debut-gold-coast-apartment-development-villea">Abadeen finds untapped Palm Beach pocket for debut Gold Coast apartment development, Villea</a>

<h2>What: Pescado</h2>

<h3>Where: 228–230 Jefferson Lane, Palm Beach QLD 4221</h3>

<h3>Who: YLB Property Developments​</h3>

<a href="/new-apartments/pescado-palm-beach-228-230-jefferson-lane-palm-beach-qld-4221">Pescado</a>, one of the most popular developments on the Gold Coast right now because of its DJ developer DJ Fisher, will be 500m from the proposed Elevent Avenue light rail stop when the extension completes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149651 project_image_fid=342045]

The $50 million development, on the dress circle Jefferson Lane, is being developed by the Fishers' new development company, <a href="/developers/ylb-property-developments">YLB Property Developments</a>, and will home just seven ultra-luxury apartments designed by the Fishers and <a href="/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>.

The Fishers, who intend to retain the two-level penthouse, have already appointed Gold Coast construction company <a href="/builders/hnkn">HNKN</a> to build Pescado.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149651 project_image_fid=342040]

Designed with an emphasis on wellness, functionality, and meaningful social spaces, Pescado features a resort-style pool, gym, cold plunge, BBQ, and dining areas, encouraging a balanced lifestyle.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/dj-fisher-launches-pescado-luxury-palm-beach-apartment-development">DJ Fisher launches Pescado, luxury Palm Beach apartment development</a>

<h2>What: Pipis Bilinga</h2>

<h3>Where: 303 Golden Four Drive, Bilinga QLD 4225</h3>

<h3>Who: Siera Property Group​</h3>

<a href="/new-apartments/pipis-bilinga-303-golden-four-drive-bilinga-qld-4225">Pipis</a> is the only off the plan apartment development currently in market in <a href="/developments/bilinga-qld-4225">Bilinga</a>.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=264299]

The soon-to-be-completed building with 19 luxury apartments will be 500 metres&nbsp;from the proposed Boyd Street light rail stop.

Residents of PIPIS will have access to a range of private ground-floor amenities, including a 15-metre heated lap pool with a sun lounge deck, a fully equipped gym with rowing, biking, and reformer Pilates facilities, a dog wash station, an outdoor rain-head shower, and direct beachfront access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=341453]

Developer <a href="/developers/siera">SIERA</a> has been working toward the completion of the luxury 11-level Golden Four Drive development. They are anticipating welcoming residents in mid-2025.

They recently released the penthouses atop Pipis, some of the best ever produced in Bilinga.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/pipis-penthouses-turn-heads-in-bilinga">PIPIS penthouses turn heads in Bilinga</a>

With the G:LINK light rail set to extend all the way to the Gold Coast Airport, suburbs like Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, and Bilinga are becoming some of the most connected—and desirable—beachfront locations in the country

The Southern Gold Coast is about to boom — here's why

Caloundra is set for a rare new apartment development with the launch of Sunset Caloundra, a new collection of apartments from the Brisbane-based <a href="/developers/dusk-group">Dusk Group</a>.

Dusk Group swooped on the prime 1,255 sqm Bombala Terrace site last year, revising the previous plans to create a seven-level building with 36 apartments, where prices start from $650,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148795 project_image_fid=346471]

Several of the apartments in <a href="/new-apartments/sunset-by-dusk-group-caloundra-5-7-bombala-terrace-caloundra-qld-4551">Sunset&nbsp;Caloundra</a> have already been snapped up by South East Queensland locals, who intend to either reside in the homes or use them as weekenders.

<a href="/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture Studio</a> designed the building, drawing inspiration from Caloundra’s coastal character, with a material palette that references the colours and textures of the surrounding landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148795 project_image_fid=346469]

Lead architect Nick Symonds said the gently curved balconies, textured finishes, and generous glazing were designed to respond to both the subtropical climate and the area’s laid-back lifestyle.

The development will also include a ground-floor swimming pool, BBQ facilities, communal green space, and a residents’ lounge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148795 project_image_fid=346475]

The building’s position offers wide-ranging views in multiple directions. Apartments on higher levels are expected to have outlooks over Bulcock Beach and Bribie Island to the east, with glimpses of the Glasshouse Mountains to the west.

Dusk Group Director Anthony Short said the project’s location was a key factor in its appeal.

“It’s rare to find sites in Caloundra that offer this combination of elevation, walkability, and proximity to both beach and town centre,” he said.

Within a short walk are Kings Beach, the Caloundra Bowls Club, Bicentennial Park, a local supermarket, and nearby cafés and dining options. The suburb is also earmarked for a future train station as part of the Sunshine Coast rail extension.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148795 project_image_fid=346466]

Dusk Group is expecting to commence construction of Sunset Caloundra in Q2 2025.

The developer is also nearing completion of Aurora on Depper, a boutique townhouse development in St Lucia, Brisbane. The <a href="/developments/caloundra-qld-4551">Caloundra</a> project marks the company’s first foray into the Sunshine Coast apartment market.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=148795]

Dusk Group is expecting to commence construction of Sunset Caloundra in Q2 2025.

Dusk Group launches Sunset Caloundra apartments

One-bedroom apartments in Brisbane's hot new and off the plan property market are few and far between.

Auspace Developments Group however has carved out a pocket in Gaythorne, less than 10km north of Brisbane, where they're offering one-bedroom apartments in their new development from just $600,000.

<a href="/new-apartments/astra-apartments-gaythorne-16-station-avenue-gaythorne">Astra Apartments</a> will comprise just&nbsp;12 one and two-bedroom residences in the heart of the small northern suburb between Alderley and Everton Park.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148948 project_image_fid=320220]

The apartments reflect careful planning, with sizes ranging up to 158 sqm, including expansive courtyards and patios, providing generous living spaces uncommon in many new developments.&nbsp;

The interiors are designed with practicality and longevity in mind. Kitchens feature Italian-made Ariston appliances, including induction cooktops and integrated dishwashers, alongside soft-close storage solutions.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148948 project_image_fid=320224]

&nbsp;

Astra is strategically located less than 100m from <a href="/developments/gaythorne-qld-4051">Gaythorne</a> Station, which is just 24 minutes to the CBD.

Residents of Astra will benefit from the proximity to the station's surrounding amenity, from coffee at the nearby Hobby Lane to dining at Little Thai Restaurant.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=148948]

Astra is strategically located less than 100m from Gaythorne Station, which is just 24 minutes to the CBD.

Astra Gaythorne offers Brisbane's most affordable new apartments

Burgeoning Gold Coast developer Polycell is fast becoming one of the busiest developers in Broadbeach.

Polycell is nearing a sellout of <a href="/new-apartments/the-rochester-broadbeach-143-surf-parade-broadbeach">The Rochester</a>, their debut apartment development on the Gold Coast, which they are currently constructing through their newly established construction arm. Just last month, the company <a href="/news/qld/first-look-polycell-approved-for-next-broadbeach-apartment-development">secured approval</a> for its second project at <a href="/new-apartments/167-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach">167 Old Burleigh Road</a>.

Now they've submitted plans for what will be their third project, having successfully completed the buyout of the apartment owners at the <a href="/new-apartments/sandpiper-broadbeach-155-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach">12-level Sandpiper building</a>, also on Old Burleigh Road.

<img alt="Polycell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="067d3cc5-c1d5-4676-bf18-83a00e38c8ae" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-05-02%20at%209.58.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yca5eX3jeupb_EqtyPZR_kIdcA9tIGCY" />

It's the third time they've called on BDA to handle the designs, after the local architecture firm put the plans together for The Rochester and their other approved project.

They said in the design statement the project presents an exciting opportunity to create a landmark residential tower within the vibrant, high-density Broadbeach precinct.

"The proposed fifty two storey residential apartment tower will feature a timeless façade inspired by the surrounding coastal context, establishing it as a unique sculptural addition to the Broadbeach skyline," BDA noted.

"Carefully designed to respect the character of Broadbeach’s high-density precinct, the project addresses key opportunities presented by the site.&nbsp;The design highlights exceptional architecture, thoughtfully designed public edges, boutique communal amenities, and lush subtropical landscaping, making it a valuable and sustainable addition to the Broadbeach area."

<img alt="Polycell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="65075f78-0815-44ec-a2bc-cc3910ba4ed7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-05-02%20at%2010.05.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=y9KN87EyiDZQgwFqxVZW.z64bviqXB.g" />

They said the spacious apartments&nbsp;are designed to accommodate a range of varying demographics, with an emphasis on maximising natural ventilation and light.

Of the 216 apartments, 146 (or 67 per cent) will be two-bedroom. The plans incorporate 65 three-bedroom apartments, three four-bedroom apartments, and two five-bedroom, full-floor sub-penthouses, each spanning 736 sqm.

The lower portion of the tower will comprise just six apartments per floor, while&nbsp;the upper levels offers a selection of larger apartments.

<img alt="Sandpiper" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87ca0e97-e014-4224-9a41-80739744b838" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-05-02%20at%209.58.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=N.PPsXAs7sa..3Qrjyg0OjcwcIA_ldzD" />

Much like The Rochester, Polycell has proven themselves to be committed to a high-level of resident amenity, and Sandpiper will be no different.

There will be three levels of dedicated facilities, starting from the&nbsp;podium level which will feature a lap pool with floating day beds, a communal kitchen, dining and lounge area, a gym with a yoga room, a games room with a golf simulator, and a wellness area with a spa, hot and cold pluinges and a sauna and steam room.

The 33rd and 34th level of the building will be home to the residents club that will have similar amenity to the podium level, but also meeting rooms, a two-level club lounge with a spiral staricase, a wine room and ajdoining private dining areas, a library, and a cinema.

&nbsp;

It's the third time they've called on BDA to handle the designs, after the local architecture firm put the plans together for The Rochester and their other approved project

First look exclusive: Polycell files Sandpiper redevelopment plans after owner buyout

Brisbane developer Stockwell is planning more apartments in <a href="/developments/west-end-qld-4101">West End</a>.

The developer, who has delivered over 700 apartments in West End alone, has sought to add another 132 more.

They've filed plans to the Brisbane City Council for a 15-level tower on <a href="/new-apartments/33-vulture-street-west-end">33 Vulture Street</a>, on the site of the former&nbsp;Queensland Can Factory. The proposal retains two of the 1939 factory facades along Paris and Turin streets.

<img alt="Stockwell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d1995f6-7dc6-4128-9230-a782f07036a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-05-01%20at%201.27.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=xPeG9a5ZlNt_lIM7greLwk4EgO4CZkxg" />

The apartments will sit above two levels of retail that will activate the Vulture Street frontage. The first floor tenancies have an outdoor balcony which overlooks Vulture Street and are accessed by their own lift and staircase. The residential tower is set back from the character walls and the new brick façade.

Residents will have private access to the rooftop where there will be a 16m infinity pool, adjoining deck with day beds and a sauna, and a spa. The roof will also home several outdoor dining areas and barbecue spaces, as well as a multi-use function space and a gym. The rooftop of the car park levels will have a dog park and a herb garden.

<img alt="Stockwell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0c73291e-14a7-46dc-9951-9523f17f2249" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-05-01%20at%201.27.40%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=H6sExxvZpPZlFjqo8D7FoJZs1EDGvfJK" />

The Design Statement by Mode said the Vulture Street residential façade is split into two distinct elements with a vertical planted break which also allows natural cross ventilation to the residential corridors.

"Each of the two elements of the façade has a different treatment in terms of color and balustrading to provide identity and reduce visual mass," the statement noted, adding that the&nbsp;architectural language and expression of the retail component is derived from the character factory walls and the brick façade of the West End State School.

<img alt="Vulture St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a3fcb4da-3e73-409d-869b-879be2824878" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-05-01%20at%201.28.06%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=l4lSHGix.IF5dN0TiuT7bXYBI2O1dZlu" />

Stockwell's latest development is in West End. They are currently selling Bankside, 78 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments.

<a href="/developers/stockwell">Stockwell</a>, which was founded in the early 1950s as a construction company, are also behind Cremorne on Fish Lane and Croft on Fish Lane, in the popular new precinct in South&nbsp;Bri​sbane.

First look: Stockwell files for new Vulture Street, West End apartment tower

For years, Michelle and Wade had cruised the Broadwater, often docking at the Main Beach Yacht Club and dreaming of a life closer to what they call their second home.

What started as a holiday habit quickly turned into something more permanent when they discovered <a href="/developers/drew-group">Drew Group</a>’s dual-tower apartment development, <a href="/new-apartments/lagoon-main-beach-11-23-cronin-avenue-main-beach">Lagoon</a>, in <a href="/developments/main-beach-qld-4217">Main Beach</a>.

For Michelle and Wade, long-time Broadbeach locals and passionate boating enthusiasts, the decision to downsize wasn’t made overnight. But when the opportunity arose to call Lagoon home, it felt like everything fell perfectly into place.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=221592]

The couple recently secured a three-bedroom plus multipurpose room residence in the Sunrise Tower of Lagoon,&nbsp;with panoramic views and an enviable connection to the Broadwater lifestyle they adore.

“We live on our boat just as much as we live at home,” Michelle said.

“We were spending holidays at the yacht club just around the corner. It was during one of those stays we first came across Lagoon—started looking at the floorplans and just thought, ‘We can really do this.’”

`The couple live in a five-bedroom, two-level home in Broadbeach Waters, but Michelle was ready for a change. She couldn’t convince Wade when they first looked at Lagoon, but they came back a year later when the project began rising from the ground and they could see extensive progress in construction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=204524]

“Once we saw it in real life, it all just clicked”, Michelle recalled.

For the couple, Main Beach and Lagoon offers everything they need.

“We feel like we’re not losing anything by downsizing, in both the space offered at Lagoon as well as the facilities like a lagoon style swimming pool and a top-tier gym.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=221590]

Their new home at Lagoon offers a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle that supports both relaxation and activity. “When we’re home, I want to be on the boat, and not mowing lawns,” Wade said. “Lagoon gives us that freedom.”

They liked the peace and quiet of Main Beach compared to neighbouring suburbs, but also loved the fact it still has significant waterside amenities on The Spit and an increasingly thriving hospitality and retail precinct on Tedder Avenue and at Marina Mirage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=284864]

One of the main drivers in purchasing off the plan was what friends and locals said about those behind the project.

“Everyone knows Hutchies as a builder,” Michelle said. “Drew Group was a new name to us, but everyone we’ve spoken to in the local community has nothing but praise for Jon Drew. Friends who know people in the industry spoke very highly of him and we value their opinion.”

Hutchinson Builders is approaching topping out of the two towers. Drew Group expects Lagoon residents to move in over the summer.

Michelle and Wade took part in Urban's Buyer Q&amp;A series which focuses on the driving factors behind buying off the plan property in Australia

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108747]

From Broadbeach to Main Beach: Why local downsizers are making the move to Drew Group’s Lagoon Main Beach

The small Gold Coast suburb of <a href="/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a> has been one of Australia’s most in-demand locations for new apartments since 2020. Much of the suburb’s development has taken place— and continues to take place—along the Gold Coast Highway and just off the beachfront, where apartments are now achieving prices that would have seemed unthinkable just five years ago.

When Sydney-based developer <a href="/developers/abadeen-group">Abadeen</a>&nbsp;decided to introduce its luxury brand to the Gold Coast, it took a different approach. The group secured an amalgamated site on Mawarra Street, toward the northern end of Palm Beach and on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway. While not directly on the sand, the site is just 400 metres from the beach, allowing Abadeen to offer a broader mix of apartment configurations and price points—something rarely seen in a market where new apartments often start from $3 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=336441]

<a href="/new-apartments/villea-palm-beach">Villea</a>, Abadeen’s debut Gold Coast project, comprises just 69 two and three-bedroom apartments, priced from $995,000 to $2,715,000. Residents will enjoy the laid-back Palm Beach lifestyle—without the beachfront premium.

Now well advanced in construction and on track for completion before Christmas, Villea is located less than 400 metres from Palm Beach’s northern sands. Its position also places residents just a 10-minute walk from Tallebudgera Creek, the natural waterway dividing Palm Beach from Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=336449]

Affectionately known by locals as Tally Creek, this lifeguard-patrolled inlet is one of the Gold Coast’s most beloved family-friendly beaches. The calm, bay-like waters are ideal for swimming and paddleboarding, and there’s even a section of the sand designated as an off-leash dog area.

Just 600 metres from Villea is Canvas Palm Beach, one of the Gold Coast’s most popular cafés. Doubling as a boutique homewares store, Canvas serves breakfast, lunch, and drinks until 3pm daily.

While Palm Beach’s wider lifestyle offerings are a major drawcard, Abadeen has also prioritised on-site convenience. Villea will feature a ground-floor retail precinct, including a café and several yet-to-be-announced boutique retail tenancies, delivering everyday amenity right at residents’ doorstep.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=336445]

Connectivity will soon be another key advantage. The proposed Nineteenth Avenue light rail stop—part of the $4.4 billion G:Link extension—will be located just 650 metres from Villea’s entrance. Once complete, it will provide direct links south to Coolangatta and north through Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, all the way to Helensvale.

Families are also showing strong interest in the project, thanks in part to Villea’s close proximity to Palm Beach State School, located just 300 metres away, as well as the large floorplans that range in size up to 163 sqm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=336442]

Villea will also feature several resident-only facilities, from a resort-style swimming pool to a fully-equipped gym.

Builder Emicon is soon to top out the eight-level structure which was designed by local architecture firm BDA.

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Abadeen finds untapped Palm Beach pocket for debut Gold Coast apartment development, Villea

A few days after confirming their $70 million purchase of an unrepeatable development site in Miami, <a href="/developers/monaco-property-group">Monaco Property Group</a> has submitted plans for their luxury tower in Miami.

They're sticking with the name Nalu, which is the name of the current holiday block that was developed as Nobby's Outlook in the 1970s. It currently&nbsp;comprises four connected two-level buildings with 46 two and three-bedroom apartments, most recently operated as long-term rentals.&nbsp;

Monaco Property Group, directed by Jonathan Grasso and businessman Jay McPhee, has had <a href="/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada Architects</a>&nbsp;work with&nbsp;<a href="/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>&nbsp;to create 46 apartments across a striking curved tower at 122 Marine Parade.

The two architecture firms shared in their design statement submitted to the Gold Coast City Council that Nalu "embraces the Miami context of lush landscape, open architecture, beachfront living and active lifestyle."

<img alt="Nalu, Miami" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50b74b21-c3ea-42c3-ba65-6f1b7fd3c56e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Nalu%20perspective.png?VersionId=n8P7qlmWIDksyPI5W1nu3dzH8gghR8g5" />

They said the building has&nbsp;been positioned to open out to the ocean, but also blend with the mountain behind.

The mostly four-level building, with a partial fifth level for private rooftop terraces in the more premium apartments, has been designed in a U-shape so the communal spaces face the ocean. Residents will have access to a central resort-style pool, lounge,&nbsp;gym, yoga area, hammam, steam rooms, and hot and cold plunge pools.

<img alt="Nalu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="385f9b8c-758b-4e01-b559-d6ed4a8c3862" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-28%20at%203.37.34%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PPq9s1gOeBH_h4g6mwMWEkIzt1cv6FSP" />

The 46 two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments have been designed to maximise views, ventilation, and solar protections, while also protecting the privacy of the residents.&nbsp;Each apartment features expansive wrap-around balconies that serve as outdoor living areas.

One basement level will provide parking for 139 residential vehicles and eight visitor vehicles, which will access Nalu from porte-cochère entrance on Fraser Avenue.

<img alt="Nalu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dea65c52-f139-43e3-b569-f7ed6c5eadcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-28%20at%203.37.29%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=.PiTs6LGsPeYvXNOcMfx09t3pPJUA.ad" />

On the site acquisition, Grasso said the site was one of the&nbsp;best beachfront development sites on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

“The site is not only one of the largest beachfront development sites on the&nbsp;<a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld" target="">Gold Coast</a>, but its position overlooking&nbsp;<a href="/buildings/the-beachfront-buddina-84-85-pacific-boulevard-buddina-qld-4575" target="">the beachfront</a>&nbsp;and close proximity to the heart of Nobby Beach provides a truly unique opportunity for our team to create an incredible residential development that will be a legacy for years to come.”

On the site acquisition, Grasso said the site was one of the best beachfront development sites on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

First look: Monaco Property Group reveals plans for new luxury Miami apartment development

Following the successful Long Pocket townhouse development in Indooroopilly, developer Shayher Group has filed plans for its next installment of new dwellings in the area, just next door.

The new project at <a href="/new-apartments/34-jacaranda-place-indooroopilly">34 Jacaranda Place</a>, across the road from Jacaranda Place Reserve and adjacent to Handel Street Park, will comprise two low-rise buildings with&nbsp;76 two and three-bedroom apartments. The apartments are split into two different buildings, Parkview and Riverview, due to the orientation of the two structures on the 6,609 sqm site.

<img alt="Shayher" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="02a61e78-5829-442a-842d-5c45a9aadafd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-28%20at%201.22.24%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=Pq.T57g2iDyGL0iZ9LTSYe8OA4evnj2d" />The Parkview apartments. Image credit: JHA

Brisbane architecture firm JHA said in their Architectural Design Report that was submitted to Brisbane City Council last week that the&nbsp;architectural vision for this development is to "create a harmonious blend of elegance and functionality that resonates with the surrounding natural landscape."

"Inspired by the gentle flow of the Brisbane River, the design features soft curves and fluid lines that evoke a sense of movement and connection with nature. This fluidity is intended to reflect the tranquil ambiance of the nearby park and reserve."

<img alt="Jacaranda" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="381e7689-7b10-4837-956f-18acf0de780f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-28%20at%201.22.11%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ECMzpkpW1c4A.tNsFMsldWNrJ53NhrrX" />The Riverview apartments. Image credit: JHA

There was a pre-lodgement meeting held between Shayher and the Brisbane City Council which stated the&nbsp;proposed land use for a medium-density residential development is supported and consistent with the existing approvals in effect over the site.

The Council did suggest that both the buildings, which approach 60-metres in length, are "not sufficiently broken up to reduce the apparent bulk." They suggested several options, to either steep the building levels up towards the Brisbane River, or tweak some of the setbacks.

Future residents of the new project will have access to a rooftop amenity level with an infinity pool atop the Riverview building and an outdoor lounge setting and yoga lawn crowning the Parkview block.

<img alt="Shayher" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="95e80dc0-ef7c-4955-b6d7-7167f822b0d1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-28%20at%201.22.39%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=t2asBpt5jshfMGbvLMGMVpZvXgakaPbM" />

Shayher finished Long Pocket, 45 four-level townhouses next door, in 2024.

They have another multi-stage masterplan, the Bulimba Barracks redevelopment which is starting to gather momentum. Last year they <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-shayher-group-file-for-first-stage-of-bulimba-barracks">filed plans for the first residential stage</a>.

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