<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367540]

The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367529]

Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140747]

Joel Robinson

Smith by Valli delivers design-led apartments to Melbourne’s inner north

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365684]

Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“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," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365687]

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "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."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323057]

The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323055]

Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323052]

The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146358]

MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

Apartment developers in the Gold Coast are finding new, creative ways to differentiate themselves from competing projects, as new supply starts to flow through up and down the Coast.

Developer BIG Projects brought in the renowned Sydney-based design studio YSG Studio to craft the interiors for The Frederick, BIG Projects' new Mermaid Beach project and YSG Studio's first move into the multi-residential development space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5346]

It was a strategic move for BIG Projects to bring in a Sydney eye to the development.

“Our role is to give our design partners the space and freedom to explore,” says Matt Barrett, Director of BIG Projects.

“We wanted YSG Studio to capture the essence of Nobby’s, to design a building that embraces life, light and connection, while creating a genuine sense of place.”

There are only 39 apartments in The Frederick, including a striking beach house, just 100 metres from the booming Nobby Beach precinct.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5347]

Yasmine Ghoniem, Director of YSG Studio, says their vision&nbsp;for The Frederick "reinvents coastal living."

“Nobby’s has such an iconic energy, it’s one of those rare pockets of the Gold Coast where the community, the beach, and the streets all feel connected,” Ghoniem says.

"Responding to the neighbouring coastline, soothing curves add a relaxing regional overlay, while unique detailing really sets it apart. It’s a place that feels lived in from the moment you step inside.”

A standout feature of The Frederick is its rooftop terrace, an uncommon inclusion for a boutique, low-rise building, where amenity is typically concentrated at ground level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5360]

Positioned to capture panoramic views from the hinterland to the ocean, the rooftop has been designed as a series of intimate zones. It includes a pool, sauna, sun decks, workspaces and dedicated entertaining areas.

“The rooftop was conceived as a collection of spaces where residents can unwind and connect, an extension of the Nobby’s lifestyle,” Barrett says.

Architecture for the project was led by Plus Studio, with landscape design by LDG Landscape Architecture.

SRQ Projects Director Nick Clydsdale, who is handling sales at The Frederick, says the majority of enquiry is coming from South East QLD and Victorian buyers who have been actively searching between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach for some time.

"They’ve reviewed a number of projects, however this one has stood out for its unique detailing and compelling design,"&nbsp;Clydsdale says.

Site demolition is slated for this month, with construction commencing soon after. BIG Projects is targeting a late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=110588]

Sydney’s YSG Studio makes Gold Coast multi-residential debut with BIG Projects at The Frederick

Melbourne-based property developer ALTA Property has this week achieved planning approval for the adaptive re-use of a former commercial tower into a $200 million, 169-apartment project at 10 Queens Road, one of the last developable sites along the Albert Park Lake-fronting boulevard.&nbsp;

Set within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after precincts and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser and Partners</a>, the illustrious building will offer unparalleled views across Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;

The mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences will be complemented by a ground-floor amenity featuring private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working, outdoor communal gardens, and retail.&nbsp;

The 17-storey building is a masterclass in adaptive re-use, with the existing commercial building’s façade, shell and internal structure to be retained, before high-end residences are built from the ground up in a newly built Albert Park facing addition to the building.&nbsp;

Sitting atop the building will be two 320+sqm penthouses with private rooftop terraces, which are expected to be priced between $9 - $11 million.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa11211b-5581-43f9-940c-fc84d30a0e61" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/C_04.png?VersionId=Yhf5p_1EgGDu_zOIMFgvA8Ug8j3sTFQs" />

Architecturally, the building will feature a curved, geometric façade that celebrates and elevates the existing structure, with warm, muted tones which were selected to extend the materiality of the existing building rather than contrast it.&nbsp;

Interiors will bring together three metre high ceilings with waffle concrete in some spaces, natural timber, granite and Australian materials, culminating in crafted, generous and considered spaces that are defined by authenticity.&nbsp;

The adaptive re-use means that the Queens Road project will be a sustainability led, high-quality finished product, with a 62% saving in carbon emissions by re-using the existing structure rather than knocking it down and rebuilding.&nbsp;

ALTA Property was launched by Nigel Givoni in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in multi level residential delivery.&nbsp;

Melbourne’s property market growth is currently led by apartments. According to RPM VIC Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), units are outpacing houses, especially in the middle ring suburbs where median prices hit $757,500 – a four-year high that represents 2.9 percent growth quarter-on-quarter.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="647e13d7-b4bc-433a-9bc9-fe3c3dd4f2ec" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/V_06.png?VersionId=ou4NUCWUgA3NAy.6CQJlEdKX50j3dOk6" />

For ALTA Property Founder Nigel Givoni, this performance speaks to the confidence he has in the Melbourne market.&nbsp;

“Queens Road represents a rare opportunity to continue to shape our presence in the Melbourne market.,"&nbsp;Givoni says.

"With a considered project team and a premier site along one of the city’s most sought-after boulevards, we look forward to contributing to the fabric of this established address.

“Other Australian markets are getting a lot of attention, but I believe the depth of value in Melbourne is being overlooked. The fundamentals are strong, population growth is steady and, based on our preliminary conversations with a leading builder, construction costs are beginning to normalise, creating further opportunity."

Givoni says the project is a&nbsp;highly considered example of adaptive re-use, delivering quality, high-end residences, premium hotel-inspired amenities and an architecturally striking façade, all achieved without the need to remove the existing structure.

"We are really looking forward to the market’s response,” he said.&nbsp;

ALTA Property to deliver $200 million Queens Road apartment tower

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
There has been a surge in demand for properties located in coastal and hinterland ‘lifestyle’ regions and towns.
While a great deal has been written about the resurgence in the so called ‘sea change’ phenomenon, many of the prime hinterland regions within close proximity to Australia’s capital cities have also benefited from a renewed ‘tree change’.
Here is an analysis on the trend around tree change activity in Australia, with some interesting results.
I found that although the pace of capital gains is generally easing, a variety of factors have contributed to renewed demand for properties outside the cities. A large part of it must be attributable to the ‘wealth effect', where home owners (particularly those in Sydney and Melbourne) have seen a substantial wealth boost via their property holdings. Couple this with a large cohort of baby boomers seeking out holiday homes or relocation options as they shift into retirement age, and the demand picture becomes more pronounced.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%201.JPG" alt="">
Perhaps another element is the growing acceptance and popularity of ‘telecommuting’ thanks to faster internet speeds, wider employer acceptance of working from home and broader availability of technologies such as VPN, which provides a secure virtual office environment for staff working remotely.
A final piece of the puzzle comes back to housing prices and affordability. It’s often the case that hinterland properties will provide a lower entry point to the market relative to their coastal or big city counterparts, especially when you take into consideration that typical block sizes are much larger. Looking across some of the most popular hinterland regions adjacent to the capital cities shows a broad range of values and historic growth conditions.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%202.JPG" alt="">
Across the selected regions, the hinterland areas of the NSW Southern Highlands and the Macedon Ranges in Victoria show the most significant value premium. The median dwelling value across the Southern Highlands of NSW is just over $735,000, while the Macedon Ranges have a typical dwelling value of roughly $700,000 – not cheap, but both regions show a lower median dwelling value relative to their respective capital cities.
At the other end of the spectrum is Tasmania’s Central Highlands, where the typical house is worth just over $200,000. The regions to see the strongest growth over the past five years are generally very different to the best performers over the past twelve months. The hinterland areas peripheral to Sydney have dominated the capital gain stakes over the past five years, however growth in those areas has slowed substantially over the past twelve months.
The regions to see the strongest growth over the past five years are generally very different to the best performers over the past twelve months. The hinterland areas peripheral to Sydney have dominated the capital gain stakes over the past five years, however growth in those areas has slowed substantially over the past twelve months.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%203.JPG" alt="">
The past twelve months has seen the Gold Coast hinterland record the fastest rate of capital gain, with dwelling values up 8.1%, followed by Vic’s Macedon Ranges where growth seems to have rippled away from the previously more popular Yarra Ranges.
Gold and Sunshine Coast hinterland regions
The South East Queensland hinterland regions are continuing to see values rise, although the trends are moving in different directions across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast hinterlands. The Sunshine Coast hinterland has seen the annual pace of capital gains ease from 6.0% a year ago to 2.2% over the twelve months ending August 18. Conversely, the Gold Coast hinterland is recording an acceleration in capital gains, with the pace of annual growth rising from a recent low of 1.2% per annum earlier this year to the current annual pace of 8.1%.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%204.JPG" alt="">
Sydney and Northern New South Wales hinterland regions
Each of the selected hinterland areas of NSW have seen a consistent reduction in the pace of capital gains, with the Blue Mountains slipping into negative annual growth for the first time since early 2012. Dwelling value growth was stronger across the markets adjacent to the Sydney metro area over the recent growth cycle. Both the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands have seen dwelling values rise at slightly more than 9% per annum over the past five years, pushing dwelling values substantially higher relative to hinterland region of northern NSW where the average annual growth rate has been much lower at 3.9%.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%205.JPG" alt="">
 Melbourne hinterland regions 
The Yarra Ranges have substantially outpaced the Macedon Ranges based on capital gains over the past five years. Properties within the Yarra Ranges have recorded an average annual rise of 7.8% over the past five years compared with the Macedon Ranges where values have tracked 2.6% higher each year on average. Despite the strong capital gains across the Yarra Ranges, Macedon Range properties hold a $26,000 premium over Yarra Range properties based on the median value across both regions.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%206.JPG" alt="">
Hobart and Adelaide hinterland regions
While growth conditions slow down across Hobart, the Central Highlands has seen some momentum gathering with the pace of capital gains accelerating over the past year. Values were up 6.8% over the past twelve months compared with the five-year average rate of growth tracking at 5.1%. The Adelaide Hills shows far less volatility, however values are in across the hinterland region of Adelaide continue to trend higher, up 0.8% over the past twelve months, down from 2.1% annual growth a year earlier.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%207.JPG" alt="">
Perth hinterland regions 
Perth’s eastern hinterland regions have shown a similar trend the broader Perth metro region, with dwelling values generally tracking lower since 2015. The Kalamunda region has seen dwelling values fall by 15.9% since the market peak, while values have fallen even further across Mundaring, down 19.9% since the market peak. The silver lining to the downturn is that housing prices are now around the same as they were in 2006/2007.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/27/Timothy%208.JPG" alt="">
Tim Lawless is CoreLogic's head of research
</body></html>

tlawless-5VLUrbAk9s

Tree change and hinterland property markets back in vogue: Tim Lawless 

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
Infrastructure has a great connection to demand and increased dwelling prices and this is particularly the case in Sydney and Melbourne.
However, the allocation of significant funding to infrastructure upgrades in many urban and regional areas in the 2018 Federal Budget will also have a positive impact on dwelling supply.
For example, you can build houses in the west of Sydney to increase supply, and therefore affordability, and still have great access to the CBD provided the infrastructure is good.
Population growth, job creation, an improved economy and good infrastructure would draw more people to an area and therefore increase demand for property, but this then had to be backed up with an increase in dwelling supply.
The Queensland Government was taking significant steps to grow its economy, with Brisbane in the midst of a $15 billion infrastructure boom over the next few years.
And where there is an improved economy and major infrastructure projects and developments in the works, we will see significant long-term capital growth.
As a result, the local property market in Queensland was likely to prosper and the state would continue to attract a high number of interstate migrants in search of affordable housing and employment.
In regional NSW, the State Government has put in place a 20-year vision focusing on connectivity and water security to industry and community leaders in Bathurst and including the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
The goal is to promote regional development and job creation, unlocking the potential in the region by providing the infrastructure, the services and the support it needs to thrive.
It comes down to undersupply of suitable dwellings that force the prices up and makes them completely unaffordable. But that is not the case in regional NSW where house sizes and blocks are more than adequate for a growing family.
There is also an increasing trend of 'mobile professionals' who were prepared to work from home to maximise lifestyle and avoid the daily city commute.
Doron Peleg is the RiskWise Property Research CEO 
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Infrastructure is the key to housing affordability in our major cities: Doron Peleg

<html><body>
The ABC expects between $45 million and $50 million from the sale of its Ripponlea studio, in Melbourne's Elsternwick.
The 8 Gordon Street offering (pictured above) has been anticipated since the ABC moved staff to its revamped Southbank headquarters.
The ABC has already sold its nearby Selwyn Street facility to Woolworths for about $45 million.
Savills expect interest from residential and commercial developers, along with education, aged-care and healthcare operators.
The Gordon Street studios, built between 1956 and 1965, have been home to television shows including Bellbird, Power Without Glory, The Gillies Report, Kath and Kim and more recently, Mad as Hell.
The studios, closed last November, were home to the first purpose-built television studio in Victoria in with a Post-War International style building.
</body></html>

ABC Ripponlea studio listed for sale through Savills

<html><body>
<div>Moody's Investors Service says that its outlook for the Australian real estate investment trust (A-REIT) industry is stable, except for the retail segment, which faces a challenging operating environment.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The growth in operating income will remain strong, and they expect aggregate comparable net operating income growth of 3% to 4% for their 16 rated A-REITs during the next 12-18 months</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Moody's Investors Service expect the office segment will see the strongest income growth, followed by industrial and retail.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Low office vacancy rates in Sydney and Melbourne make these cities "a landlord's market."</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Moody's forecast for operating income growth of 3%-4% will be driven by low vacancy rates and strong demand on the back of favourable economic conditions.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>GPT Group, Mirvac Group and Dexus have the highest exposure in this segment and will likely record the highest growth over the next 12-18 months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Strong demand underpins solid growth in the industrial segment, and Moody's expects operating income growth of about 3%, with Sydney being the strongest market.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Dexus, Goodman Group, Mirvac, Goodman Australia Industrial Partnership and Stockland Group will be the main beneficiaries according to Moody's analysis.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Moody's Investors Service stated the retail segment is facing structural challenges on sluggish consumption and online sales growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Nevertheless, higher quality retail space remains resilient, and Moody's expects operating income growth of 2.0%-2.5%," it noted.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/26/Moodys%20chart.JPG" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Well-located shopping centers that attract a deep pool of potential tenants and are underpinned by non-discretionary spending, or that are destination hubs, will continue to perform well," they added.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Scentre Group, GPT, Mirvac and Vicinity Centres will benefit from these factors, while other centers, with a high level of discretionary spending exposure, will underperform, based on their latest data.</div>
</body></html>

Moody's suggest outlook for A-REITs is stable, but retail face challenges

<html><body>
<div>The Shakespeare Property Group has settled the $100 million purchase of the Novotel Twin Waters Resort on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from the Abacus Property Group.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>This is Shakespeare's fifth major hotel acquisition bringing their total room stock to more than 1,200 rooms, this includes two other hotels managed by AccorHotels – Pullman Cairns International and Novotel Oasis Resort Cairns.</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Located between the Maroochy River and Mudjimba Beach, the Novotel Twin Waters Resort site (pictured above) is set on a 36 hectare holding comprised of the low-rise resort with 361 hotel rooms.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Shakespeare have stated that their current aim is to improve the current facilities to position the resort as a "leading" business events venue and leisure resort in Queensland. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/26/Novotel%202.JPG" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Matt Young, Vice President of Operations for AccorHotels in Queensland and Northern Territory said that AccorHotels is proud to strengthen its business partnership with Shakespeare Group.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The $100 million purchase of the resort comes right as construction of tourism infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast has picked up including the new runway and terminal facilities being developed for Sunshine Coast Airport and two new 5-star hotels approved over the past six months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/26/Sunshine%20Coast%20Airport.JPG" alt=""></div>
</body></html>

Shakespeare Property Group has purchased the Novotel Twin Waters Resort

<html><body>
The Campbellfield Plaza shopping centre in Melbourne’s northern suburbs will be offered for sale via an Expression of Interest campaign handled by JLL’s Simon Rooney, Stuart Taylor and Tom Noonan.
The Campbellfield Plaza is only 14km from Melbournes's CBD and was first built in 1983 before being redeveloped in 2004.
The 18,000 sqm shopping centre is anchored by Coles, Kmart, Aldi and Officeworks.
The centre is added to by 19 mainly non-discretionary specialty stores and a Kmart Tyre &amp; Auto.
Positioned on Hume Highway and Mahoneys Road.
The centre provides a total land area of 5.863 hectares, coupled with a WALE of approximately 8.87 years (by area) and Net Income of approximately $4.6 million p.a.
The Campbellfield Plaza offering is provides the only 24 hour Kmart in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, in addition to primarily food &amp; grocery based tenants and 822 car parking for customers.
Head of Retail Investments, Australasia Simon Rooney added “Small sub-regional shopping centres which are largely food, service and convenience-based remain highly sought after given the limited reliance on discretionary sales”.
“Campbellfield Plaza is also unique in that it offers a higher than average majors to specialty ratio when compared to sub-regionals that have come to market in recent years.” 
"We have seen $644.0 million transact in the year to date including the recent JLL sale of Sturt Mall to SCA for $73 m, Gateway Plaza Leopold to Charter Hall for $117.0 m, Toormina Gardens to Fort Street Real Estate Capital Fund III for $83.3 m, Grand Plaza Shopping Centre (50%) to Invesco Real Estate for $215.0 m, Brandon Park Shopping Centre to Newmark Capital for $135.0 m,” he noted.
Unlisted funds and offshore investors have driven acquisitions in the retail sector since 2013, having jointly accounted for 65% of activity.
Unlisted funds have acquired $4.1 billion of sub-regional assets since the surge in activity began five years ago, followed by offshore investors at $2.5 billion and REITs at $1.7 billion over the same period.”
He suggested that, “Victoria in particular, provides sound investment fundamentals with the economy underpinned by broad-based growth driven by strong growth in household consumption, tourism, infrastructure spending and business investment.”
Mr Rooney concluded by stating, "we’re expecting strong interest in Campbellfield Plaza due to its metropolitan Melbourne location only 14km from the Melbourne CBD, and strong investment fundamentals”
</body></html>

Campbellfield Plaza shopping centre offered by JLL

<html><body>
A converted Surry Hills warehouse has been listed.
The approximately 797 square metres property at 19 Foster Street comprises circa 3,154 square metres of NLA.
The property is 100 percent let, with a WALE of 2.4 years (as at 1 September 2018).
It has dual street frontage to Foster Street and Wentworth Avenue. 
The industrial-style space was refurbished in 2013 with high ceilings, polished concrete floors and exposed brickwork.
It has been listed for sale through Knight Frank’s Jonathan Vaughan and John Bowie Wilson, with Karbon Property’s James McCourt and Joshua Watts, on behalf of Security Capital Australia. 
Vaughan said commercial properties in the area are tightly held.
“Substantial office buildings in Surry Hills are highly sought after by investors as they don’t come to market very often and we are continuing to see an increase in interest in the city fringe, with a number of groups now undertaking active city fringe buying strategies,” Vaughan said.
“Further, the asset’s favourable lease expiry profile and low rental base will provide an incoming owner the opportunity to add significant value by leveraging one of the most sought after leasing markets in the country.
“With opportunities such as these hard to come by and the asset catering to a generational shift in the occupier market, we expect the industrial-style creative space will draw significant interest from local and offshore investors.”
McCourt said the Sydney city fringe area had the lowest vacancy rate of any commercial market in Australia.
“The vacancy rate in Surry Hills has been contracting for three consecutive years as it has become the number on destination for the growing TAMI sector.
“As a result vacancy in the city fringe area was sitting at around 3% relative to 4.6% in the Sydney CBD, as at January 2018. 
“The falling vacancy rate combined with growing demand and limited supply has led to substantial growth in prime rents in recent years.
“This provides the incoming owner with the opportunity to benefit from a substantial reversionary uplift in 19 Foster Street.”
The expression of interest campaign is set to close at 4pm on Wednesday 31 October.
 
</body></html>

Converted Surry Hills warehouse office building listed

<html><body>
Retail construction specialist Mainbrace has been awarded a $9.8 million contract to deliver a new top floor modern piazza-style dining precinct at Forest Hill Chase shopping centre in Melbourne.
The interior re-purposing project, for 151 Property, involves the installation of a new play area for children, an updated parents’ room, a new glass lift, the refurbishment of existing amenities, a full services upgrade, new mall finishes, furniture and joinery, as well as the construction of 10 new food and entertainment tenancies and kiosks.
Mainbrace will coordinate the project, which involves concurrent works on three different levels, to ensure a safe environment for customers and other tenants and to minimise disruption to trade in the existing centre.
Work on the new precinct – to be known as The Loft - commenced recently.
Mainbrace will undertake structured interior re-purposing projects in live operating environments to fast-track its completion in time for Christmas 2018.
The appointment represents an important next step in Mainbrace’s growth in Victoria as the company’s eastern seaboard expansion continues.
“Forest Hill Chase is a fixture in the east Melbourne community and we’re proud to be involved in a project that will breathe new life into this much-loved regional shopping centre,” Mainbrace VICState Manager Michael Fague says.
“We are progressing numerous redevelopment and interior re-purposing projects for high profile clients in Victoria and we remain focused on leveraging our national relationships with leading retailers and centre owners to build our portfolio further.”
</body></html>

Mainbrace wins contract to create new dining precinct at Forest Hill

<html><body>
A Richmond commercial property has sold under the hammer for $9,920,000.
John Nockles and Ian Angelico of CVA in conjunction with CBRE sold the property at 157-161 Burnley Street, Richmond.
The sale reflected a yield of 2.8%.
There was bidding from six bidders in front of a crowd of about 150 people.
Situated on 1,381 square metres, the property features triple street frontage.
It came with liquor licence.
</body></html>

Burnley Street, Richmond commercial property fetches $9.92 million under the hammer

<html><body>
A freestanding retail investment at 13-17 Main Street in Beenleigh has sold at public auction for $1,787,500.
The 1,391 square metre site was purchased by a Gold Coast-based private investor at the auction following a campaign by JLL’s Andrew Havig on behalf of a local family who had owned the asset since the 1980s.
There were over 40 enquires with multiple offers prior to auction.
The prominent freestanding retail strip of seven shops with 472 square metre of net lettable area, is underpinned by a long-term anchor in Suncorp Bank, who have just signed a new five-year lease through to July 2022.
The property also holds Jobs Australia, Advanced Property Management, Sharp Cuts for Men and Far East on Main as tenants and provides 25 on-grade car parking bays onsite. 
Situated in the Logan City Council Local Government Area (LGA), 13-17 Main Street is located at the midpoint of surrounding residential, commercial and industrial precincts in the rapidly growing suburb of Beenleigh.
It had extensive frontage and exposure to Main Street.
</body></html>

Latest Investing Insights

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Investing Insights

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News