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

Joel Robinson

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

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

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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An online tool, Landchecker, that promises to do all the due diligence for property buyers saving them precious time, was launched this month. 
Launched earlier in September by founders of Melbourne architecture agency Ewert Leaf and property developer Moda Corp, <a href="https://www.landchecker.com.au" target="_blank">Landchecker</a> collects all relevant information about a property so people can easily perform due diligence before they invest and also keep property records up-to-date. 
“People are often unaware of the planning controls that affect their home so this tool enables them to quickly check their land for any underlying constraints or opportunities,” Landchecker founder and Ewert Leaf co-director Will Leaf said. The tool took 18 months to develop.
“As architects and developers, we found we were assessing data through several different websites which became time consuming and frustrating. Landchecker aggregates this information on a single platform.” 
For a given address, Landchecker will prepare a property report and the relevant planning controls, such as zones, overlays, schools, bushfire and flood-prone areas and places of cultural sensitivity. It costs $5.99.
The founding team includes Toby Ewert, Ed Farquharson, technical partner Simon Holland, chief technical officer Tim Asquith and general manager Jim Leaf.
<img src="/images/2016/09/13/Landchecker.jpg" alt="">
“Homebuyers often don’t understand where to find this information and currently it is found through several different websites,” Leaf said. “We are helping people to access it quickly in a user-friendly, legible manner.” 
“Landchecker will ensure people are better prepared when they meet with agents or legal representatives because they will be able to ask the right questions – for example, what impact does this heritage overlay have on the value of this property or its potential for redevelopment?’” he said. 
A property professional or investor can access a real-time map and also get permit data, which will also show applications pending and approved. 
Leaf said Landchecker could change the parameters of transparency in property.
“In a society where transparency is becoming a critical part of business, we think it will become popular with financial institutions and mortgage brokers as a means of creating loyalty with customers. Would you bank with someone who didn’t tell you that your house was in a flooding overlay if they had the capacity to do so?”
 
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Want to save time on property buying? Log onto Landchecker

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Perth's leasing market is tight, with tenants seeking lower costs and space with “capacity provision” for earnings upside, according to property experts at Raine &amp; Horne. 
Anthony Vulinovich, director at Raine &amp; Horne Commercial WA, recently told the West Australian that the Perth leasing market "was tight".
He cited the example of the former Gliderol Garage Doors facility at <a href="https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/properties/48-luisini-road-wangara-6065-western-australia-3c2e9351-253e-4b22-9ea7-838630c2850f">48 Luisini Road, Wangara</a>, built in 2013.
It is a 3,337 square metre building on a 7,200 square metre site. It has a two-level office and a large factory.
“The acquisition (of Gliderol by DuluxGroup) has left a large vacancy and created a bargain sublease opportunity on a freestanding office-warehouse facility, asking overall just $75/sqm plus outgoings plus GST,” said Anthony.
The sublease would run until 2020.
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Tight leasing market creating opportunities in Perth: Raine & Horne

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A ground floor shopfront in the heart of Seaforth village just north of Sydney is available for commercial investing with expectations of at least $825,000.
The shopfront at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/nsw/seaforth/1513085/?lang=en">1/51 Ethel St</a> sits within a boutique block of luxury apartments enjoying good exposure. 
Home to a hair salon, rental earnings from the shop are $1,000 pw. 
According to the description by listing agent Mark Griffiths of Ray White, the shopfront sports a sleek fit-out, has two kitchenette areas, designer lighting, feature walls, storage areas, a/c and car park. 
Taxes include strata levies of $965 per quarter, water $171 per quarter, Council rates $258 per quarter and electricity $600 per quarter.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Shopfront in NSW's Seaforth up for sale below $1 million 

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Over the week ending 2 September, there were 28 commercial auctions held with half of all reported results selling.
On a week on week basis, auction activity is lower, with 35 auctions held over the previous week and activity is also lower than at time last year when 51 auctions were held, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
In addition to the lower volumes, the preliminary clearance rate of 50.0 percent is also down from the previous week (71.4 percent) and lower than the 76.5 percent one year ago. 
Over the past four weeks there have been 156 commercial auctions reported, with 96 sales. The total value of transactions, based on the 64 results that were reported with a sale price, sits just below $123.44 million.
<a href="/images/2016/09/09/Commauctions.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/09/09/Commauctions.png" alt="">
The table below indicates National Auction Clearance Rate figures.
<a href="/images/2016/09/09/ClearanceRates.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/09/09/ClearanceRates.png" alt="">
 
 
 
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Commercial auctions fell for week ending Sept 2: CoreLogic

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One of Melbourne’s best performing hotels, the Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, is set to be offered for sale in one of Australia’s strongest accommodation markets. 
The hotel comprises 200 upscale rooms, a bar and restaurant, meeting space, gym, indoor pool and parking for nearly 100 cars. It is currently leased to Accor Asia Pacific under a triple net lease expiring in July 2018.
It will be sold through an expressions of interest closing October 18. Colliers International’s Gus Moors, Guy Wells and Neil Scanlan have been appointed to sell the hotel.
“The Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley is widely regarded as one of Melbourne’s strongest performing metropolitan hotels due to its ability to capitalise on the broad-based activity within the City of Monash, which is the second largest employment region in Melbourne, after the CBD,” Moors said. 
“This sale presents an opportunity to secure a strategic position in the tightly held Melbourne hotel market with an asset offering an enviable track record of strong, stable returns plus the attraction of reversionary upside post expiry of the current lease.”
Wells added that “as the only internationally branded, upscale hotel east of the CBD and St Kilda," the Novotel hotel has an edge over its competitors.  
“Melbourne’s hotel market is one of the strongest in the country, with solid, consistent occupancy and rates that are growing materially.”
The capital city recorded 71.4 million visitor nights during 2014/15, an increase of 13.9 percent. According to Tourism Research Australia, visitor nights are anticipated to grow a further 8.1 percent across 2015/16. 
“The strength of the Melbourne hotel market creates opportunities for metropolitan hotels like Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, as they benefit from guest demand that is displaced from the CBD,” Wells said.
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Novotel hotel in Melbourne comes to the market

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The latest research from Brisbane South Cityscope shows property sale numbers have remained level over the last three months.
The last three months to the end of August 2016 recorded 13 sales for a total of over $90.1 million; with $77.8 million for commercial, $1.1 million for commercial strata, $3.2 million retail strata and $8 million for other.
In comparison, the three months to the end of May 2016 recorded 13 sales for a total of over $44.6 million; with $21.5 million for commercial, $900,000 for commercial strata, $2.4 million retail, $1.3 million for retail strata and $18.5 million for other. 
The 12 months leading up to the end of August 2016 recorded 48 sales for a total of over $320 million, over $189.5 million lower than the recorded figure for the same time period the year before.
The table below shows sales recorded for the past eight updates of Brisbane South Cityscope:
<a href="/images/2016/09/09/CoreLogicBrisbane.png" target="_blank"> Click to enlarge</a><img src="/images/2016/09/09/CoreLogicBrisbane.png" alt="">
The top three most significant sales, all in South Brisbane, recorded this quarter together totalled over $78 million.
<ul>
<li>The Precinct 2, 10 Browning Street, a four-storey building which includes The Melbourne Hotel on the ground floor and three levels of offices above. Armada South Brisbane Office Fund sold the building for $65.5 million to Forza Browning Street Fund. The sale represented an initial yield of 8% on passing income of around $5.24 million. Bruce Baker and Flint Davidson of CBRE Brisbane negotiated the sale.</li>
<li>138 Montague Road, a large single-storey warehouse with around 30 car parks. Bought for $8 million by The MWX Properties Pty Ltd as trustee for The MWX Properties Trust.</li>
<li>10 Cordelia Street, a two-storey commercial building with car parking for 17 vehicles. Sold for $5 million to 10 Cordelia Property Trust No. 1 and 10 Cordelia Property Trust No. 2.</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2016/09/09/Brisbaneqtrsales.png" alt="">
Properties listed for sale include:
<ul>
<li>105 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane. Merivale Flats, a three-storey residential building with a retail unit on the ground floor. For sale as a tenanted investment, with an auction pending (auction date to be advised); agent, Property Inc (Leon Iconomidis and Michael Kazoullis).</li>
<li>427 Montague Road, West End. A two-level office building and a single-storey warehouse. For sale by expressions of interest, closing September 1, 2016; agent, CBRE (Callum Short and Peter Court).</li>
<li>26-28 Thomas Street, West End. Two, single-storey, raised, weatherboard houses which are used commercially. For sale with an asking price of $1.48 million; agent, First National Commercial (Hiep Nguyen).</li>
</ul>
Currently under contract:
<ul>
<li>Unit 11, West End Central, 200 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane. A 96 sqm restaurant with a 46 sqm outdoor area. Under conditional contract; agent, JPM Commercial (Justin Mollard and Chris McDonald).</li>
</ul>
Cityscope covers 28 predominantly capital city CBD markets across Australia and New Zealand.
 
 
 
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Commercial property sales in Brisbane steady in quarter to August: Cityscope

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TH Real Estate has agreed to purchase a one-third interest in the Myer Melbourne store in Bourke Street Mall for $151.3 million on behalf of TIAA.
The sale was negotiated off-market by JLL’s Simon Rooney on behalf of Myer family Investments.
The building is under 40,000 square metres over nine floors with 61.40 metre frontage to Bourke Street Mall. It has operated as a department store since 1914.
JLL’s Head of Retail Investments – Australasia, Simon Rooney said the sale of Myer Melbourne continues the trend of very significant yield compression for core CBD assets, with the transaction recording a yield of just over 4.50 percent. 
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$151.3 million stake purchased in Myer Melbourne on Bourke Street Mall

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It may be the biggest mistake property investors make: once they have bought something, they stop researching.
There’s a common mentality among real estate consumers that the need to stay informed disappears once you’ve fulfilled your buying criteria.
Prior to purchase, some (not all) will spend some time and/or money on research and advice. But they won’t make the same effort, or any effort, to stay informed beyond acquisition. 
I recently hosted a webinar in which Melbourne buyers’ agent and author Miriam Sandkuhler was the guest presenter. One of the key points she impressed upon her audience was the importance of a regular review of your property portfolio and your overall goals and strategies.
Most Australians don’t do that. Set and forget seems to be the overriding philosophy. And many with that approach get caught in bad situations.
Hotspotting receives a lot of distress calls from investors who bought in locations where property values have fallen subsequently.
Sometimes they’ve bought in locations that were never going to perform. But often they’ve bought in an area that delivers growth initially, until something fundamental changes. That causes a downturn in the market – but investor owners often find out too late.
Queensland boom-bust industrial city Gladstone provides a case study. Five or six years ago, this looked like a good place to invest, with three gas projects worth a combined $60 billion (bringing tens of thousands of jobs) poised to start construction. And, for a couple of years, that promise was borne out by results. Rents and prices rose strongly.
But then big changes occurred in that market. One was that developers had flocked in large numbers to that market and too much new product was being built. The problem was exacerbated by the second fundamental shift, which was the decision by the resources companies to use primarily FIFO workforces with personnel staying in temporary accommodation camps, rather than buying or renting local dwellings.
We wrote extensively about the shift in that market and the likely consequences. The message was: stay out of that market – or, if you already own there, now might be a good time to sell before the market drops.
But many of those who had already bought in Gladstone had tuned out. They no longer had their finger on the pulse. By the time many owners realised the tide had turned against them, it was too late to sell without taking a loss.
Anyone who bought in coal-mining town Moranbah in the early part of the century would have enjoyed a decade of the most spectacular capital growth in Australian history. If they’d sold at any point before 2013, they would have made lots of money.
Then the market turned for reasons that are similar to those for Gladstone, with the added element of the big downturn in coal prices. What followed by the polar opposite of the previous spectacular growth. 
Similar, though less dramatic, scenarios are being played out regularly in markets around Australia. Two or three years ago the middle-market suburbs on Brisbane’s northside were market leaders for sales activity and price growth. Small to medium sized developers saw an opportunity and suddenly these areas are awash with development of new units and townhouses. Vacancies have risen to unacceptable levels in some suburbs. 
If you bought something in that precinct two years ago and then focused on other things, you’re probably not aware of the change in the market.
The message again and again is: you can’t stop the research process just because you’ve filled your current buying criteria. You need to stay up to date. And you need to conduct that regular review of your investment situation suggested by Miriam Sandkuhler.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Property price slides in mining towns Gladstone, Moranbah playing out around Australia

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SQM Research reported that listing numbers declined across every capital city in August, and August listings nationally down by 4.3 percent from the prior year.  
<div>This is not unusual for August according to SQM, so we may see a rebound in September. </div>
<a href="/images/2016/09/08/SQM1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/09/08/SQM1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the past year Hobart has been the one significantly tightening market with listings down by 7 per cent in August to be 10.7 per cent lower than one year ago. </div>
<a href="/images/2016/09/08/SQM2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/09/08/SQM2.jpg" alt=""></div>
 Darwin listings seem to have stabilised, while this was a better result for Perth, though median asking prices are lower than one year ago in both of these resources capital cities.  
<div>In Sydney total listings are 12.3 percent higher than one year ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>According to SQM's managing director, Sydney's inner ring has seen record year-on-year declines in listings, but outer suburban and older stock is not shifting leading to the annual increase in total listings. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>There has been much talk of an apartment corrections in the largest capital, but to date median asking prices are higher over the year in both Sydney (+5.2 percent) and Melbourne (+5.2 percent). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>. 
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
</div>
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Listings decline across the board: Pete Wargent

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The onset of spring has brought good news for commercial property in Australia, with record low interest rates driving significant interest in the sector, according to property firm Raine &amp; Horne.
The Spring 2016 issue of Raine &amp; Horne Commercial Insights says a trifecta of factors –  low interest rates, a supportive federal government and lacklustre returns on many other investment classes – is proving to be a boon for commercial property. 
“Today’s low interest rates make now the ideal time to review commercial portfolios and add new assets,” said Angus Raine, executive chairman, Raine &amp; Horne Commercial.
“Small business owners are well-placed to take advantage of the current favourable market to step into their own premises, or upgrade business premises, and strengthen their enterprise’s asset base.”
In Sydney, vacancy rates are approaching 5 percent in North Sydney as commercial properties are increasingly redeveloped for residential housing. The Northern Beaches is also experiencing exceptionally low vacancy rates, it says.
“Yields of 5-7 percent are achievable on the Northern Beaches, and the construction of Dee Why town centre will further cement Dee Why as a true commercial hub,” said Raine.
The western suburb of Parramatta is experiencing near-zero vacancy rates on prime office space as blue-chip government tenants including the NSW Department of Education move into the area. 
“We’re seeing yields are as high as 7.5 percent on Parramatta office space,” said Raine.
In Penrith, the announcement that Badgerys Creek will be the site of Sydney’s second international airport is seeing a rise in land values. 
In the Macarthur (Campbelltown) area, Raine said  “The commercial market is being driven by owner occupiers, who are taking advantage of low interest rates to move into their own premises. In the sub-$5 million market there simply aren’t enough properties to meet demand.”
In the Hunter, Newcastle vacancy rates for office and retail space, especially in the smaller size ranges, have tightened dramatically as the city’s microbusinesses take their first growth steps.
“Auction is the preferred sale method for the Newcastle market right now, and around 50 percent of commercial properties in the sub-$2 million price range are selling to investors prior to auction,” said Raine. 
In Brisbane, demand from self-managed super funds (SMSFs) is driving up prices for commercial assets in the city’s north. 
“There is a lack of quality secure industrial and retail property investment opportunities, with demand from SMSFs ten-fold stronger than supply. Securely leased investments priced between $2 million-$5 million are attracting 70-100 enquiries during the course of a sales campaign, and can sell on yields of 5.5-7.5%,” said Raine.
The commercial market is also showing robust growth across many other parts of Australia. 
In Adelaide, the Torrens Road to River Torrens South Road Upgrade Project has increasing prospects for commercial property by improving transit flows, and in Melbourne, vacancy rates remain minimal with yields in the order of 5.0-7.0 percent across the city.
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