A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

Sherpa Group has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at Flourish Soleira in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with Flourish Amargo, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Joel Robinson

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

Australia Post is one of the country’s most trusted institutions, powering one of the largest delivery networks in Australia. As online shopping continues to scale, Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online.

That scale of eCommerce activity has fundamentally changed expectations around how and when parcels arrive, and what happens when someone isn't home.

<h3>Problem solved with Parcel Lockers</h3>

The traditional alternatives to home delivery are far from ideal. Buildings can rely on reception teams to manage deliveries, which introduces ongoing staffing costs and liability concerns. Parcels can be left in common areas, which creates security and aesthetic issues. Or residents are redirected to nearby Post Offices for collection, which shifts the inconvenience rather than solving it.

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The data behind that frustration is significant. Nationally, around 9 per cent of deliveries are carded, meaning the recipient was not home and must collect the parcel from a Post Office. That figure reflects the national average reported between November 2025 and January 2026. In Melbourne, that figure rises to 20 per cent. In high-density living, it climbs again to 28 per cent. In other words, more than one in four deliveries in Melbourne apartment buildings results in a failed first attempt.

<h3>How Parcel Lockers work</h3>

The mechanics are simple. When a parcel arrives, the resident receives a notification either through the Australia Post app or via SMS. They scan a QR code, use their one-time PIN and the compartment opens. The parcel is secure, accessible and removed from the lobby floor.

Located in thoughtfully chosen, easily accessible areas, including external building interfaces, mixed-use precincts or shared communal zones, Parcel Lockers enhance convenience without requiring internal building access or additional operational oversight.

<h3>The scale of the network</h3>

This expansion represents Australia Post's largest investment in parcel infrastructure to date, building on momentum that began in 2011 when the first 24 Parcel Locker sites were introduced.

Today the Australia Post Parcel Locker network spans over 1,400 locations and more than 105,000 individual compartments, with major investment already underway to significantly expand the network further.

<h3>What it means for developers and building operators</h3>

A Parcel Locker bank is free to install and free for residents to use. That removes one of the primary barriers to adoption and shifts the conversation from cost to integration.

Australia Post's preference is to engage with developers during the design phase. That allows Parcel Lockers to be located in a considered, publicly accessible space that works for residents and the broader community. Retrofit is possible, and existing buildings can be assessed, but the strongest results occur when Parcel Lockers are treated as part of the core services plan rather than a bolt-on solution.

While the iconic Australia Post red is widely recognised, Parcel Lockers can also be delivered in more muted palettes such as beige or green to align with architectural intent.

For developers, they offer a tech-forward amenity that meets modern expectations, a reduction in courier congestion and building-management load supporting lower emissions and better ESG outcomes, and a meaningful marketability advantage in high-density, eCommerce-active areas, all at no cost for installation and maintenance, with Australia Post funding the program aside from power access.

<h3>Who's using them</h3>

Generational shopping behaviours show strong, sustained growth across all cohorts. Millennials (27–43) led online spend in 2024, contributing nearly $25 billion. Baby Boomers (60–78) increased their online spend by 17.6 per cent, becoming the fastest-growing adopters. Gen Z (13–26) and Gen X (44–59) continue to lean on delivery services as part of their everyday shopping habits.

Internationally, uptake is even more pronounced. Overseas markets are seeing rapid adoption by both developers and consumers, positioning Parcel Lockers as standard infrastructure in many new residential projects. For Melbourne's development community, this signals a shift in baseline expectations. Just as secure bike storage and dedicated parcel rooms have become more common, integrated Parcel Locker networks may soon be viewed as part of the essential service mix.

<h3>The bigger picture</h3>

Parcel Lockers aren't just a logistics fix. Developers invest heavily in lobby design, materials, lighting and landscaping to shape first impressions. Yet a stack of unattended parcels can undo that effort in an instant. Embedding parcel infrastructure early allows projects to respond to how people actually live today, supporting resident satisfaction, reducing operational strain and aligning with broader community and ESG outcomes.

As Belinda Quinn, Senior Transaction Manager – Retail &amp; Out of Home at Australia Post, puts it, residents increasingly expect delivery solutions that align with real life, are flexible, secure and available whenever they need them.

How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

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A new masterplanned estate from AVJennings has released its first stage, with homestead allotments and heritage protected countryside views.
The community, called <a href="https://www.avjennings.com.au" target="_blank">Arcadian Hills</a>, is in Cobbitty, New South Wales, some 60 kilometres south west of Sydney. The area is largely farmland, and it is a village near the more widely-known Camden.
<a href="/news">Cobbitty</a> is home to many amazing homes, including <a href="/news/amanpuri-one-of-the-great-estates-of-west-sydney-sells-for-5-6-million">Amanpuri that sold for $5.6 million earlier this year</a>.
This development will bring 457 country-style residences to the township, and also offer land-only sales in later stage releases.
AVJennings NSW’s executive general manager, Alan Soutar, said that the development is unique to the Camden LGA, and will be part of the growth already seen in the council area.
“The village of Cobbity has all the benefits of a wonderful rural community, yet the proximity to the future Oran Park Town and Camden making it a convenient place to live. Arcadian Hills will offer a tranquil family haven with a distinctive country feel,” said Soutar.
“The Arcadian Hills site was once home to a small village clustered around a historic homestead, with everyone from a blacksmith to a brickmaker and their families sharing a thriving community. Today, Arcadian Hills adjoins a 500 acre heritage area, providing never-to-be-built out neighbouring green pastures and bushland,” he said.
A fitness trail and cycleway will be included, as well as ‘Village Green’ areas and playground facilities.
Member for Camden, Chris Pattrerson, said that the development will appeal to those looking for a rural lifestyle but maintaining the conveniences of the suburbs.
 “We are pleased that AVJennings is investing further in the Camden region following the success of the company’s other local development, at Elderslie.”
The first stage includes six homes, with prices from $595,000, including both single and double storey properties.
The historic Lily Pond will be the centre of the development, with Stage One’s arterial road being Olive Hill Drive.
In February 2013, things were reportedly looking tough for AVJennings as they awaited interest to return to the house and land sector. As a result, they'd <a href="/expert-insights/buying/avjennings-awaits-the-return-of-confidence-to-house-and-land-buyers">cut the value of this development due to bureaucratic red tape</a>.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Masterplanned estate with homestead allotments for Cobbitty, New South Wales

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Voting is now open to decide the winner of House Rules Season Two.
Last night, Melbourne couple Adam and Lisa proved they are underdogs no more, taking the first spot in the top two for the series grand finale.
They’ll be competing against Perth grandparents Carole and Russell, after couple-no-longer Candy and Ryan were eliminated in a challenge to renovate a holiday home into a Barnardos Australia charity home for foster families.
Carole and Russell have borne the brunt of recent criticism over the authenticity of House Rules’ contestants’ “Aussie battler” status with the <a href="/expert-insights/building/house-rules-contestants-hardly-on-struggle-street-say-critics">discovery of their $1.17 million canal-front home</a>, which is currently on the market. They narrowly beat out Candy and Ryan by just one point, scoring 17 out of 20 for this challenge.
The two teams experienced plenty of distracting drama this week, with Candy and Ryan forced to redesign a room after the Western Australian team changed their minds about the design of a shared wall. Candy and Ryan failed to complete several zones of the home, following Candy’s dramatic hours-long storm off site.
Lisa and Adam received a 9/10 score from both judges, Joe Snell and Wendy Moore.
Now, Lisa and Adam are set to transform a “secret room” in Russell and Carole’s home, while the West Australian couple will travel to Melbourne to do the same at Lisa and Adam’s house.
The judges will score each room out of 10, making up 50% of the final tally for the teams. The remaining half will come from public voters, who are asked to vote for a team based on their work throughout the season at the<a href="https://au.tv.yahoo.com/house-rules/vote/" target="_blank"> show’s website</a>. 
Voting opened at 11:15pm last night and will close at 4:30pm this Sunday 6 July. There is a limit of 10 online votes per person. The winning team will have their mortgage paid off.
Who will you be voting for?
{module Which team deserves to win House Rules?}
Photo courtesy of Channel 7.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Who will you vote for in the House Rules grand final?

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Consumers are increasingly looking online for bathroom products for renovations, but little is available that offers high quality at a low price, according to a supplier that hopes to fill the gap in the market.
The sanitary wear and bathroom fixtures market in Australia is worth about $1.4 billion a year but major competitors in the sector do not have a significant online presence, said Calvin Ng, director of Disruptive Investments Group which recently bought a 50% stake in <a href="https://www.allurebathrooms.com.au/" target="_blank">Allure Bathrooms</a>.
“The internet has become where consumers are starting their researching journey particularly in the home renovation market,” Ng said.
Studies show that 51% of consumers research prospective purchases online before visiting a store to buy; 44% research and buy online; 32% research online, visit a store to view the product and then return online to buy; and 17% visit a store first before buying online.
“The line between physical and online is blurring and that’s one of our big strategies,” Ng said. “We intend to have showrooms and distribution centres in every state but we think the bulk of [customers’] research will start on the internet.”
Television programs like The Block and House Rules were helping to fuel a mini boom in the renovation market, while declining housing affordability was encouraging people to renovate rather than buying new homes, Ng said.
Allure Bathrooms started in 2010 designing and selling high-end bathroom fittings, vanities and accessories via eBay, and subsequently through a dedicated online store.
The first physical store opened about 12 months ago in Collingwood, Victoria. Although the supplier has only one store, Ng said it was already receiving orders from all over the country from both wholesale and retail customers.
“There isn’t too much in this space that is well-priced and high quality and that’s a huge gap in Australia,” Ng said.
He added that some of Allure’s products cost half to a third of comparable products from larger suppliers such as Harvey Norman and Reece.
“That’s typical of a market that is ripe for disruption,” Ng said.
Similar trends had already occurred in the markets for home electronics and white goods, with businesses such as electronics supplier Kogan, furniture retailer Milan Direct and white goods retailer Appliances Online, taking market share.
Allure plans to open more stores and franchise the business to develop a wider reach across Australia.
The business is already cash-flow positive and profitable. Disruptive Investments Group reported Allure’s revenue in the six months to January 2014 grew by about 65% compared with the previous six months. 
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DIY-renovators heading online to snap up home improvement products

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While Channel Seven’s House Rules would have us believe that the contestants are the typical Aussie battlers, some argue that their property portfolios say otherwise.
Doubts over the accuracy of the contestants’ portrayal on the show began after Woman’s Day reported that five of the six couples owned at least one other investment property.
Western Australian couple Russell and Carole have attracted the lion’s share of the criticism, with reports that the have a $2.3 million property portfolio. Among their assets is <a href="https://mandurah.harcourts.com.au/Property/560898/WMU22784/14-Leisure-Way" target="_blank">this three bedroom Halls Head home</a>, selling through Harcourts Mandurah.
The canal front home is currently listed for $1.17 million, and is described as without doubt one of Mandurah's iconic waterfront homes,” by selling agent Clare Seamer, who notes that the “sellers are keen to sell as is with all of the furnishings included.”
<img src="/images/2014/06/27/3.jpg" alt="">
The house has an outdoor woodfire pizza oven in its al fresco dining area, its own private jetty and a spa bath.
<img src="/images/2014/06/27/3.jpg" alt="">
Russell and Carole, whose names both appear on the title documents, purchased the home in June 2012 for $1,100,000. It’s been on the market since early April, just before the couple made their television debut. The property was advertised to rent for $750 per week in August 2012, with a yield of 3.55%
According to Woman’s Day, the couple are also part-owners of a $650,000 “luxury apartment”, while The Daily Mail reports that Russell is also listed as the owner of properties in Western Australia’s Boya, Ascot and Woodvale.
But House Rules host Joanna Griggs has called comments that the contestants aren’t battlers “utter bollocks”.
The host took to radio station WSFM 107.1 to defend the teams, saying apartment identified by Woman’s Day was “the apartment Channel Seven put them in during the course of the filming when they’re not allowed in their homes”.
Woman’s Day also reports that Candy and Ryan don’t actually live in the house that was renovated for House Rules, according to neighbours. The show’s rules don’t require contestants to only own one property, but the property that is renovated must be their primary residence. Ryan, who has split from Candy since filming the show, also reportedly owns another house in the same Western Sydney suburb.
Townsville team Maddi and Lloyd also own two homes, according to the magazine, with their property portfolio valued at $940,000. South Australians Mel and Bomber reportedly have three homes between them. The magazine estimates that Bomber’s other home is worth around $400,000, while Mel also has a home in Adelaide.
Woman’s Day claims that Melbourne couple Lisa and Adam have a $520,000 four bedroom house outside Melbourne’s CBD, bringing their property holdings to $1.2 million. Griggs says that house was purchased by Adam with his father, but that Adam sold his share of the property when he purchased the house seen on the show.
Meanwhile, it seems that eliminated contestants Brooke and Grant, at times portrayed as the villains of the series, are the only couple without other property holdings. The farmstead that houses their seven children appears to be the couple’s only residence. 
While Channel Seven has released <a href="/expert-insights/building/channel-7-s-house-rules-the-contestants-and-their-mortgages">the mortgages associated</a> with the homes renovated on the show, it is unclear how much debt is attached to the contestant's other properties. 
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House Rules contestants hardly on struggle street, say critics

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We know it’s cold. We know the last thing you want to do is go outside and work in the garden of your investment property.
However, now is a good time to get back up to date with maintenance on your property and to improve its outside appeal for selling in winter.
A lot of peoples’ gardens are, let’s be honest, short of perfect in the winter months. Bare branches, patchy grass, dead herb gardens – it’s not fantastic. If you are set to sell, then you still want to show off the outside of your property to best effect.
Firstly, aim to have your property open on a day where the weather is set to be as calm as possible.
Here are Property Observer’s tips for giving your garden a winter boost.
Solar lighting
You can buy these pretty cheaply, and they’re available in many places – from Kmart to Bunnings. At often around $5 each, a few of these lining paths, doorways or areas of best interest can do wonders for your property. Even better – they’ll make it glow in the darker mornings and overcast open home days. If you have any additional external lighting either at the front or back of the house then make sure it’s turned on for your open home.
Weather hazards 
Remove overhanging branches, dropped leaves and plants, and prune back where possible. Ensure your fence is fixed – we’ve seen many a fence swaying in the strong Australian wind, so do your best to remove this as a concern from the buyer’s mind. Tying down or removing your lighter garden pieces on windy days is important (for instance, light deck chairs and trampolines) as these can become a danger.
Mow the lawn
Sorry, this still applies even in winter! Keep it cut short and neatly trimmed. You won't get away with an unkempt garden in any weather.
Consider some winter-friendly plants
Wattles, lavender and snow drops are all good winter-flowering plants. The hardy Wollemi Pine, one of the world’s rarest trees and suitably beautiful, is also a worthwhile inclusion.
Bright colours
If plants are not your thing, and they can be tricky to maintain for those of us without green thumbs, then don’t look past some bright outdoor furniture or ornaments. Pick the pieces that suit your property, but warm colours can do wonders. Think oversized plant pots, and potentially even borrow or rent outdoor furnishings for your undercover areas. You might want to give the deck a new coat of varnish if the tough weather has made it fade - just ensure that the floor is not slippery when wet.
Heaters
When buyers come to view your property, you don’t want them to spend it thinking about the weather. While you may have considered having the inside of your house heated, particularly if it has that feature, it is probably time to turn up that outdoor heater as well.
Mats at the doors
While it’s common for shoes to be taken off during open homes, it’s worth putting mats at all the doors if you don’t want mud and damp tramped through your home. It can also be a warm and attractive addition – you can buy standard front door mats pretty cheaply, but remember to put them on your back doors as well. You may want to consider providing shoe racks, umbrella racks or similar to avoid the outside water getting into your home.
Clear path
Ensure that the walk to the front door and, where possible, through the garden, is clear and doesn’t require your prospective buyers to stand in puddles or walk through mud. You can use pavers to mark a direction in which to walk, and you can use this in the garden to guide your buyers to the best outside aspect.
Clean the pool
We know it's winter. We know that it's unlikely anyone is going for a dip. But clean your pool and have it sparkling for buyers, regardless of the weather. A green algae-ridden pool is a turn off no matter the weather, so don't tell yourself that it's acceptable.
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Selling your property in winter: Improving your garden’s appeal this weekend

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Wendy Moore has nominated her top five favourite items from this season’s renovations.
The House Rules judge and Home Beautiful magazine editor told The West Australian which design objects caught her eye.
<ol>
<li>
The Rita print from Candy and Ryan’s house. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/06/23/Rita-Vintage-Style-Canvas-189x139cm-Selected-Stores-Only.jpg" alt=""> The vintage style print from <a href="https://www.freedom.com.au/homewares/decorator-accents/wall-art/23397224/rita-vintage-style-canvas-189x139cm-selected-stores-only/" target="_blank">Freedom </a>was chosen by Carole and Russell, matching the yellow light shades over their kitchen. “It suited the house rules perfectly,” Moore told The West Australian. Carole and Russell won the highest score for their zone in Candy and Ryan’s house. 
</li>
<li>
The ant-cap lights from Bomber and Mel’s house. Brooke and Grant grabbed some ant-caps from Bomber’s shed to create new lamp shades in their lounge room. Moore called the ant-cap lights “a really clever concept.” 
</li>
<li>
The bedhead from Adam and Lisa’s house. <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2014/06/23/Capture.JPG" alt=""> The <a href="https://www.heatherlydesign.com.au/product/waldorf/" target="_blank">Warldorf bedhead by Heatherly Design</a> that Maddi and Lloyd was summed up in two words: “luxury and style” 
</li>
<li>
The blackwood bench from Brooke and Grant’s house. Halston Joinery made the custom blackwood bench in Brooke and Grant’s entrance, which had a pigeon hole for each of their seven children. 
</li>
<li>
The bath from Brooke and Grant’s house. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/06/23/bath-june-23-one.jpg" alt=""> Brooke and Grant were also given a freestanding bath. "The <a href="https://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/kado-lure-1760-freestanding-oval-bath-white-9502377" target="_blank">Kado Classic freestanding bath</a> from Reece fits perfectly within a 100-year-old farmhouse," said Moore. "A great modern version of a classic look."</li>
</ol>
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Wendy Moore’s top five finds from House Rules

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Channel 9 has released its initial video revealing the contestant couples for its next renovation suction series of The Block Glasshouse.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6gZP26PqR4&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">There is no date yet set for </a>the series start, but it is expected to air after the current season of The Voice wraps.
The contestants include retired AFL ruckman <a href="/expert-insights/buying/former-afl-ruckman-darren-jolly-sells-surrey-hills-and-joins-the-block-prahran">Darren Jolly</a> and his wife Deanne.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/06/23/block%20glasshouse%20contestants%20june%2023.jpg" alt="">
Photo courtesy of Channel 9/Facebook.
The video suggests <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBlock" target="_blank">The Block</a> has responded slightly to past criticism over its lack of diversity.
It was something that the executive producer Julian Cress had been keen to reverse, thwarted as past Block series applications had resulted in fewer than 4% of applicants being other than Caucasian.
The Block, now into its 9th series, has previously had contestants with Italian, Greek and Lebanese heritage. There will be a contestant of Asian heritage in the series.
The Block was one of the first TV shows in the world to cast a gay couple in its initial 2003 series.
In 2014 Tasmania gets its first contestants, sibling guys, Shannon and Simon in the Glasshouse. 
The other contestants are Michael and Carlene from the Gold Coast; Karstan and Maxine from Newcastle; and Jenna and Chris from Sydney.
The next Channel 9 series of The Block Glasshouse is set for the<a href="/news/the-block-shifting-to-high-street-prahran-after-objectors-fail-to-lodge-vcat-appeal"> busy cosmopolitan High Street, Prahran</a> where some <a href="/developments/prahran-vic-3181">36% of the population are singles</a>.
There are five contestant couples, although the development proposal will see six split-level atrium apartments above two restaurants in a converted Prahran office block.
The production company, Watercress spent $8.25 million on the 1980s office building near trendy Chapel Street and opposite Swinburne University's Prahran campus last August.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/06/23/life-in-a-glass-house-june-23-breakout.jpg" alt="">
The $2.5 million Brenchley Architects infill works schedule for <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/2010600795/for-sale/vic/prahran/offices" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the three-storey 3,540-square-metre building</a> (pictured above) will be mostly internally, but sought car parking dispensation and a waiver of loading and unloading requirements in association with the food and drink premises.
Feature photo courtesy of Channel 9/Facebook.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Diversity as Prahran's The Block Glasshouse contestants revealed

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It almost got a little chilly this week, even with the winter sun. The cold came from a frosty exchange between our property contrarians, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok, concerning the use of the term "winter garden", its definition and best application.

They reached agreement that a winter garden must have floor-to-ceiling external glass walls, with adjustable glass louvre panels. The space must be long and wide – not a box-like enclosed balcony. Ideally, a winter garden should also have an internal glass wall which can fold back to allow seamless flow with adjacent living areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728]

Of course over recent years, urban real estate agents have hijacked the term "winter garden" in an attempt to glamorize glass-enclosed balconies within apartments. 

The term was used during the early 19th century for grandly proportioned conservatory-style glass pavilions designed for growing plants in grand houses.

The history of winter gardens is <a href="https://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/what-wasis-winter-garden" target="_blank">well documented by a Melbourne blogger</a> who notes “the winter garden dates back to the early modern era where European nobility liked to build a large conservatory...and it had two functions: to house luscious plants that wouldn’t normally grow in that climate and to become an extension of the sociable living space.” 

The blogger further noted:

By the late 19th century, winter gardens had three defining factors:

<ol>
<li>They continued to grow warm-climate plants in a cool country; </li>
	<li>They had space for music, pleasure and strolling inside the building; and </li>
	<li>They were made of vast areas of glass to maximise the natural light and the natural views.  </li>
</ol>
Our columnists recalled the landmark Wintergarden apartments, at 57 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross.

It was designed in the 1920s to be sympathetic to its environment with its foyer then boasting indoor conservatory-style gardens.

Winter gardens were a signature of the architect John Burcham Clamp who'd also incorporated them into the 1912 Farmer’s CBD store. 

The designs used attributes of the then new “Daylight Principle”. 

The Kings Cross Wintergarden, which has lost much of its finest details, was one of Sydney's first Chicago-style apartment buildings, using steel frames to give added strength and height.

Almost a century on, our columnists now cast their eye over some recent loose usage of the term and suggest their favourite apartments worthy of the glamourous winter gardens description.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2881]

HE SAID:

I'm not a huge fan of winter gardens. Especially those that let in the draft and traffic noise. So sadly that rules out some apartments in the Renzo Paino Macquarie Apartments block, given its Macquarie Street position above the Cahill Express entry. The one's above the Royal Botanic Gardens work better. Conservatories in family homes don't do it for me either. I don't mind the old fashioned sunroom, but that's for another day. I've been impressed by the winter gardens in the newly completed <a href="https://www.metroresidences.com.au/interior" target="_blank">Metro</a> project in Chatswood. Ditto the Central Park project at Broadway where they were marketed as ‘loggias’ - weatherproofed with high-tech vertically-sliding glass panels, allowing the residents of blocks, such <a href="https://www.centralparksydney.com/live/the-mark" target="_blank">The Mark</a> to open the space to the elements as a balcony, or close the windows and enjoy bonus indoor space. With no change internal apartment floor level, the loggia seamlessly connects to the living space, and can be used as a dining room, study, extra living space or just an urban garden. 

One knockout winter garden I've spotted is at <a href="/news">Newcastle</a>, NSW, not the UK. Occupying a coveted spacious north east corner position on the sixth floor of The York luxury apartments, there's a winter garden with electronic louvres offering both views of Nobbys Headland and Fort Scratchley and the rolling sound of the surf from Newcastle Beach.

Pictured below, the 601/61 Shortland Esplanade sold at $1.075 million early last year <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-newcastle-112905739" target="_blank">through PRD agent Mark Kentwell</a>. I'd have liked a little more furnishings with better than the one pot plant in the corner.

<img alt="" src="/images/2014/06/19/newcastle%20june%2019%20one.jpg">

In Melbourne's Eureka Tower I see they have actually been taking some of the winter gardens out. Not unsurprising, as they always looked too clunky, with their framework in tight odd shaped spaces, for my liking. I see 2101/7 Riverside Quay has been listed through MICM agent Brent Schapel sans winter garden in the 120 square metre abode. Looks like the black granite kitchen, pull-out pantry, and laundry were preferred. 

Harry Triguboff's high-rise, Miramar on Pitt Street, Sydney didn't market the block as having winter gardens when offered in 1993. But it didn't stop Lisa Wang and Yvonne Wong from the Cubic estate agency recently marketing, then selling their Miramar apartment offering supposedly with a winter garden. The apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-sydney-116027911" target="_blank">170/398 Pitt Street</a> fetched $700,000 earlier this year, despite having sliding windows rather than the requisite louvres – though it was correctly marketed as low maintenance, with $730 weekly market rental potential (pictured below). I recall the 38-floor block with 267 apartments was one of the first with very strong Chinese ownership, with the then president of the Real Estate Institute of NSW, John Nicoll noting at the time that the trend in demand for inner-city apartments had been fuelled by uncertainty over the Hong Kong changeover in 1997.

 

 <img alt="" src="/images/2014/06/19/newcastle%20june%2019%20two.jpg">

Margie Blok weighs in on winter gardens on the next page.

SHE SAID:

Winter gardens have been bandied around the Sydney real estate scene since the Renzo Piano designed Macquarie Apartments building was sold off the plan during the late 1990s.

Estate agents and their copywriters often use the word erroneously when describing a glass-enclosed verandah.

While Jonathan worries about winter gardens being drafty, I argue winter gardens can work well if designed appropriately. In Sydney, glass louvres, a sunny aspect and generous proportions are paramount.  

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22699]

During my real estate travels, the best winter gardens I have seen are in Macquarie Apartments, as evidenced in Apartment 28 which sold last November for $3.75 million <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-sydney-114788639" target="_blank">through Wilson Property Agents</a> (pictured below). The landmark CBD building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano saw all 62 apartments sell off-the-plan for an average $2.1 million. The typical internal space was 200 square metres to 220 square metres with 16 square metre to 25 square metre winter garden.

When I inspected this apartment, the winter garden impressed me because it works well with the other living areas, and it makes the most of natural light and the magnificent harbour views. Also, its wide glass frontage is fitted with electronically controlled glass crystal louvres which can be adjusted easily to control wind and rain. 

<img alt="" src="/images/2014/06/19/sydney%20june%2019%20one.jpg">

2) An example of the exaggerated use of the term “winter garden” is a Melbourne apartment <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-melbourne-114155231" target="_blank">listed through Buxton Albert Park agents James Hatchman and Darren Male</a> (pictured below).

In a modern Karl Fender designed building situated on St Kilda Road, this one-bedder has a 26 square metre living area with sliding metal and glass doors opening to a glass-enclosed balcony with two half-height louvre panels – it could be described as a winter garden at a stretch. And the sad singular pot plant doesn't assist.  

<img alt="" src="/images/2014/06/19/melbourne%20june%2019%20two.jpg">

3)  An advertisement for a one-bedder, at Zetland in Sydney, inappropriately uses the word 'winter garden'. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-zetland-117141391" target="_blank">Listed through Compass Realty agent, David Ho</a>, the apartment (pictured below) is described as a “Stunning Near New One Bedroom with enclosed winter garden”. 

With a masonry wall and sliding glass windows, this “winter garden” space is no more than an enclosed verandah measuring nine square metres.

<img alt="" src="/images/2014/06/19/zetland%20june%2019%20one.jpg">
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Apartments with winter gardens: He Said/She Said

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After being tasked with fixing a zone in their own home, South Australian couple Bomber and Mel were eliminated from Channel 7’s House Rules.
Each team was given 24 hours to return to their house and fix up a zone previously renovated by another team.
Bomber and Mel, who have been dating for the shortest time of the couples, were sent home after fixing up their home’s kitchen, dining room and their daughter Kaitlin’s bedroom.
The zone was originally renovated by Townsville couple Maddi and Lloyd, who installed a teal splash back, complete with black paint splashes in the kitchen, and painted Kaitlin’s room black. Although Bomber and Mel attempted to instil more of their “junk shop chic” sensibilities in their fix up, they couldn’t do enough, with judges Joe Snell and Wendy Moore awarding them just 10 out of 20.
Adam and Lisa were awarded the second lowest score of the night by the judges with a score of just 12 out of 20. They chose to fix up the laundry, hall and guest room that had been previously renovated by eliminated Tasmanian couple Brooke and Grant. Adam and Lisa were the underdogs at the start of the season, but it seemed that their luck had changed after they were awarded the first ever 10 out of 10 score for their renovation of Lloyd and Maddi’s kitchen.
Unfortunately they reverted back to initial form this week, with the judges declaring that they had chosen the wrong zones to fix.
Western Australian couple Russell and Carol took on the laundry and master bedroom of their home, which was originally renovated by Melbourne couple Candy and Ryan. They managed to uphold their house rule of “vintage lux”, tearing down a plywood bedhead that Candy and Ryan had installed and replacing it with an old Balinese door. The judges decided that though they excelled in their master bedroom makeover, their finishing touches weren’t up to scratch. They were given 14 out of 20 for their effort.
Townsville’s Maddi and Lloyd did their best to undo the Brooke and Grant’s work on their master bedroom, walk in robe, and deck. While the judges liked their bedroom and deck makeover, wallpaper woes continued when Townsville presented limited wallpaper options at 24 hour notice. Though the judges were glad the couple had taken down Brooke and Grant’s liquorice striped wallpaper in their walk in robe, their hastily applied mismatching wallpaper wasn’t much better. They scored 15 out of 20.
Previous challenge winners Candy and Ryan, armed with some extra cash, fixed up the zone completed by Adam and Lisa in the first week of the series. The couple tackled the much hated entry, the incomplete study and the family room of their house. They lost marks for barely making a change to the study (beyond purchasing and assembling a desk) but were rewarded for their bright and colourful living room. The judges even liked their glassless framed artwork, with Wendy Moore declaring that the matte finish gave the art an even more contemporary feel – not realising that the couple had accidentally smashed their frame’s glass when transporting the art into the house. Candy and Ryan also scored 15 out of 20 for their makeover.
Next week will see the couples enter the semi-finals of House Rules season two, with each team undertaking garden makeovers. The season’s winning team will have their mortgage repaid in full.
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House Rules: Bomber and Mel get the boot after own home challenge

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The Channel 7 House Rules resident design expert Carolyn Burns-McCrave recently shared her top 10 tips for any renovation. 
<ol>
<li>Honestly and clearly identify your needs, wants and motivation for renovating.</li>
<li>Create a master plan so that you do things in the most efficient order.</li>
<li>Hire a design professional.</li>
<li>Design it better, not bigger. It's not how much space you have but how well it functions for you and your family. </li>
<li>Design and document everything down to the last detail so that pricing by builders is accurate. It's vital that quotes are comparing apples with apples and there's minimal guess work.</li>
<li>Work a contingency into your budget and your time frame. It will take longer and it will cost more!</li>
<li>Be patient. Wait for the right builder for you to be available. A good builder is a busy builder.</li>
<li>Communicate with everyone involved in your project. It's a full time job to constantly be in the loop but it promotes a good working relationship that will stand you in good stead when challenges arise. </li>
<li>Keep the faith. Don't start cutting corners at the end of your project because you just want it to be over. Be as focused on what you want at the end as you were in the beginning, because all those finishing touches are what you will see when it's all done.</li>
<li>Enjoy the ride. It's important to embrace the journey of renovating by staying positive and enthusiastic - it is always worth it in the end.</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://au.tv.yahoo.com/house-rules/24224716/carolyn-s-top-reno-tips/#page1" target="_blank">Carolyn Burns-McCrave</a> says she loves watching people develop their eye for design.
{module Do you agree renovations are always worth it in the end?}
 
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