<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

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Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

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Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

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Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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

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A shopfront in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall occupied by clothing retailer Connor has been listed with expectations of between $9 million and $10 million.
The property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-sa-adelaide-502610958" target="_blank">109 Rundle Mall</a> has long been occupied by Connor Clothing Pty Ltd, which has signed a lease term until January 2022, plus renewal options.
The store earns an income of more than $550,000 per annum.
The property is being marketed by Savills Australia’s Peter Isaksson and Rino Carpinelli through an expressions of interest campaign which closes on November 30.
Isaksson said enquiry was expected from local as well as offshore buyers, particularly from Singapore and Malaysia.
“Very few of the mall’s assets have traded in the past 10 years so the sale of 109 Rundle Mall presents a rare opportunity to secure a piece of Adelaide’s history and its future,” Isaksson said.
“As a landmark asset unmatched in its location, prominence and character, and surrounded by city-defining developments, the Connor retail space generates a solid cash flow and is anticipated to continue outperforming like assets in the CBD and beyond.”
“Rundle Mall is arguably one of Australia’s busiest and most successful pedestrian retail malls, with more than 400,000 customers per week,” added Carpinelli.
“It is home to several South Australian flagship stores of many renowned Australian retailers.”
Established in 2007, Connor has grown to encompass more than 140 stores across Australia and forms part of the country’s largest menswear retail specialist, Retail Apparel Group, alongside Tarocash, Yd, Rockworth and Johnny Big.
 
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Retails investment opportunity springs up in Adelaide's Rundle Mall: Savills 

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Lendlease has lodged approval for a new precinct and office tower on George and Pitt street in the heart of Circular Quay.
The development application proposes a 55-storey premium grade office tower, Circular Quay Tower, with a mixed-use podium, retail-lined laneways and a new hospitality offering at Jacksons on George.
The proposal offers a range of public benefits with more than 45 per cent of the precinct dedicated to community infrastructure being delivered for the City of Sydney, including George Street Public Plaza, Rugby Place Public Plaza, a Public Cycle Facility, public art and a three-storey community building.
Mark Menhinnitt, managing director of urban regeneration, said the proposed design is a major win for Sydney as it looks to find new ways to reinvent spaces in the CBD.
“In collaboration with the City of Sydney and Foster + Partners, we have developed a scheme that opens the ground plane to create as much community infrastructure as possible,” he said.
“Circular Quay has long been a renowned attraction in Sydney. Our ambition for this project is to create a place that workers, visitors and the surrounding community love.
"We want to create a place that people are drawn to – from retail-lined laneways and public plazas to a landmark tower worthy of its prime location.”
World leading architect firm Foster + Partners was chosen to progress the design of the tower which could become Sydney’s tallest office building with 55 storeys and a height of up to 263 metres, with its architectural roof feature.
<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/2017/11/30/CQT.jpg" alt="">
Gerard Evenden, senior executive partner at Foster + Partners, said they had considered everything in the design – from the tower’s scale and floorplates to the amenities and technology – to provide flexibility, connection and wellbeing for tenants’ workers.
“With many levels boasting spectacular views of Sydney’s landmarks, the tower will encompass functionally flexible open space floorplates that enjoy north facing workspaces,” said Mr Evenden.
The company’s sustainable approach to architecture aligns closely with Lendlease’s sustainability principles, with the entire precinct targeting 6 Star Green Star certification and a 5 Star NABERS Energy rating.
The development application, which is subject to approval by the Central Sydney Planning Committee, is now on public exhibition. Consent has been granted for the demolition development application for the site. Early works are underway with demolition expected to start soon.
In December 2016, Lendlease confirmed Ping An Real Estate and Mitsubishi Estate Asia as development partners.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Lendlease lodges application for new Circular Quay office tower

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Cushman &amp; Wakefield have sold an industrial development site in South East Melbourne for $2.6 million.
 
 
The Rowville development at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-rowville-502588742" target="_blank">28 Enterprise Drive</a> sold to a private local developer
 as availability of industrial stock in Melbourne’s south east continues to tighten.
The 6,030 sqm corner property is a vacant site located in the city of Knox within the Rowville industrial precinct, around 27 kilometres south east of Melbourne’s CBD.
<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/2017/11/29/Aerial__Easklink%20%20Stud%20Road%20copy.jpg" alt="">
 
The site currently neighbours the Repco head office and is surrounded by other major corporate tenants such as Australia Post, Javac Pty Ltd &amp; CRL Australia.
Cushman &amp; Wakefield agents Andrew O’Connell and Jordie Cassidy managed the sale on behalf of local Rowville vendor, Matthews Australia Pty Ltd.
O’Connell, said they are pleased to have successfully completed the sale of the final block available for sale in the entire Rowville industrial precinct.
"The sale represents a record price for the City of Knox of more than $400 per sqm, with the severe shortage of developable land in Melbourne’s south east continuing to drive strong prices."
Given strengthening demand in Melbourne’s south east industrial market, Cushman &amp; Wakefield has recently launched a local office in Mount Waverley.
The new office opening is part of the continued expansion of Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s industrial agency business in Victoria that has grown substantially during 2017.
 
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Cushman & Wakefield sells Rowville development site for $2.6m

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One of the prevailing myths in residential real estate is that you should always buy in the capital cities because regional centres can’t match the big cities on capital growth.
And like most generalised commentary on Australian housing issues, it’s rubbish.
The myth is supported by research companies which specialise in trying to encapsulate an entire nation or a very large region in a single growth figure.
Here’s a recent example: dwelling values have grown 7 percent in the combined capital cities in the past 12 months, but the combined regional areas have grown 5 percent.
That’s pretty clear, right? The capital cities win again!
But, like all generalisations about Australian real estate, the figures are meaningless and essentially useless.
The 7% growth figure for capital cities doesn’t tell us anything useful, because it disguises two cities where values have fallen, two where values have grown very little, a couple with solid growth and a couple with strong growth.
And within those capital cities, there are myriad different scenarios playing out for local reasons.
So you can imagine how many disparate and diverse local market situations contribute to the huge melting pot that distils them into one small, misleading and basically pointless figure for “regional Australia”: 5% growth, according to one source.
Why do they do it? Because media laps it up and gives them lots of free publicity for this steady stream of worthless misinformation.
Much more useful is looking at individual markets – some of which blow away the myth about regional markets under-performing.
The city of Newcastle is as good an example as any. Newcastle - driven by a strong local economy and big spending on infrastructure and new development, as well as appealing prices relative to Sydney - has produced extremely strong price growth in the past two years (as we predicted at Hotspotting).
Most suburbs of the Newcastle City LGA have had double-digit growth in their median house prices in the past 12 months. Eight of those suburbs have grown more than 20 percent, including a couple above 30 percent.
The median for Waratah is up 16 percent to $555,000, Adamstown is up 23 percent to $655,000, Stockton has grown 21 percent to $690,000, Maryville 26 percent to $720,000 and Cooks Hill 32 percent to $1,085,000.
Under-pinning that growth has been massive investment in the Newcastle economy. The Hotspotting lists of projects driving the economic growth total well over $20 billion, including resources, transport infrastructure, commercial, retail and residential developments.
The only regional city in Australia that can match Newcastle for this level of investment is the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, which also tops $20 billion.
Of course, given the very high price growth that’s already occurred in Newcastle, it’s too late to get into that market at a decent price.
But there are other ways to benefit from what’s happening in Newcastle, which is part of a broader region.
The Lake Macquarie LGA, which borders Newcastle City, is also a growth market but hasn’t yet had the same level of price increases.
And heading west out into the Hunter Valley, there are numerous towns moving into growth phases but with the big price growth yet to come – such as Maitland and Cessnock.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Regional centres can match capital growth of big cities

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Interest for childcare centres continues unabated, with more properties under the asset class sold so far in 2017 than previously.
A recent analysis by commercial real estate agency Burgess Rawson of its sales over the past seven years shows 65 properties have been sold in 2017 so far, higher than previously. 
The average yield has risen to more than 5.5%, their report says.
Burgess Rawson, which has nearly three-quarters of the market share for childcare centre sales in Australia, says in a new report that average yields have fallen to 5.84% in the year to date from 7.58% since 2013. 
Burgess Rawson’s director Billy Holderhead was quoted by the Australian Property Journal as saying that unlike other property sectors where a surge in supply would normally result in an oversupply and push yields higher, childcare investment yields have declined further.
Supply increased a massive 550% between 2013 and 2014, yet yields compressed further by 10% from 7.58% to 6.89%.
“The sales history shows that despite increased supply, compression yields and greater price volumes continued. Therefore equilibrium, where demand is met, in our opinion has not been reached,” he said in the article carried on Burgess Rawson’s website.
“We see this trajectory continuing into the foreseeable future.”
Even the collapse of ABC Learning Centres has not dented the popularity of childcare centres, with 96% of all ABC centres now assigned to Goodstart, a consortium of The Benevolent Society, Mission Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Social Ventures Australia.
Burgess Rawson’s associate director Adam Thomas said childcare centres truly are one of the few remaining “set and forget’’ property investments, with strong similarities to supermarkets in a previous era when leases were more favourable to landlords.
“This shows the core fundamentals are there,” he added.
In the last five years, rents have surged too. Rents range from $1,500 and $6,000 per childcare place, per year, with metropolitan centres sold this year averaging $3,000 per place, according to Burgess Rawson.
Five years back, the metro range was nearly $2,000 and has now climbed to the high $3,000’s.
Earlier this year, a record low yield was set at an auction in Sydney when a 36-place G8 Childcare centre property (picture above) in Vaucluse sold for $4.425 million on a yield of 3.57%.
Another research by Ray White, Between The Lines: WA Child Care, says the child care market as an income producing asset class has grown in appeal across the East Coast for the two years with a push into the Western Australian market has heated up during the second half of 2017.
“It says high supply over the last five years in the East Coast was realised due to the large increases in population and the undersupply of facilities, in more recent times its heavily subsidised income stream has not gone unnoticed by savvy investors,” it says.
The prospects for childcare centres looks secure with the federal government projected to spend $8.8 billion in 2018/19 and as much as $10 billion by 2020, according to Burgess Rawson childcare specialist Michael Vanstone.
The government predicts this investment will return 90,000 parents back to the workforce, which will add $3.1 billion to the economy, adds the Burgess Rawson report.
The Ray White report, which focuses on WA, says the market there is still in its supply phase with a high volume of stock recently entering the market and a pipeline in the works.
Researchers Vanessa Vader and Stephen Harrison say the demand for childcare centres is high as investors can see the value and attractive yields still on offer. Added to that is the ease of funding for child care assets.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Childcare centres one of the few remaining 'set and forget' investments: Burgess Rawson

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Dark Horse an equestrian-inspired vineyard, with a luxe cellar door along with a well regarded wine brand, has been listed for sale at Lovedale.
The 25 acre Hunter Valley wine country offering is an <a href="http://jurds.com.au/listings/rural_sale-1292884-lovedale/" target="_blank">award-winning boutique vineyard</a> with around 7.5 acres under vine with Semillon and Chardonnay, which were first planted in the 1960's.
The wines are small batch and hand-picked.
An American-style barn - the Dark Horse cellar door - comes set behind the estate's Wilderness Road sandstone gates amid post and rail fencing.
<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/2017/11/29/Dark%20Horse%202.jpg" alt="">
Vendors Martin and Olivia Pukanic combined their love for wine and horses since their 2014 purchase.
James Halliday had included the property in 2011 as one of his top ten "darkhorse wineries" under its previous name Noonji Estate when owned by Drew Gibson.
The couple had plans for barnstyle accomodation with private pools. The low-yielding and high quality grapes that produce arounds 1300 bottles a year is being sold on a walk in walk out basis by Cain Beckett at Jurds. The price guidance is $1.5 million to $1.6 million.
There are tax advantages to owning a winery with recent changes likely to give smaller local operators a competitive boost against larger wine producers.
Last year the total vineyard area in Australia was tallied at over 135,000 hectares. Shiraz totalled 30 percent, while Chardonnay was the largest white with 16 percent.
The total winegrape crush was 1.8 million tonnes, of which South Australian regions accounted just over 50 percent.
 
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Dark Horse equestrian-inspired vineyard for sale in the Hunter Valley

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The Melbourne Luxury Hotel market is out-performing virtually all other markets in Australia, driven by record international and domestic tourist numbers, with significant further domestic and international inbound growth forecast, according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA).
Melbourne developer Argo Group has appointed Savills to market the turnkey opportunity of a brand new 93-room lifestyle hotel situated at 230 Toorak Road, South Yarra, one of Melbourne’s oldest and most affluent inner-city suburbs.
The listing comes with approved planning permit, with opening of the hotel proposed for mid-2019.
The Hotel is ideally positioned in the heart of the bustling suburb of South Yarra, on Toorak Road, at its intersection with the famous retail and leisure district of Chapel Street.
Designed by award-winning architects Woods Bagot, the lifestyle hotel will comprise 93 hotel rooms ranging in size from 26 sqm to 32 sqm across ground and six levels, as well as a signature ground floor bar and restaurant.
Delivery of the Hotel will be overseen by experienced project managers Construction Assignments, who have overseen numerous leading hotel projects across Australia, with leading Melbourne based construction firm Hickory being retained to build the hotel.
Michael Simpson and Tom Shadbolt of Savills Australia are marketing the property. They said this is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a highly coveted freehold title to a new lifestyle hotel that will outshine its rivals in design, technological advancement and customer experience.
“Melbourne has been independently voted as the world’s most liveable city for seven consecutive years," Simpson said.
"Combine this with a global reputation for design, fine dining, retail and leisure and the city has propelled itself to a ‘must-go’ destination for international travellers.
“Argo Group is offering to market an exclusive opportunity to gain exposure to Australia’s most desirable, most tightly held and most coveted hotel market, and the flexibility to appoint a preferred hotel operator with control over branding, market positioning and management terms.
“The design-led boutique Hotel will immediately appeal to discerning customers seeking high quality accommodation in the lively South Yarra district” Simpson concluded.
Savills have released their quarterly update on the hotel market. It can be <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/publications-pdf/savills-hotels-quarterly-update-september-2017.pdf?utm_source=PropertyObserver&amp;utm_medium=DigitalAdvert&amp;utm_campaign=CPOeNewsletterBanner-HotelsUpdate-22Nov2017&amp;utm_source=Property+Observer+List&amp;utm_campaign=3fe0087e5e-Commercial_Property_15_November_2017&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_a523fbfccb-3fe0087e5e-245386345" target="_blank">found here.</a>
 
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Melbourne Luxury Hotel market is out-performing virtually all other markets in Australia

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The Surry Hills office of Uber Eats has been sold by the former Wallaby David Lyons.
The Victorian terrace at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-nsw-surry+hills-502100154" target="_blank">98 Foveaux Street</a> is a mixed-use office space.
It changed hands for $3.525 million. It had been bought for $1 million in 2011 with Lyons buying out his syndicate parter in 2016 at $861,000.
The sandstone Victorian terrace has potential for a home/office/showroom.
Nestled between Riley and Crown Street, the property comprises open plan living with options for gallery/office featuring terrazzo tiled floors.
The third level features front and huge rear outdoor terrace areas with potential to extend and enclose subject to council approval.
The zoning is B4 Mixed Use, allowing an array of usage rights.
<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/2017/11/27/UberEats2.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
It is on a land area of 180 sqm. 
The selling agent was Dominic D'Ettorre of D'Ettorre Real Estate.
 
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Uber Eats HQ sold in Surry Hills

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Investa have completed the $8 million foyer refurbishment of one of their Sydney office buildings.
The new and improved foyer at 201 Kent Street was designed by Architectus and features a new cafe on the ground floor.
There are further plans for a potential new co-working space for tenants and guests.
While still in the planning phase, it is envisioned it will provide a range of different spaces to accommodate both collaborative and focused work, for individuals and teams, including event and meeting room space and a shared kitchen and break-out facilities.
Architectus associate Nigel Justins said it was important to create a lobby space that was both befitting of the building and in line with contemporary thinking on how a modern day office lobby should function
"By exploiting the inherent spatial qualities that had been largely concealed by the original fit out, it’s been possible to create such a space, utilising every opportunity to open up the lobby, connect it to its surroundings and allow it to become an active space," he said.
 <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/2017/11/29/201%20Kent%20St%20Sydney%203%20copy.jpg" alt="">
Greater connectivity was achieved by extending the foyer further west, to take in views of the Grafton Bond building and Barangaroo beyond, with a new cafe providing activation and amenity for tenants. On Kent Street, the podium was extended, with the old façade replaced with contemporary, high performance structural glazing to enhance natural light into the space.
To provide greater visibility of the lobby from the street, a 5-metre-high celling void was opened up to significantly raise the height of the space. High-end, contemporary finishes such as travertine, granite and American oak are used throughout.
<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/2017/11/29/201%20Kent%20St%20Sydney%204%20copy.jpg" alt="">
The building is owned by Investa's flagship wholesale fund Investa Commercial Property Fund (ICPF).
Fund manager at ICDF Jason Leong said the owners recognised an opportunity to create value in the building by upgrading the street presence and ground plane, within the context of its wider surroundings, while activating the foyer with a new café and plans for a new co-working space.
"From the outset, our vision was to create a more connected, visible space, where both tenants and visitors could gather to meet and collaborate and I think we have exceeded expectations in this regard," Leong said.
201 Kent Street has a full-time concierge, a day spa and a range of time-saving services that tenants can access through Investa’s INSITE tenant portal, including dry cleaning, on-site car cleaning, bike repairs, catering and airport transfers. The 39,853m2 building accommodates a range of leading global companies, including AON, Arup and Crown Resorts.
 
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201 Kent Street refurb delivers revitalised Sydney office address  

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The Australian Institute of Architects has questioned the recent announcement by the NSW Government to demolish the Sydney Football Stadium at Moore Park and the Olympic Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park to make way for new stadiums with similar spectator capacities.
‘The Sydney Football Stadium is barely 30 years old, while the Olympic Stadium is less than 20 years old,’ NSW Chapter President Andrew Nimmo said today.
‘When our major public buildings don’t last thirty years, we have a real problem. These are places where some of the greatest memories of modern Sydney were made, places where Sydney was elevated to the world stage.
‘To demolish, rather than refurbish, seems like an extraordinary waste.
‘These stadiums are buildings that should live for at least 50 to 100 years. We are doing something wrong as a society if we apply a throwaway mentality to assets that are still so relatively young.
‘It is not unreasonable to expect that it is time that both stadiums undergo significant upgrades to keep them commercially viable in the competitive world of major sporting events.
‘However, best practice, environmentally sustainable development will acknowledge the embodied energy contained in each of these structures - not only the metal, the concrete, the human hours of toil, but also the embodied memory that is locked up in each of these stadiums. All of this needs to be taken into account when considering the business case.
‘Great cities are made up of many layers of built fabric. We cannot wipe the slate of history clean every 20 years. The loss of these buildings would be like losing a major landmark from the horizon.’
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