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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

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

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

Staff Writer

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

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

alisonwarters@gmail.com

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

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

Ellen Walker

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

New apartment developments with uninterrupted, north-facing views over Perth's Swan River are exceptionally rare.

Recognising just how limited those opportunities are, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth's most respected builder-developers, targeted <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/applecross-wa-6153">Applecross</a>, assembling an unrepeatable 6,342 sqm riverfront site on the corner of Moreau Mews and Canning Beach Road to create one of Perth's only new north-facing apartment developments directly overlooking the Swan River.

Today, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/riviere-residences-applecross-59-canning-beach-road-applecross-wa-6153">Rivière Residences</a> offers buyers a unique opportunity to choose between completed residences ready to move into now and off-the-plan homes in the final stage, Rivière West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3823]

Across the completed East and Central buildings, residents are already enjoying the development's luxury amenity, while two of the precinct's hospitality venues are now open.

The completed component of the development gives buyers the advantage of experiencing the finished product firsthand, including its uninterrupted river views, while still having the opportunity to secure a residence in the final stage.

"People are wowed by the view and the quality of the apartments,"&nbsp;Edge Visionary Living Sales Executive, Holly McSweeney, says.

"They're looking for the convenience of lock-and-leave living, but they're not looking to downsize on quality."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3826]

The rarity of the development hasn't been lost on prospective buyers, McSweeney says.

For McSweeney, it all comes back to a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate.

"Location, location, location," she says. "We are nestled right on the front of the Swan River. You can never get built out, so wherever you are in Rivière Residences, you've got views of the river forever."

The unique waterfront position has resonated particularly strongly with local downsizers. McSweeney says many buyers are long-time Applecross residents looking to transition from large family homes into a luxury apartment without sacrificing space, quality or the lifestyle they've enjoyed for decades.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_FowNW0wu8?si=vb25XFq1wZ-iufAW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A major focus for Edge in recent years has been resident amenity. Across its apartment portfolio, from beachfront developments in Scarborough to luxury towers in South Perth, the developer has increasingly invested in the spaces beyond the apartment itself.

The strategy has largely been shaped by downsizer demand. Many buyers are moving from large family homes with swimming pools and established gardens. While they're looking to leave the maintenance behind, they don't want to compromise on lifestyle.

At Rivière, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hillam-architects">Hillam Architects</a> designed the resident facilities as an extension of each apartment. A 25-metre heated swimming pool takes advantage of the north-facing river outlook, complemented by a large gym, sauna and steam rooms, private dining spaces, residents' lounges, a cinema, games room, and dedicated wine and whisky rooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=372542]

The waterfront location has also proved to be a major drawcard. Residents are within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel, South of Perth Yacht Club, the Heathcote Cultural Precinct and the cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Ardross Street.

Beyond the location and amenity, McSweeney says many buyers take confidence from Edge's fully integrated development model.

Having delivered apartments across Perth for decades, Edge now designs, develops and constructs its projects in-house, giving the company greater control over quality, delivery and the finished product.

"What I love is when people walk through their apartment for the first time and say, 'This is better than what we imagined,'" McSweeney says. "We hear that all the time."

Completed apartments in the East and Central buildings are now available to inspect by appointment, while Rivière West, the final stage of the precinct, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=28384]

North-facing Swan River views drive demand at Rivière Residences in Applecross

Recently we were invited to check out the popular new apartment development in Perth, Amara City Gardens, Booragoon. It's already 60% sold, and construction completion due July this year, so now is a great time to secure a brand new, low maintenance home in this highly sought-after location.

Watch our video tour:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eMFhwWbPybo" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>AMARA CITY GARDENS AT A GLANCE</h2>

Address:&nbsp;179&nbsp;Davy Street, Booragoon, WA 6154 
Developer:&nbsp;Iris Residential 
Architect:&nbsp;Cameron Chisholm Nicol Architects 
Builder:&nbsp;BGC Construction 
[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=8266]

Situated at Davy Street in Booragoon, you're conveniently within walking distance to Westfield Booragoon, one of the biggest shopping centres in Perth, with shopping, dining and entertainment right at your doorstep as well as medical services, parks and leisure centres. There is plenty of transport on your doorstep to access Perth or Fremantle, including Bull Creek Train Station and freeways. Amara City Gardens is also just 4 kilometres to Murdoch University and less than a kilometre to the highly regarded Applecross Senior High School and Booragoon Primary School.

In terms of in-house amenities, you'll enjoy the ultimate relaxation at the on-site sauna or tai chi deck, keep fit in the fully equipped gymnasium, and socialise* at the on-site dining lounge, which also includes a generous wine cellar. And for alfresco evenings, you'll be able to make use of the open-air BBQ and sunset verandah.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8266 project_image_fid=158135]

If you're looking for a home with panoramic views, select apartments offer impressive panoramic CBD and Swan River vistas to enjoy each day.

There are a well-designed collection of two or three-bedroom home* configurations available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8266 project_image_fid=197678]

Each home boasts 2.7 metre high ceilings, with 100% wool carpet, reconstituted stone benchtops, gas cooktops and high-quality Smeg appliances. Your apartment will also include a generous amount of storage, making downsizing a breeze.

Developer Iris Residential and architect Cameron Chisholm Nicol Architects have worked together to strive for a 7-star NatHERS rating. This has been achieved by providing solar power to common areas, double glazing throughout the development, a car-charging bay, and a central solar hot water system keeping utility costs affordable.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8266 project_image_fid=84910]

Amara City Gardens offers the perfect lock up and leave apartment with undercover car bays, secured bicycle racks and a resident's entry lobby.&nbsp;

Homes at Amara City Gardens are selling quickly, so use this opportunity to enquire via Urban to secure your future home today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Olivia Round

Display Tour Video: Amara City Gardens by Iris Residential at 179 Davy Street, Booragoon, WA

Watch a video tour of the Cirque Duet display suite at 18 Ogilvie Road, Mount Pleasant in Western Australia.

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[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=8516]

Cirque is set to redefine Mount Pleasant’s Canning Bridge Precinct.

Cirque Duet is set to become the new heart of this long-established community connecting Ogilvie and Kishorn Roads with a new public walkway featuring an impressive chromaflow wall art installation.

Every apartment at Cirque Duet has been designed and orientated to take advantage of magnificent panoramic views across the Canning and Swan Rivers to Perth City and the eastern hills.

The kitchen features the finest V-Zug appliances, seamless porcelain benchtops and completely integrated, stylish storage solutions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8516 project_image_fid=191419]

Living areas are open and offer plenty of space and light. Bedrooms and bathrooms continue the luxurious theme and feature the finest fixtures, fittings and finishes.

With no on-going maintenance or gardens to consider – and state-of-the-art security including CCTV – Cirque Duet is an ideal lock-and-leave address for those who love to travel.

The residents’ deck provides indoor and outdoor resort-style features; including a heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, cinema, barbecues, a cocktail bar, private dining spaces, a children’s nature playground and games room.

Mount Pleasant is an aspirational river side location, and Cirque defines this thriving precinct for the city.

Cirque will become a landmark in this vibrant waterside community with an integrated mix of commercial, retail, residential, cultural and leisure uses in a pedestrian-friendly enclave.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8516 project_image_fid=191426]

&nbsp;

Watch a video tour of the Cirque Duet display suite at 18 Ogilvie Road, Mount Pleasant in Western Australia.

urban.com.au

Cirque Duet by Stirling Capital at 18 Ogilvie Road, Mount Pleasant, WA | Display Suite Video Tour

The Perth skyline is set to welcome&nbsp;one of the world&#39;s most unique towers to date.

Developer Grange Development has this week submitted plans to City of South Perth for what is set to be the world&rsquo;s tallest, $350million hybrid timber tower, and Western Australia&rsquo;s first carbon negative building.

If approved, the 183m high residential building, at 6 Charles Street, South Perth &ndash; aptly titled C6&nbsp;after the periodic table&rsquo;s symbol for Carbon - will become one of Australia&rsquo;s most ambitious carbon negative buildings, with only the Atlassian hybrid timber Tower in Sydney currently on target for a similar carbon negative status.

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners - a research-based design studio that has emerged from Elenberg Fraser and created in response to the demands of our times and viewed through the lens of the climate crisis - C6 will be constructed using approximately 7,400m3 of timber leveraging Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue Laminated Timber (Glulam) and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL).

The proposal currently includes provisions for 245 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments set over 48 levels, a 500 sqm rooftop with an edible garden, dining and entertainment space, and 1650 sqm of communal wellness amenity.

<a href="/new-apartments/c6-6-charles-street-south-perth"><img alt="" height="846" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-21_at_9.10.45_am.png" width="1276" /></a>

At ground level, C6 will include a 2000sqm+ four-storey, split level, open-air piazza with a playground, cinema, horticultural zone, F&amp;B and entertainment precinct, equivalent in size to over 85% of the site, gifted back to Council and the community.

The public realm has been envisaged as a part paddock-to-plate urban farm and part immersive education hub in a visual and auditory experience.

Biophilic design is at the heart of C6, with almost 3,500 sqm of floral, edible, and native gardens. The building seeks to demonstrate that living in a building connected to nature provides tangible health benefits for its occupants.

In total, C6 will offer 18 sqm of communal space per apartment, which is 300 percent more than the current planning requirements of 6 sqm per apartment.

<a href="/new-apartments/c6-6-charles-street-south-perth"><img alt="" height="815" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-21_at_9.11.01_am.png" width="1508" /></a>

Through its extensive research and best practice benchmarking, Grange Development believes that hybrid timber buildings are the future of a carbon conscious construction industry, and if executed correctly, can transform the foundations of our built environments.

Grange Developer Founder and Director, James Dibble, said C6 represents the future of what is possible, except that it will be delivered now.

&ldquo;If we get this right, we should never have to rely on building another solely concrete or steel tower in our lifetime&rdquo; Dibble said.

&quot;The built environment is one of the three major drivers of catastrophic climate change, alongside transport and agriculture. With promising technological advances in both the transport and agriculture industries now working towards drastically reducing global carbon footprints, the property industry is lagging dangerously behind.

&ldquo;Timber as a building material has been around for centuries, but only recently has mass timber construction and fabrication methods made it a viable option en masse.&quot;

<a href="/new-apartments/c6-6-charles-street-south-perth"><img alt="" height="817" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-21_at_9.11.56_am.png" width="1155" /></a>

On-site energy production, a complete electric vehicle solution that can totally remove the need for fossil fuel-powered cars, ahuge focus on biophilic design to deliver tangible health benefits, and a building that actively sequesters carbon.

Post construction, Grange Development is committed to open source sharing the project&rsquo;s research, design and construction documentation, as a call to arms for other developers to take up, evolve and further progress this building methodology.

&ldquo;Steel and concrete are some of the most energy-dense materials in the world to produce and at the moment the industry relies on it. If we can accelerate a paradigm shift into the use of more renewable building materials such as mass timber in a hybrid nature and see even 10, 15 or 20 percent of future projects use mass timber in their construction in the next few years, we will have succeeded. At the moment that figure is almost zero. If nothing changes, nothing changes.

&ldquo;C6 will bring together global best-practice in biophilic design, sustainability, architecture and engineering. Fraser &amp; Partners shares our passion and vision for creating a viable solution to our built environments&rsquo; reliance on non-renewable materials, so together we want C6 to be the beacon of change this industry so desperately, and immediately needs,&rdquo; he said.

C6 has been submitted to council for planning approval, with the building earmarked to launch in the market next year.

Grange Developer Founder and Director, James Dibble, said C6 represents the future of what is possible, except that it will be delivered now.

Perth set for world first hybrid timber tower with 245 apartments

The collaboration between Aria Land and Blueways Group continues to see success in Perth&#39;s most sought-after suburbs.

They&#39;ve recently hit the milestone of 60 per cent sold at Bloom Residences, their premium Hassell Studio-designed development of just 38 apartments in the affluent Nedlands area on the Swan River.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93813 project_image_fid=178504]

Buyers have a small window to secure a Bloom apartment with a discounted 50 per cent stamp duty concession from the government, which is only applicable for contracts exchanged before construction begins. Site works have commenced, with construction expected to start later this year.

The one, two and three-bedroom apartments, which start from $649,000, can now be secured with premium upgrade packages of some of the appliances and fixtures.

The upgraded design schemes include two new options, with Brass and Bronze, featuring a myriad of details and finishes improving the already impressive quality of the Bloom residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93813 project_image_fid=195317]

The Brass scheme delivers a vibrant, Mirage Lake honed quartzite natural stone to the kitchen island bench, splashback, and bathroom vanity, with the bespoke, award-winning, NOVAS Frame Collection in a Satin Gold finish complementing the tapware, showers, accessories and door ware fittings throughout.

Timber-look joinery with integrated Lo &amp; Co&rsquo;s Kintore Range appliance and linear pull handles increase the luxe feel of the residences, along with accent cabinetry by Rimex Metals, with a satin stainless steel in champagne finish above the induction cooktop.

Woodpecker&rsquo;s Signature Oak Range &lsquo;Marina&rsquo; engineered timber flooring lays the platform to the Brass scheme homes, with Legrand Home Automation, including lighting control, Wi-Fi appliance control and Smart Energy monitors included in the upgrade.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93813 project_image_fid=195318]

The Bronze scheme is set to follow a similar design influence, with an elegant, Mont Blanc honed quartzite natural stone for the kitchen island bench, splashback, and bathroom vanity, while the tapware, showers, accessories, and door ware fittings will feature the NOVAS Frame Collection in a Satin Antique Bronze finish instead.

Timber-look joinery with integrated Lo &amp; Co&rsquo;s Kintore Range appliance and linear pull handles are included once again, with the floor covered in the Woodpecker&rsquo;s Signature Oak Range in &lsquo;Alpine&rsquo;.

Accent cabinetry by Rimex Metals is in a satin stainless steel bronze finish above the induction cooktop and the design scheme also includes the Legrand Home Automation.

Both design upgrade schemes also include a Coco Republic Design Experience, which includes an in-store consultation with an interior designer and discounts on Coco Republic furniture and homewares.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=93813]

The premium apartments can be bought with discounted stamp duty, only before construction commences


Bloom Residences, Nedlands apartments, hit over 60 per cent sold 

Henley Rise is one of the latest projects from Blueways Group, who has teamed up with Aria Land to deliver a contemporary project in the leafy riverside suburb of Como.

Property prices are experiencing strong growth in Perth, with forecasts suggesting there are further gains expected over the next few years.

Henley Rise is expected to start construction later this year, therefore giving buyers the opportunity to secure their brand new apartment with&nbsp;a discounted 50 per cent stamp duty concession,&nbsp;in line with the government&#39;s initiatives for buyers to secure their apartment before the build gets underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94976 project_image_fid=178648]

It&#39;s expected those purchasing apartments off the plan will benefit in the long-term, with a combination of both forecasted price growth and no mortgage repayments until completion, which for Henley Rise is forecast by late 2023.

Apartment prices start from just $439,000 at Henley Rise.

The two-tower Henley Rise offers a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all designed to take advantage of its peaceful riverside location, as well as being future-proofed with highly sustainable design initiatives.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94976 project_image_fid=178663]

Perth is becoming an attractive proposition again for property investors, with the city currently&nbsp;experiencing a period of one of the lowest rental vacancies. This low has resulted in not only pushing people into buying&nbsp;property, meaning less housing stock on the market, but also an increased investor appetite, given the heightened likelihood of comfortably securing a tenant on a high yield.

The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia&nbsp;has predicted median rent prices will increase between 10 and 15 per cent in 2022.

&ldquo;Tenant demand will remain high in 2022, which will see rents continue to rise. Despite this, the Perth rental market is still very affordable, with WA tenants enjoying the cheapest rental market conditions in the country,&rdquo; said Real Estate Institute of WA President, Damian Collins.

The shift out of lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic and with borders re-opening will also continue to create large numbers of interstate interest and international migration, with Aria Land Managing Director, Paul Simpson suggesting now is the perfect time to buy into the market.

&ldquo;Construction prices have and will continue to rise so those looking to get into the market should consider buying now to protect yourself against future price rises,&quot; said Simpson.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94976 project_image_fid=178653]

&quot;This works in a few ways though, because with the foreseen rises, buyers can reap the benefits as their new home grows in value.&quot;

Blueways recently launched the Southern Tower in Henley Rise, adding another 60 apartments, including three penthouses.

Henley Rise is the group&rsquo;s biggest project to date, totalling 111 apartments, with the residences focussed at catering to all buyer types including first home buyers, investors, upgraders, and down sizers.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=94976]

As property prices continue to surge across Perth, Henley Rise soars to the top of apartments you need to buy into now.

Blueways Group and Aria Land see diverse buyer mix at new Como apartments, Henley Rise

Following the success of their sold-out Cirque Residences in Mount Pleasant, the renowned Western Australia builder developer, Stirling Capital, has launched its sister tower, Cirque Duet.

The new 20-storey, 98-apartment tower sits on the banks of the Canning River.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8516 project_image_fid=191440]

Promising peak luxury and amazing views of the Perth CBD across the Canning and Swan rivers, Cirque Duet offers buyers the chance to join an established community that has received nationwide acclaim.

Cirque is one of Western Australia&rsquo;s most-awarded residential apartment projects, noted for its design, amenity, and sustainability.

Luke Reinecke, Managing Director of Stirling Capital, said the accolades are recognition for Stirling&rsquo;s focus on design-led developments that are sustainable and sit comfortably in their surroundings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8516 project_image_fid=191421]

The secondary tower will link to the original project, Cirque, creating a butterfly-building profile with the wing opening up views for apartments along the rivers.

Comprising one, two and three-bedroom configurations, Stirling engaged MJA Studios to&nbsp;design the tower.

The fourth floor will be home to a 3000 sqm podium deck which will join the two buildings. Providing shared lifestyle spaces and features, the podium will feature a heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym, private dining, wine room, children&rsquo;s playground, barbecue facilities and a pet wash, all set amongst extensive landscaping.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8516 project_image_fid=191426]

Internally, the residences have open, functional layouts, luxury finishes and high-end V-Zug appliances.

To top it off, Cirque is the first residential building in WA to certified as a five-star building by the Green Building Council of Australia, with car share facilities available for residents. &nbsp;

Residents also have access to a train station, local retail, and cafes, and walking and biking trails nearby.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=8516]

Stirling launch second Mount Pleasant apartment tower, Cirque Duet

For their most recent luxury project in Perth, the ASX-listed property developer, Mustera Property Group, went overseas to acquire a unique design.

They had the Singapore-based WOHA to handle the architecture for Forbes Residences,&nbsp;a boutique collection of just 34 three and four-bedroom&nbsp;residences in the popular riverside suburb of Applecross.

The internationally renowned, award- winning architectural firm has important connection to Perth, through lead project architect and co-founder, Richard Hassell, who graduated from the University of Western Australia in the late 1980s.

&ldquo;We were approached by Mustera Property Group to explore the idea of a new mixed-use high-rise typology for Applecross, Perth,&quot; Hassell told Urban.

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&quot;They were aware of our projects in Singapore and wanted to see if our design strategies could be adapted to suit Perth&rsquo;s climate and context.

&quot;Western Australia has a beautiful climate and landscape and our client wanted to bring something different to the fairly homogenous market,&rdquo; Hassell said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;This is why, together with MJA Studio, WOHA were commissioned to design a development that offers a better high-rise lifestyle, one that maintains the feel of the leafy suburbs with plenty of options for indoor/outdoor living.&rdquo;

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Inspired by Applecross, the&nbsp;ambition for Forbes was to create exceptional riverside homes for residents to enjoy all the area has to offer.

&ldquo;The key aspect of the Forbes development is that it&rsquo;s designed, not as a stand-alone urban object, but as a three-dimensional environment that contains liveable, generous homes, shared facilities, commercial spaces, community services within gardens, natural light and air.&rdquo;

Presented as four organically shaped towers, connected via a series of sky gardens, fresh air and light weave throughout every level, creating naturally lit and ventilated lift lobbies.

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&ldquo;Applecross offers a beautiful garden suburb environment on the peninsula, and it inspired the building form, which is expressed as four modernist &ldquo;villas&rdquo; on a romantic mountainous landscape.&rdquo;

&ldquo;This expression gave us the opportunity to create extensive &#39;hanging gardens&#39;&nbsp;which drape the podium form and extend up the roof. These gardens preserve the garden suburb quality, create greater privacy, frame views, and enhance sociability through forming &#39;neighbourhoods&#39;&nbsp;of 12 apartments each.&rdquo;

The &ldquo;mountain&rdquo; is an inhabitable landscape from the gardens shared with the public on the ground and first-level, to the social areas for the commercial and residential spaces.

&ldquo;The gardens are not just nice to look at but also perform meaningful environmental services that benefit the development site as well as the district. The extensive greenery reduces the heat island effect, noise, and dust, prevents glare, and provides a habitat for biodiversity.&rdquo;

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The rooftop space also provides additional gardens for the penthouses, increasing the green-plot ratio and providing a cool and pleasant &ldquo;fifth fa&ccedil;ade&rdquo;.

WOHA have been developing and evolving their design strategies for over three decades, building a range of prototypes over time which have influenced the design of the Forbes Residences.

&ldquo;Our Parkroyal Collection Pickering project, with its hanging gardens and landscaped, topographical podium, Skyville @ Dawson with its sky village concept and communal sky terraces, or the Oasia Hotel Downtown with its lush green fa&ccedil;ade and green plot ratio of over 1000 per cent, are just a few of our previous projects where we also drew inspiration from.&rdquo;

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While the group have produced high-quality and innovative designs across the globe, fitting into the context of Perth was always going&nbsp;to be a challenge. As a city with few high-rise developments, and with the suburbs known for the idyllic tree-lined streets and single family properties, Forbes Residences&nbsp;deliver something new to the western coastline.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The challenge for this development was to come up with a high-rise design that harmonises and adds greater amenity along with its higher density to its low-rise neighbourhood.&rdquo;

&ldquo;To us, it&rsquo;s always exciting to see our strategies come to life and being adapted in a different part of the world, with a different climate and cultural context. We are happy that we&rsquo;re able to work with our talented local partners to realise this vision of Forbes Residences as a civic building that shares its assets with the community and enhances its environment, enriching the quality of life for all.&rdquo;

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Urban sat down with WOHA's, Richard Hassell, to discuss how they designed Forbes Residences in Applecross. 

How the international architecture firm WOHA designed Perth's Forbes Residences in Applecross

Proudly Western Australian, Iris Residential is Perth&rsquo;s leading developer having undertook over $1 billion of developments, with over 1100 residences completed across Perth, and a further 450 apartments are currently underway across several projects.

Designed by Cameron Chisholm Nicol Architects, Shenton Quarter delivers a mix of architecturally designed loft-style townhouses and one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

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Over 70 per cent of the homes have already been sold, with a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and one-bedroom townhouses still available.

Iris Residential&rsquo;s Shenton Quarter has been carefully located to be central to everything Shenton Park, the small suburb west of the Perth CBD, has to offer.

With a Coles Supermarket on its door-step, each apartment offers an unrivalled way of living within a vibrant,&nbsp;<a aria-label="environmentally conscious - opens in new tab" data-uw-rm-brl="false" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" data-uw-styling-context="true" href="/news/5-of-melbourne-s-environmentally-conscious-new-development-highlights" target="_blank" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.urban.com.au/news/5-of-melbournes-environmentally-conscious-new-development-highlights$environmentallyconscious">environmentally conscious</a>&nbsp;community.

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Shenton Quarter, on the corner of&nbsp;Selby Street&nbsp;and Seymour Avenue, is just 500 metres from Shenton College, and across the road from the Cliff Sadlier Vc Memorial Park. Less than a kilometre away is further green spaces, including Shenton Bushland and Shenton Park. Just passed Shenton Park is the nationally known Kings Park, on the Swan River.

The project also features over 2,400 sqm of common space and residential amenity, including a 20-metre heated swimming pool, residents&#39; dining areas, a gym, yoga deck, citrus orchard and a herb and vegetable garden.

Eligible buyers can still benefit from the Western Australian Government&rsquo;s, First Home Owners Grant, which is a one off payment of $10,000 to encourage and assist first home buyers to buy or build a new residential property.

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As of March this year, the final slabs were poured for Shenton Quarter, with 60 per cent of the south structure completed - with the developers tipping construction to be completed by the end of the year.

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Over 70 per cent of the homes have already been sold, with a selection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and one-bedroom townhouses still available.



Shenton Quarter hits over 70 per cent sold 

GurnerTM is now operating in four states, having secured a prime development site in Nedlands, an affluent suburb on the outskirts on Perth.

In partnership with Geelong's Costa Property Group and Grange Development, GurnerTM, led by Tim Gurner, will be creating a $500 million ultra-luxury precinct on the 6,000 plus sqm site at 97-105 Stirling Highway.

There will be around 275 high-end apartments built,&nbsp;which will be delivered in stages of 60-100 residences per stage. The precinct will also feature 3,500 sqm of commercial, entertainment and retail space, as well as&nbsp;world-class health and wellness offering in what is fast becoming GURNERTM’s signature.

The site is one of the most significant regeneration precincts in Nedlands and will include an activated ground plane with public laneways and a plaza, communal lounges, a rooftop pool, garden and deck, children’s play areas, and large landscaped balconies which are staggered to create double-height volumes and improve access to natural light.

<a href="/new-apartments/97-105-stirling-highway-nedlands-western-australia-6009"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="801" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_perth_2.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

The team at GURNERTM is currently making changes to the existing permit to create a true Town Square and public realm across the ground level and first floor.&nbsp;Elenberg Fraser, the architect that led the original scheme, will be retained.

The area’s median house price of $1.91m makes it one of Perth's&nbsp;top-five most expensive suburbs, according to REIWA.

The two original developers and GURNERTM will share a 50-50 split in the project.

Tim Gurner said the team are excited to announce their first major development in Perth.

"It’s a market we believe has incredible potential, particularly in the next five to 10 years, as it continues to mature from a mining city into an economic powerhouse," Gurner said.

<a href="/new-apartments/97-105-stirling-highway-nedlands-western-australia-6009"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1518" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_perth_3.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

“We have had our eye on the Perth market for over eight years now, waiting for the right opportunity – we wanted our first site to be an iconic project of significant scale in a prime suburb, so we could set the tone for future expansion in Perth.

“The site’s current tenants, including Porsche and Bentley, exemplify the same level of ultra-luxury that GURNERTM is so renowned for. We look forward to bringing our sought-after owner-occupier product to the premium Nedlands locale, where there is limited supply.

“The site is a strategic play that will be launched when the market allows it to – with construction pricing such an issue in Perth at the moment, we will wait for the right time to ensure we can offer a superior product to the market.”

The announcement follows an unprecedented year of growth for GURNERTM, who has stormed into the NSW and QLD markets in 2021 with acquisitions across Sydney, Parramatta, Gold Coast and now Perth.

Tim Gurner said the team are excited to announce their first major development in Perth

Gurner to launch into Perth apartment market with high-end Nedlands precinct

The prominent Perth developer, Stirling Capital, whose project workbook is fast approaching $1 billion across a number of sectors, has secured 60 per cent of sales at its contemporary North Coogee apartment development, Windfall.

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mjastudio.net/" target="_blank">MJA Studio</a>, Windfall will take pride of place on the corner of Pantheon Ave and Orsino Blvd in Port Coogee.

Just steps from the marina, cafe strip, and Ngarkal Beach, Windfall comprises 61 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, offering the ultimate coastal lifestyle in one of Perth&rsquo;s most exciting, up-and-coming suburbs.

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There are plans for further eateries and retail outlets near the Port Coogee Marina.

Architecturally designed to make the most of the views and sea breeze, Windfall benefits from cross-ventilation, allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the building, as well as stylish balconies, offering protection from the elements.

The project has been designed to achieve a 5-Star Green Star rating on a &lsquo;Design&rsquo; and &lsquo;As-Built&rsquo; basis, and will also feature extensive roof top facilities including a techno gym and body zone, veggie garden, private dining and lounge, BBQ terrace, and a mix of intimate and group seating areas set amongst landscaped gardens and arbours.

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Other amenities offered within Windfall include a car wash station with rapid drainage, a pet wash station, automated parcel lockers,&nbsp;a residents&rsquo; workshop, fitted with work benches and a bicycle repair station, as well as common storage facilities. &nbsp;

Sustainability plays a big part in day-to-day life at Windfall. As a 5-star Green Star development, Windfall benefits from many energy and water-saving initiatives, which in turn means lower strata fees and household bills for residents, along with increased comfort and added value.

Neighbourhood walks don&rsquo;t get much better than around Port Coogee. From the gently rolling waves of the beach, to the expanse of wetlands and natural surrounds, there&rsquo;s plenty to explore around Windfall. Plus, with the bustling heart of Fremantle just a short drive or bus ride away, a huge array of entertainment and recreational options await.

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Port Coogee is quickly shaping up to be one of Perth&rsquo;s most sought-after and affordable coastal suburbs, making Windfall the place to be. With plenty of growth expected between Coogee and Fremantle in the upcoming years, investing in the Port Coogee lifestyle just got even more rewarding.

Windfall is expected to be completed by 2024.

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Just steps from the marina, cafe strip, and Ngarkal Beach, Windfall comprises one, two and three-bedroom apartments, offering the ultimate coastal lifestyle in one of Perth’s most exciting, up-and-coming suburbs.

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