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?

Consolidated Properties Group has topped out both towers at its riverfront <a href="/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> apartment development, <a href="/new-apartments/monarch-residences-toowong-600-coronation-drive-toowong">Monarch Residences</a>.

Final construction work is underway on the $460 million development which is 98 per cent sold. Just four of the 224 apartments remain.

Hutchinson Builders started construction on the 1.2-hectare site in 2023, notwithstanding the weather challenges throughout the past two years. As construction moves into the final stages, owners are set to begin moving in before Christmas this year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211466]

In the coming months, the scaffolding will be removed from River 1, which will allow the public and residents a first look at the exterior and form of the building.

With the structural construction of the building complete, Hutchinson Builders are continuing their work on the residence’s internal features and rooftop amenities, including the ultra-premium pool deck, gym, sauna and entertaining areas.

The heritage restoration of Middenbury House is also seeing major progress. The heritage-listed Welsh slate roof has been replaced using the last shipment of traditional Welsh slate ever to arrive in Australia, marking a significant step in the building’s restoration.

Once complete, residents and visitors to Monarch Residences will be among the first people to enter the historical building, as it is the first time it will be open to the public since its original construction in 1865.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211490]

“We’re pleased with how the construction is progressing across both towers,” said Don O’Rorke, CEO and Chairman of <a href="/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a>.

“Both towers are structurally complete, and we’re moving quickly into the final stages. Hutchinson Builders has done an outstanding job, and we’re confident the delivery will exceed our expectations. It’s exciting to see everything come together, and we look forward to welcoming the first residents soon.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=302326]

Chairman of Hutchinson Builders, Scott Hutchinson said the building is something special, not just in Brisbane, but in Australia.

"It’s a beautiful building, sitting right on the river in Brisbane,"&nbsp;Hutchinson said.

“As builders, we have worked hard to ensure the materials we use are not only of the highest quality, but also visually appealing and structurally sound. The residences themselves are beautiful homes and it’s been a privilege bringing the vision of Monarch Residences to life."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113455]

“We’re pleased with how the construction is progressing across both towers,” said Don O’Rorke, CEO and Chairman of Consolidated Properties Group.

Cons Prop & Hutchies top out Monarch Residences in Toowong

<a href="/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> is one of the most active developers in Brisbane right now. The family-run builder-developer is busy welcoming buyers to two of its recently completed inner-city developments in Chermside and Stones Corner.

<a href="/new-apartments/estilo-on-the-park-chermside-81-kittyhawk-drive-chermside">Estilo on the Park</a>, located on one of the last parkside sites in <a href="/developments/chermside-qld-4032">Chermside</a> overlooking the expansive 73-hectare Seventh Brigade Park, has just a handful of three-bedroom apartments remaining in its final stage, Esencia, following sellouts of the first two stages, Lujosa and Belleza, several years ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100682 project_image_fid=186903]

GVG is putting the finishing touches to their <a href="/developments/stones-corner-qld-4120">Stones Corner</a> development, <a href="/new-apartments/stonebrook-stones-corner-10-flora-street-stones-corner">Stonebrook</a>. Just one apartment remains for sale in the Flora Street project near Hanlon Park. The nine-level building, topped by a communal rooftop terrace with park views, is UDIA-certified as an EnviroDevelopment for its sustainability features, including EV charging and community herb gardens.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114094 project_image_fid=246997]

Not one to rest on its laurels, Gardner Vaughan is gearing up for another busy year with four projects in market in 2025. They have just launched <a href="/new-apartments/danby-lane-nundah-village-5-danby-lane-nundah">Danby Lane</a> in <a href="/developments/nundah-qld-4012">Nundah</a>, 84 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above four retail spaces on the street level.

The project will also feature a rooftop deck with barbecue facilities, herb and veggie garden, and outdoor dining, as well as a first-floor resident pool, gym, and commercial spaces. Gardner Vaughan’s building arm has already started construction on site and is expecting an early 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320117]

While inner-city Brisbane has been Gardner Vaughan’s main focus for the last two-and-a-half decades since being founded by Guy Gardner and Darryl Vaughan in 1989, they’ve expanded their footprint across wider Brisbane and South East Queensland in recent years.

Last year they completed their second Sunshine Coast project, Zinc Bokarina, and now they’re delivering <a href="/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina">Bask Bokarina</a>, 135 apartments next door to Zinc. Bask will feature nine retail spaces on Bokarina Blvd. The two towers are currently under construction and will complete in mid-to-late 2026, and will feature a podium-level pool, gym, and herb garden.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]

The first tower is 85 per cent sold and tower two will launch to the market in the middle of this year. Bask recently set a suburb record for one of its four penthouses. The four-bedroom apartment sold to a local downsizer for $5,499,000, the biggest apartment sale in Bokarina by some margin.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333361]

GVG will expand further into the Sunshine Coast later this year with Eden Caloundra, another two-tower development with 179 apartments.

There’s even further expansion in 2025 for GVG with the recent launch of ONE Redcliffe, the group’s first foray into the Moreton Bay region.

<a href="/new-apartments/one-redcliffe">ONE Redcliffe</a>, another two-tower project, will have 214 two, three and four-bedroom apartments on the Redcliffe Peninsula with unobstructed views overlooking Moreton Bay and Settlement Cove Lagoon. Apartments start from $1,061,500.

Gardner Vaughan Group set for big 2025 as new apartment pipeline expands across South East Queensland 

Over 12 months after securing a prime Toowong site on Sylvan Road, local developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/pradella-property">Pradella</a>&nbsp;has revealed what it envisages for the site.

They've submitted plans to the Brisbane City Council for <a href="/new-apartments/70-sylvan-road-toowong">Sylvan Residences</a>, 53 two and three-bedroom apartments across a 12-level building opposite <a href="/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> Memorial Park.

<a href="/architects/hal-architects">HAL Architects</a> have been tasked with the design of the building. They say it "evokes opulence,&nbsp;underpinned by the classic subtropical Queenslander vernacular," drawing inspiration from Toowong’s rowing history with a curved and sculpted form.

<img alt="Sylvan Residences" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fdf4def8-8df3-4942-bd77-937b42fb6919" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Sylvan%20Residences%20podium.png?VersionId=vx3uU1wkWOP5CXqNET960_C.JHWqoh6d" />

31 two-bed and 22 three-bed apartments have been pitched, above basement levels with 83 parking spaces.

A significant rooftop terrace will serve as a "lush oasis nestled in the urban convenience of Toowong," according to HAL.&nbsp;

Planned amenities include an infinity lap pool, fitness centre, steam room, sauna, community garden, private dining and lounge spaces, and barbecue facilities.&nbsp;

The landscaping and terracing are designed to complement Brisbane’s active, outdoor lifestyle, with views of the city and Mt Coot-tha.

<img alt="Sylvan Residences amenities" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a5239aad-df11-4721-8153-65992dfe0862" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Sylvan%20Residences%20amenities.png?VersionId=fkDuy6QaCqw9Lg_XW3I03JAH4EJZoBuB" />

&nbsp;

The town planning report by Plan A said "the proposal is consistent with surrounding development in the Toowong area and will provide a positive contribution to the streetscape."

Pradella <a href="/news/qld/pradella-secure-their-next-brisbane-apartment-development">bought the 1,083 sqm corner site</a> at 70 Sylvan Road for $6.1 million in late 2023.&nbsp;

CBRE’s Adelaide O’Brien and Will Carman, who facilitated the sale, noted strong developer interest in the suburb. O’Brien highlighted <a href="/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a>’s appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors, adding that the site also provides Pradella with secure rental income while planning its development strategy.

Pradella is most known for its development in West End where they're behind the $1.5 billion Montague Markets mixed-use precinct.

First look exclusive: Pradella plot Sylvan Road, Toowong apartment development

The Brisbane River has well and truly come alive. In the last decade there have been billions in new developments, both apartments and mixed-use precincts that have changed the face of the waterfront in the Queensland capital. The completion of the redevelopment of Howard Smith Wharves in 2019 was a key milestone. The 3.4 hectares of prime riverfront underneath the Story Bridge is now a vibrant hospitality hub with several restaurants, bars, hotels, and event spaces.

The riverfront had to wait another five years before the completion of Far East Consortium’s $3.6 billion mega-precinct, Queens Wharf. The huge 12-hectare precinct, a new landmark for Brisbane, is home to four new luxury hotels, over 50 new restaurants, bars and entertainment experiences, luxury retail, and a state-of-the-art event centre, home to Brisbane’s largest hotel ballroom. Between the resort’s four towers, 37 metres above street level, is a 12,000 sqm, open-air Leisure Deck will deliver a mixed-use space for hotel guests and the public. The Leisure Deck features an Event Deck, expansive lawn area for sunset picnics and exclusive resort amenities overlooking the city skyline.

While there’s now limited land on the northern side of the Story Bridge and on the fringe of the CBD, there is still significant opportunity down the river for more waterside development. Economic Development Queensland is undertaking the largest urban renewal project in the state, and arguably the country. They are creating Northshore, a new mixed-use community on 304 hectares of previously industrial port land at inner-city Hamilton. The 40-year development, which started 10 years ago, is estimated to cost $12 billion.

There will be around 14,000 new homes built over the next three decades that will home roughly 24,500 residents. Over 25,000 employees will call Northshore their place of work, with an innovation and technology precinct covering over eight hectares of the precinct. That will comprise commercial, retail, and clean industrial businesses. In December, Northshore’s central precinct achieved a 6 Star Green Star – Communities certified rating. Northshore will also play host to Brisbane Athletes’ Village for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

While there have been major commercial developments that have driven huge economic boosts to Brisbane, the riverfront boom hasn’t been lost on some of states best new apartment developers. Don O’Rorke’s Consolidated Properties was quick to act back in 2021 when they snapped up the 1.5-hectare former ABC site on Coronation Drive in Toowong. The prime site, with 130m of waterfrontage, is also home to the heritage-listed Middenbury House, which is being restored as part of the new development, <a href="/new-apartments/monarch-residences-toowong-600-coronation-drive-toowong">Monarch Residences</a>. Monarch has been one of the best-selling developments across Brisbane in recent years, with nearly all of the apartments spoken for well before its late 2025 completion through Hutchinson Builders.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211466]

Just a handful of penthouses remain in the two-tower project with nine of the 11 residences in the Penthouse Collection, which includes several riverside homes, snapped up in recent months. Predominantly local downsizers seized the opportunity, with an average sale price of $5.85 million. Colliers Director of Residential for Queensland, Andrew Scriven says the demand for Monarch’s top floors and unique River Homes has been incredibly strong, and the remaining penthouses will sell quickly.

"Since coming onto the market, the demand for these once-in-a-lifetime ultra-premium penthouse homes has been incredible," Scriven said.

"We’re continuing to see enquiry from local buyers as well as from out-of-state buyers. The level of interest in these homes speaks to the calibre and design of the Penthouse Collection."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=302322]

Consolidated Properties Group CEO and chairman Don O’Rorke says the development team’s vision was to deliver a super-premium residential project worthy of its unique north-facing location on the Brisbane River.

“The Monarch Residences penthouses offer unparalleled views, elegant design, and the kind of luxury living rarely seen in Brisbane,” O’Rorke said.

“Every apartment in the buildings is beautiful and in a class of its own – but with the penthouses, we’ve created a very small, exclusive set of residences that elevate themselves into a new class.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=302440]

With Monarch nearly sold out, Brisbanites are now turning their attention to other opportunities to live by the river. The latest launch is in Teneriffe, where Kokoda Property Group—the developer behind The Ambrose and Ruby Ruby in Milton, as well as a major precinct project in Melbourne—has unveiled Teneriffe Banks (right and below). This development will be located on one of the last riverfront sites in the suburb, on Skyring Terrace.

Teneriffe Banks will feature five distinct, slender buildings housing over 200 residences, lofts, and penthouses, designed by Studio McCue, Cottee Parker Architects, and Carr. One of the buildings will house the first Kimpton Hotels &amp; Restaurants in Brisbane. The development will also offer an expansive commercial precinct, including more than 4,800 sqm of waterfront dining and retail space, as well as a redeveloped, purpose-built community centre.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139896 project_image_fid=295098]

Before the official launch of Teneriffe Banks, there were $285 million worth of sales. Over half of the residences have already been sold in The Interloom and The Skyform buildings. The Interloom building connects the urban landscape with the waterfront, featuring up to 404 sqm luxury residences with soaring 3.8-metre ceilings and panoramic views. Perched above the soon-to-be-released Store House Lofts, The Skyform features more spacious apartments that offer up to 334 sqm of luxury living with four-metre ceilings and panoramic views of the Brisbane River and city skyline.

Residents of Teneriffe Banks will enjoy resort-style amenities, with each building including private dining rooms, personal wellness spaces, mineral baths, infinity pools, and exclusive access to the Canopy Club, one of the largest private members’ clubs in Queensland. The Ferry Building, a smaller-scale building, and The Skyform, merges Teneriffe’s historic woolstores with contemporary apartment design. Each Ferry Building home incorporates a large, private courtyard as an extension of the living space, with higher floors offering large terraces to entertain from.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139896 project_image_fid=295102]

Supply on the river looks like it will continue over the coming years. The next project to launch will come from national developer Traders in Purple. Late last year they secured the prized 1.25-hectare West End site from Crown Group and have <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-traders-in-purple-plan-large-apartments-on-west-end-megasite">plans in with the Brisbane City Council</a> for around 130 apartments and 32 river and terraces homes designed by Rothelowman.

<img alt="Traders" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="31ace497-87de-4039-a9a2-2f8a5e103e6c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-03-27%20at%209.15.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=tkYmoUNWZAVgREsNu6_gSHwbIXSNRwNo" />

Traders in Purple Director George Geagea said the size and location of the West End site presented a rare opportunity to create a remarkable lifestyle-focused destination just 4km from the Brisbane CBD. “We have long wanted to make our mark in Brisbane’s inner-city but we were prepared to wait until the right site came along.”

Another national developer, ICD Property, who is creating mixed-use towers in Adelaide and Sydney after a string of successful buildings in Melbourne, snared the well-known R&amp;F site on the West End riverfront. While they are yet to revise the plans, approval is there for seven towers with over 1000 apartments on the 1.68-hectare block. <a href="/news/qld/exclusive-icd-property-secures-riverfront-west-end-site-for-brisbanes-latest-multi-tower-precinct">ICD paid just under million</a> for the prime riverfront site that cost R&amp;F $82.5 million in 2015.

<img alt="ICD Property" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4fc67d00-ac03-4d73-9b61-23cc39e4c20d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-03-27%20at%208.44.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ZW6VAMPpJSxSK2TrKj_qkfG_35_KdTg8" />

Plans have also been submitted <a href="/news/qld/multi-tower-precinct-planned-for-south-brisbane-riverfront">on the site next door</a> by concrete supplier Heidelberg Materials. Heidelberg, formerly Hanson, is also seeking to develop a new riverside community, which just falls into the suburb of South Brisbane rather than West End. Heidelberg had global design firm fjcstudio draw up plans for a 1.3-hectare precinct that will comprise three 50-level residential buildings with 620 apartments, a food and beverage plaza, and a 5,400 sqm public park (right).

Brisbane is poised for continued growth, following its strongest market performance in nearly four decades in 2024. According to CoreLogic data, unit values in the city surged by more than 16 per cent last year, marking the highest annual return since 1988. With a robust pipeline of projects in the works, Brisbane is set to maintain its upward trajectory, positioning itself as a serious contender to Sydney’s dominance. Last year Brisbane surpassed Melbourne to become the second most expensive property market in the country.

Brisbane is poised for continued growth, following its strongest market performance in nearly four decades in 2024.

Brisbane's riverfront renaissance, and the developers leading the charge

Builder-developer giant McNab is pushing on in both sales and construction at its new Gold Coast apartment development, Elements Budds Beach.

Over 60 per cent of the Azure Collection, the more premium two-bed plus MPR and three-bedroom apartments within the Oak Avenue building, have been snapped up by a mix of investors and owner occupiers.&nbsp;

The sales success comes off the back of McNab starting construction on site, demolishing the old three-level walk-up and old timber home on the amalgamated 1,013 sqm Oak Avenue and starting to excavate the four basement parking levels.

The building, of just 87 two, three and four-bedroom apartments that start from just over $1 million, has been crafted by<a href="/architects/cottee-parker-architects"> Cottee Parker</a> who says the design "pays homage to the sea and sky and responds to its unique midwater location with distinct simplicity and openness, bringing the waterways to its inhabitants."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111522 project_image_fid=322242]

Set behind a curved, glazed façade, Elements apartments will feature open plan kitchen, living and dining areas that will extend to balconies with views across the Gold Coast skyline, hinterland, and beach.

As the building ascends, the apartments get more premium, and give way from the two-bed and two-bed plus multi-purpose rooms to half-floor three-bedroom apartments, as well as the soon-to-be-released Horizon Collection.

As demand for spacious, high-end apartments continues, McNab is preparing to launch the Horizon Collection, just a handful of four-bedroom apartments each with a multi-purpose room, panoramic views, a master retreat with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, and a built-in bar area with a custom stone finish.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111522 project_image_fid=322246]

The original plans back in 2021 had the communal facilities located within the building, but, in a trend seen across the majority of Gold Coast projects in the last few years, McNab more recently had Cottee Parker relocate them to the roof.

Now a full rooftop retreat, it will feature an infinity-edge pool with beach club-style loungers that actually sit in the water, several day beds surrounding the pool, and a sauna, hot plunge pool, and a yoga deck.

There will also be a poolside barbecue and teppanyaki area, as well as a private formal dining room and a gym.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111522 project_image_fid=322250]

Elements will sit in a quiet pocket of Surfers, only a six-minute walk to Budds Beach and eight minutes to Surfers Paradise Beach.

It could be argued that viewlines, especially from the upper levels, are unlikely to ever be obstructed. This is due to the scale of the Paradise Resort Gold Coast hotel across the street, which is unlikely to be redeveloped anytime soon.

McNab is forecasting a completion date of around Q3 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111522 project_image_fid=322251]

<a href="/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> as a builder has a diverse workbook across the whole of South East Queensland, from warehouse and office buildings to social housing projects.

As a developer, McNab recently completed White in Main Beach, selling all of the apartments prior to completion. The project won the 2024 Master Builders QLD Housing &amp; Construction Award, as well as Queensland’s Best Project in the $50m+ multi-residential category.

McNab also has several development sites in Brisbane, in West End and Highgate Hill, as well as<a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-mcnab-shoots-for-full-floor-apartments-in-broadbeach"> plans for a future Broadbeach project</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=111522]

Sales success drives momentum at McNab’s Elements Budds Beach

Summary:

<ul>
	<li>New Brisbane Stadium, new National Aquatic Centre, major expansion of Queensland&nbsp;Tennis&nbsp;Centre and a dedicated Para-sport facility just some of the legacy infrastructure for Brisbane.</li>
	<li>The Gabba to be used for cricket in 2032, before being transformed as a vibrant new entertainment and housing precinct, as a lasting legacy of the Games.</li>
	<li>Brisbane Arena Priority Area to be moved to the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba, and delivered by the private sector.</li>
	<li>2032 Delivery Plan sets the plan, now attention turns to delivering it.</li>
</ul>

<hr />
The heart of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be delivered at Victoria Park, with a new world-class Brisbane Stadium to be built as part of a thriving central Games precinct spanning Spring Hill, Bowen Hills and Victoria Park.

The new 63,000 -seat stadium was announced by the Queensland Government as part of the&nbsp;2032 Delivery Plan. The venue will also be where future Brisbane Lions, the Brisbane Heat and the Queensland Bulls teams call home.

Delivering 2032 and Beyond&nbsp;is the outcome of a 100 Day Review, stakeholder consultation and community input, and sets the plan for the Games, which Queensland will now get on with delivering.

Under the Plan, a new National Aquatic&nbsp;Centre will be delivered at the site of the Centenary Pool in Spring Hill, catering to swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming.

A major upgrade of the Queensland Tennis&nbsp;Centre will include a new 3000-seat show court arena and 12 new match courts which, in addition to Pat Rafter Arena, will open the doors to even more tournaments for Brisbane.

The Main Arena at the RNA Showgrounds will be upgraded with a 20,000 seat outdoor arena, to give the Queensland&nbsp;Ekka an even brighter future. &nbsp;

The main Athlete Village will also be built at the Bowen Hills precinct, within walking distance of the Brisbane Stadium.

While a Brisbane Arena is no longer required for the Games, the Queensland Government has taken steps today to allow Brisbane Live to be delivered by the private sector, providing the opportunity for the Federal Government’s contribution to be directed toward other essential Games infrastructure.

The Government will move the Brisbane Arena priority site to the vacant&nbsp;GoPrint site in Woolloongabba, paving the way for a permanent legacy in addition to a new housing and entertainment precinct over the Gabba when it is taken down.

This move will secure the future of the East Brisbane State School, ensuring it is not relocated. &nbsp;

Greater Brisbane will benefit from new and upgraded Games infrastructure, including:

<ul>
	<li>New&nbsp;Brisbane Stadium&nbsp;to be delivered at Victoria Park.</li>
	<li>New&nbsp;National Aquatic Centre&nbsp;to be delivered at the site of Centenary Pool in Spring Hill.</li>
	<li>Expanded&nbsp;Queensland Tennis Centre&nbsp;to include a new permanent 3000-seat showcourt and 12 new match courts.</li>
	<li>Transformed&nbsp;RNA Showgrounds&nbsp;with an upgraded Main Arena and Athlete Village, which will be converted to permanent housing after the Games.</li>
	<li>Upgraded&nbsp;Chandler Sport Precinct&nbsp;to include a dedicated Para-sport Facility.</li>
	<li>New&nbsp;Redland Whitewater Centre&nbsp;will be delivered within the future Birkdale Community Precinct.</li>
	<li>Brisbane International Shooting Centre&nbsp;upgraded to increase capacity of the indoor range.</li>
	<li>Logan and Moreton Indoor Sports Centres&nbsp;built to address the growing demand for indoor courts in some of the fastest growing areas of Queensland.</li>
</ul>

Premier David&nbsp;Crisafulli said the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games would be an event Queenslanders could be proud of.

“Brisbane will be&nbsp;centre stage for the greatest show on earth and the benefits will last for decades after the Closing Ceremony,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“With major new venues and upgraded sports facilities, greater Brisbane will have high-performance venues attracting world events beyond 2032.

“A new stadium will allow Queensland to attract sporting and music events and be the new home for&nbsp;AFL and Cricket.

“Delivering 2032 and Beyond&nbsp;is a&nbsp;gamechanger for our State and with this plan we will deliver a Games all Queenslanders can be proud of.”

The new 63,000-seat stadium was announced by the Queensland Government as part of the 2032 Delivery Plan. The venue will also be where future Brisbane Lions, the Brisbane Heat and the Queensland Bulls teams call home.



Let the Games begin: QLD Government reveals 2032 Brisbane Summer Olympic Games plans

As their luxury Drift Residences in <a href="/developments/main-beach-qld-4217">Main Beach</a> nears completion, Dean Gallagher's GDI Group is already setting its sights on its next project.

They're not straying too far, in fact just 600m from Drift, where they're planning an even more high-end project with just 10 apartments across a 23-level building at <a href="/new-apartments/15-cunningham-avenue-main-beach">15 Cunningham Avenue, Main Beac</a>h.

<img alt="15 Cunningham Avenue, Main Beach" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="28525646-4f40-40aa-a124-99168315aa4a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Cunningham%20side.png?VersionId=xcBbOdYS6GlinZewwn1YCrzDQWeY0sDk" />

The lower level will include three-bedroom apartments, along with a multi-purpose room. The upper level will offer an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area, a butler's pantry, and a media room. Each apartment will have a north-facing balcony, with the building oriented to the north.

Level one will house a wellness center, complete with a gym, sauna, and ice bath. Above, there will be a pool and recreation deck, also facing north. A four-level basement will provide 29 resident parking spaces.

The new tower will replace an old three-level brick walk-up.

In their design statement, <a href="/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau Proberts</a> highlighted that 15 Cunningham Avenue acknowledges a suburb in transition.

"A place where Queensland coastal living has thrived for a century, Main Beach has been at the forefront of Gold Coast growth, evolving from humble holiday homes to high-rise apartments. Today, Main Beach continues to embrace contemporary influences, with carefully planned multi-residential developments seeking infill sites to increase density while preserving the area’s local character and charm."

Bureau Proberts further noted that 15 Cunningham Avenue aims to introduce something fresh to Main Beach’s well-established coastal density.

"The building’s glass envelope reflects Queensland’s vernacular, offering transparency where maximum exposure is needed, and shelter where refuge is desired. In doing so, it embodies the ‘evolving’ Gold Coast—acknowledging its place and neighborhood context, while still establishing a distinctive presence within the skyline of this iconic location." 
 
<img alt="15 Cunningham Avenue, Main Beach" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="007ddcdf-aee8-48e9-940a-15ac8934d037" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Cunningham%20podium.png?VersionId=5qFIObDG6yKh5bQswFA7Q_eRnw8cPdaL" />

The tower will sit next door to&nbsp;<a href="/buildings/the-monaco-main-beach-2-4-macarthur-parade-main-beach">The Monaco</a>, which sold out during the pandemic with an average sale price of $4.6 million. There have been resales in the building since its 2024 completion north of $8 million.

GDI will no doubt be looking to handle the build themselves, having brought construction inhouse for <a href="/new-apartments/drift-residences-16-18-hughes-avenue-main-beach">Drift Residences</a>&nbsp;after the collapse of GCB Constructions.

At the time Gallagher said GDI had assembled a top-tier line-up with a proven track record in the industry to deliver the rest of the building.

"It's a formidable team," Gallagher says.

Drift Residences, nearing completion, will comprise 46 apartments across 31 levels at 16-18 Hughes Avenue, Main Beach. GDI just set a record at Drift, selling a full-floor apartment for $11,995,000, a record for a non-penthouse sale in Main Beach.

GDI will no doubt be looking to handle the build themselves, having brought construction inhouse for Drift Residences after the collapse of GCB Constructions.

First look: GDI Group plot two-level apartments in Main Beach

Summary:

<ul>
	<li>Corner House by DeMartini Fletcher brings 88&nbsp;apartments to Brisbane’s evolving Stones Corner</li>
	<li>Designed with Ellivo Architects, the development incorporates an existing brick building and communal spaces</li>
	<li>A rooftop retreat with a pool, spa, sauna, ice bath, yoga lawn, gym and skyline views&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Well-connected location near Woolloongabba, Brisbane CBD, Hanlon Park, and major transport links</li>
</ul>

<hr />
New apartment launches in Brisbane have been few and far between in recent years. It is always noteworthy when a new project hits the market to meet the overwhelming demand for apartments in the Queensland capital.

Local developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/demartini-fletcher-property">DeMartini Fletcher</a>&nbsp;has just launched&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/corner-house-stones-corner-18-stoneham-street-stones-corner">Corner House</a>, 88 one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Stones Corner, one of Brisbane’s increasingly evolving inner-city precincts.&nbsp;

DeMartini Fletcher has collaborated with <a href="/architects/ellivo-architects">Ellivo Architects</a> on the design which aims to honour the heritage of the localicty while bringing in a contemporary twist.

Situated at the intersection of Montague and Stoneham Streets, Corner House&nbsp;incorporates the existing brick corner building into its design, activating the street level with communal spaces for residents and the wider community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330587]

The apartment mix includes one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as options with a multi-purpose room.

Each home is designed for spacious living, with open-plan interiors, entertainer’s kitchens, and ample storage.&nbsp;

Living spaces and bedrooms have been positioned to maximise natural light and ventilation, with wraparound balconies extending outdoor space while incorporating green screening for privacy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330588]

Residents will have access to a rooftop retreat designed as a lifestyle-focused extension of their homes. The roof will feature a&nbsp;resort-style pool, spa, sauna, ice bath, gym, yoga lawn, residents’ herb garden, and barbecue facilities, all with sweeping views of Brisbane’s skyline.

Corner House will integrate sustainability principles, with a focus on climate-responsive design and urban greenery.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330603]

Until 2017, <a href="/developments/stones-corner-qld-4120" target="">Stones Corner</a> was designated as a 'precinct' within the suburb of Greenslopes. Now Stones Corner is one of Brisbane's most rapidly transforming areas.&nbsp;

Since the announcement of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, developers have eagerly seized the opportunity to be part of the area's transformation. In addition to several new apartment developments, Stones Corner Village is set for a complete revitalisation, bringing a vibrant new retail and dining precinct just off Hanlon Park.

Hanlon Park itself has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, earning the title of Best Park in Australia at the 2023 National Landscape Architecture Awards. The park features walking trails, beautifully landscaped gardens, and children's playgrounds.

Stones Corner also boasts excellent connections to Brisbane's central areas, with all major modes of public transport—including trains, buses, and the metro—providing easy access to the city.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149098]

DeMartini Fletcher launches Corner House apartments in Stones Corner

The ever-growing&nbsp;<a href="/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, one of the most in demand suburbs on the Gold Coast for new developments, is set for some more, much needed, apartment supply.

Glen Williams and Nick Parrs'&nbsp;<a href="/developers/bpg-developments">BPG Developments</a> is planning a 14-level tower on a <a href="/new-apartments/1055-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach">double-block on the Gold Coast Highway</a>,&nbsp;but will create the entry from Jefferson Lane, facing the beach.

It's a return to Palm Beach for the builder-developer who completed&nbsp;Sable on Palm Beach in 2019, just 200m away.

"We only want to develop in places we would like to live," Williams told Urban.

"I've been a part of the Currumbin Surf Club for the last two decades. We love the southern end of the Gold Coast and are looking forward to bringing more apartments to the area."

<img alt="BPG Developments Palm Beach da" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="205aa0c8-daca-4799-b9de-48e5fd215ca3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/gold%20coast%20pers_0.png?VersionId=d6OkmBP9X6Mmd7R8MyDDJxYCFFMKfkmg" />

Plus Architecture says the design of the new tower draws inspiration from Queensland's coastal vernacular, utilising materials such as glazing, concrete panels with rebated shadow lines, textured render, and aluminium fins.&nbsp;

71 two and three-bedroom residences have been proposed, a mix of 42 two-bedroom apartments and 29 three-bedroom dwellings, three of which are two-level townhouses.

The 109 car spaces are spread across two basement levels and ground-level parking.

<img alt="BPG Developments Palm Beach da" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f7881e01-bf60-48f3-b94b-16a3c5233692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/gold%20coast%20da%20view.png?VersionId=ExUP0NNaJTm8ydJcEr7R.4rHRfZ3vyHT" />

The resident amenity will front Jefferson Lane on the ground level and will comprise a pool, pool deck, separate barbecue and alfresco area, and a wellness space with a gym, yoga deck, hot and cold plunge, and a sauna and steam room.

The project is located next door to 2021-completed Village Palm Beach and Gordon Corp's soon-to-be-launched Jefferson Lane project. That will offer 47 two and three-bedroom apartments across a nine-level building. It's also near Sherpa's Flourish on Sixth Avenue project which recently started construction with LPS Group.

BPG completed The Chaussy in Lutwyche in 2022 and recently welcomed buyers to their Scarborough development, The Oscar, where there are just a handful of apartments left for sale.&nbsp;

First look: BPG Developments returns to Palm Beach new apartment market

The <a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a> has long been one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations. It had sun, sand, surf, and Surfers Paradise, the epicentre of the action. It was lined with skyscrapers that rivalled anywhere in the southern hemisphere for height. Even today, there’s nowhere in Australia, and arguably the world, with towers of that scale so close to the sand.

Apartments were made for investors and holidaymakers who would snap them up every weekend all year round. It was an arrangement that suited everyone. But with that arrangement came a moniker. The Gold Coast became a ‘boom-bust market’. For the growth the market would see, there were equal busts.

Caitlin Rosenboom, Head of Projects for Ray White on the Gold Coast, says the Gold Coast property markets were heavily influenced by external factors it essentially couldn’t control.

“Because the Gold Coast was traditionally always a holiday destination, the type of apartment built was for that,” Rosenboom says. “But when the economy wobbled, like it has at certain points over the last few decades—such as during the GFC—the Gold Coast market was impacted more than anywhere else. The first thing to go in an economic downturn is the secondary residence, and proportionally, the Gold Coast was well skewed toward those properties.”

Rosenboom said it then became a fight to the bottom. “Once one person, whose hand was forced to sell, sold, then it reset prices in a negative way. Then there would be floods of listings and little demand, which put incredible downward pressure on pricing.”

Indeed, during the GFC, data from Ray White showed house prices across the Gold Coast region declined by around nine per cent across 2010 and 2011 combined, just a little more than the eight per cent for units. But looking more granularly, the picture was a bit different.

Since then, however, the Gold Coast has truly rid itself of its so-called boom-bust reputation. 
From the start of 2012 to the end of 2020, house values rose by over 56 per cent, showing growth in every calendar year apart from 2018, when prices contracted by just one per cent. It was the same story for units over the same period, albeit with slightly more modest 30 per cent growth, and also with a minor one per cent dip in 2012, which houses didn’t experience.

“The Gold Coast has really matured as a region over the last decade,” Rosenboom said on the property market growth.

“It became more and more attractive as a place not only to holiday but to live. Better, larger apartments were being built, alongside an increased level of infrastructure upgrades and investment.”

The Gold Coast was certainly a region on the up and up. However, uncertainty reigned once again in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country, locking both international and state borders.

The fear of another economic downturn, much like the GFC, could have put the Gold Coast in a problematic position, with a lack of tourism driving the economy. In the end, it was the opposite.

The way the Queensland Government handled the pandemic was broadcast around the country. Gold Coast locals were still on the waves, enjoying coffee on the beach, and living life, while Melburnians weren’t allowed out of their houses, and Sydneysiders weren’t much better off. 
The race was on for those southern capital city dwellers to rush to the Gold Coast.

“The pandemic changed everything,” Rosenboom said. “A lot of people who lived in Sydney and Melbourne made the move for what they considered almost to be a secondment to another part of Australia. The vast majority hadn’t been to the Gold Coast before, or not since they were kids coming on holiday. When they realised how far the Gold Coast had come, no longer just a big holiday resort, most never left.”

Over the 12 months from June 2022 to June 2023, the Gold Coast gained nearly 20,000 people, accounting for 13 per cent of the migration to the whole of Queensland. The property market became one of the best-performing in the country as the demand v supply equation was heavily skewed toward the demand side. New apartment developments that came to market over 2021 and 2022 would spend less than a few weeks online before being sold out. Prices were both unrealistic and realistic at the same time.

Then came another potential bump in the road. The borders reopened, and employees had to show their face in the office, albeit just a few days a week. Would this be the start of the decline the Gold Coast property market hadn’t felt in a decade? In short, no. No, it wasn’t.

Much to the surprise of most in the property industry, growth continued. Another stellar growth cycle in 2023 and 2024 saw house prices rise by 57 per cent in the four years to December 2024, the same growth they saw in double the time up to 2024. Units boomed by 57 per cent too over the four years to the end of 2024, almost double the 30 per cent in the eight years prior.

“The Gold Coast is no longer a holiday destination but a lifestyle destination,” Rosenboom said. 
“The pandemic shone a light on everything locals already loved about the Gold Coast. We have gone from being dominated by holiday lets to an owner-occupier-driven market due to the increased infrastructure, medical facilities, industry, and employment opportunities.”

Rosenboom has seen a mix of buyers at ARC Residences, the luxury tower on Garfield Terrace, considered the best street in Surfers Paradise, given it’s the only one that faces the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111652 project_image_fid=257250]

A few Sydneysiders, locals from the northern Gold Coast suburbs like Hope Island and Helensvale, as well as a couple of overseas buyers, have all staked their claim in the building of just 37 half- and full-floor apartments with an oceanfront pool, gym with yoga room and infrared sauna, and a cinema, along with a suite of other amenities that are more common in a luxury hotel.

Rosenboom believes there’s no reason why the Gold Coast market should take a step back at all. “We’re now in an interest rate environment where they are only going down and not up, which tends to fuel further increases in price.”

All of the pent-up demand is even without taking into account the 2032 Brisbane Summer Olympics, and the G:LINK light rail extends all the way down to the airport and Coolangatta, essentially connecting the whole of the Gold Coast. If the response to the light rail is anything like Sydney’s, then values are in for one hell of a ride.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111652 project_image_fid=257251]

Ray White Senior Economist Nerida Conisbee echoed Rosenboom’s sentiment, suggesting the economic stability the Gold Coast now has, with the shortness in supply, scarcity of land, and in particular, the rapid expansion of its population. 
 
“The influx of nearly 20,000 new residents in a single year is a testament to the Gold Coast's appeal, offering a combination of lifestyle, employment opportunities, and relative affordability compared to other major Australian cities,” Conisbee says, adding, however, that this huge increase in population is putting pressure on the housing market.

“Despite the positive outlook, the Gold Coast faces significant challenges in accommodating its projected growth. The shortage of land means that the city will need to embrace higher-density development to house its expanding population.”

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