<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 office suite in Logan City's Loganholme in Queensland is being offered for lease by Raine &amp; Horne.
The <a href="https://www.rhcommercial.com.au/properties/9-3986-pacific-highway-loganholme-4129-queensland" target="_blank">9/3986 Pacific Highway</a> office complex comes for an annual lease of $28,325 plus GST and outgoings.
The building area is 103 sqm and there are two separate offices with reception and boardroom, kitchenette and parking.
The property is close to M1 and Logan Motorways. 
According to Raine &amp; Horne, the owner is keen to lease the property for a 3-5 year deal. 
The listing agent is Mark Osmond.
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Loganholme office suites on lease

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Melbourne CBD core shop vacancies have fallen, a fifth year of decline, and are expected to remain low on the back of more spending, population growth, tourism and the influx of high street global fashion brands.
The CBD core market has just 29 shop vacancies, down from 64 in March 2011 when the vacancy rate reached a post-GFC high of 6 percent, according to Savills Australia’s latest retail research. This marks the fifth consecutive year of declining vacancy despite the addition of several new CBD retail centres.
The vacancy rate also declined over the last 12 months to 2.6 percent from 3.8 percent. 
The figures are supported by a growth in retail trade in Victoria of 5.01 percent year on year in January – the national average was 4.26 per cent - a marginal rise in consumer confidence and continued state population growth including CBD residential population and workforce.
Survey author and Savills’ Victorian research manager Monica Mondkar said there were a number of factors at play which would sustain a tight market in the coming years.
"This is a positive result reflecting the growth in retail trade in the CBD which has been driven by a number of new and refurbished retail precincts and the continuation of the influx of high profile global brands," she said.
Those developments have arguably accounted for a significant part of the increase in spending, attracting thousands of new shoppers to the CBD while growth in both the office and residential population, as well as tourism, has also been significant, she added.
"With the resident population alone expected to grow by 14 percent by 2020 we are going to see the vacancy rate remain low over the medium term." 
The tenancy mix continued to show a rise in the number of food &amp; beverage and hospitality stores, including supermarkets and liquor stores, as well as services and fashion, with the latter growing due to the attraction of shoppers to international brands.
Savills Victorian director, Retail Services, Michael Di Carlo, said the growth in international fashion brands, which saw its peak about three years ago, had continued at a much slower pace which had to a degree stabilised rents and allowed local retailers greater opportunities.
"The growth of international brands has been the story, and to a degree remains the story, but it is now more about the market having plateaued and that opportunities, which had been in a sense denied to local retailers due partly to landlord’s expectations about rents that international brands would pay, have now opened up," he said.
"That is not to say that the international brands influx is off the boil, indeed there remains significant interest in Melbourne including from the likes of Marks &amp; Spencer and Debenhams, who are still in the hunt for space here.’’ 
He said while international brands had attracted shoppers from all over Melbourne it had been the increase in CBD and surrounds residential and workforce population that had driven the rise in food &amp; beverage and services retailing.
"This is a demographic change that reflects what you might call a cultural shift with Melburnians, once wedded firmly to the suburban quarter acre block, now showing a definite penchant for inner-city apartments," he aded.
"That’s a development which is here to stay and that will continue to be a key driver in the make-up of CBD retail. At the same time Melbourne remains the fashion capital and is also firmly on the radar with tourist shoppers and those factors will also drive the CBD market for the foreseeable future.’’ 
The survey found little movement in rents which now range between $1,500 a square metre, for CBD shopping centre space, to circa $11,000 a square metre for prime space on Bourke Street Mall.
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Melbourne CBD retail vacancies tighten: Savills

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<div>Data from the Urban Development Institurte of Australia (UDIA) revaled that median lot prices in Sydney have increased by +49.4 percent in only the past three years. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The increase in 2015 alone was $100,975 or +22.9 percent. to $440,725.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/03/9/UDIA.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/03/9/UDIA.jpg" alt=""></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>.
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Sydney land prices up 50 percent in 3 years: Pete Wargent

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According to CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher, currently private sector housing credit stands at $1.536 trillion; a 7.3% year-on-year increase to January 2016. Mr Kusher said.
 “Housing credit has done nothing but expand over the period shown (refer adjacent graphs).” 
Mr Kusher makes note of the fact that historically, credit is expanding at a slow annualised pace. “Of course this is a function of the fact that with low interest rates households are paying back credit faster as well as the value of outstanding credit is so much higher than in the past. Housing credit has been expanding at annual rate of between 7.0% and 7.5% for the past 15 months,” he says. 
Click to enlarge
<img src="/images/2016/03/3/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-03%20at%2012.24.21%20PM.png" alt="">
Since January 1991, housing credit data has been split between houses and units with investor housing credit typically increasing at a faster pace than owner occupier credit. Over the past year investor housing credit increased by 7.9% which is its slowest annual pace of growth since February 2014; well down on the recent peak rate of growth of 11.0%pa.
Meanwhile, owner occupier credit growth is recorded at 6.9%pa which is its fastest annual rate of growth since October 2010. Between 1991 and 2015, investor housing credit has increased from 16.0% of total housing credit to 35.8%, highlighting how popular housing investment has become since the early 1990’s. 
Mr Kusher said, “Late in 2014 the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) provided guidelines to lenders that annual investor housing credit should not expand by more than 10%pa. These changes were largely implemented from the middle of last year. Given this it would seem there is some scope for lenders to ease their policies on investment lending and lift the level of lending for investment purposes given credit growth is now well below 10% per annum.” 
The latest housing finance data to December 2015 (which tracks the value of new lending) shows that following a large fall over the second half of 2015, investor lending has started to pick-up a little. Meanwhile the value of housing loans to owner occupier has continued to trend higher. 
Mr Kusher said, “Given the tentative signs of a pick-up in investor demand in the housing finance data, investor housing credit growth now well below 10%pa and home values still rising, why wouldn’t investor demand ramp back up?” 
Mr Kusher cites several reasons why investor demand may not rebound and starts with investors. 
“This group is now facing not only higher mortgage rates due to the out of cycle lift in mortgages rates by lenders last year but they are also experiencing an average of 30 basis points higher mortgage rates because they are an investor (due to the higher capital requirements for investment loans implemented by APRA in 2015). Secondly, he notes that the home value growth phase in Sydney and Melbourne is now very mature having run for almost 4 years, perhaps there is some concern as to how much longer it can run.” 
<a href="/images/2016/03/3/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-03%20at%2012.25.14%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/3/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-03%20at%2012.25.14%20PM.png" alt="">
“Elsewhere value growth is and has been moderate with values falling in Perth and Darwin. With potential concerns of a slowing of value growth, rental yields are virtually at historic lows with rental rates unchanged over the year with each acting as a potential disincentive. Alternatively, investors may still be attracted to housing because total returns are still substantially higher than all other asset classes. 
“The Federal Opposition has signalled changes to negative gearing rules and it is unclear as to how investors will react to the policy should Labor be elected. Arguably the proposed changes to negative gearing may bring forward investment purchases due the grandfathering provision included in the Labor policy; but there is also the argument that the uncertainty in taxation policy relating to housing may act as a disincentive to prospective investors. There is still significant mortgage market competition so despite the recent increases in mortgage rates if borrowers are prepared to shop around they can still get extremely competitive home loan rates.” 
“We anticipate that from here there may be a bit of a pick-up in investment borrowing largely because mortgage rates remain low and housing returns are much stronger than most other asset classes. Although a pick-up in investment activity is a possibility, it is unlikely that the annual rate of housing credit growth will return to or breach its 10% pa limit,” Mr Kusher said.
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Will investor housing demand pick-up again? Cameron Kusher

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The stunning success of the land release of rural residential lots on Bowral's historic Retford Park estate, has ensured the longtime home of James Fairfax can be preserved in perpetuity for community access.
Some 71 of the 79 lots offered since the November launch have been snapped, with the upcoming lots priced between $365,000 and $810,000 through Nigel Napoli of <a href="https://retfordparkestate.com" target="_blank">Savills Residential Projects.</a>
The housing lots of Retford Park Estate sits either side of historic Retford Park house, the home of James Fairfax, the former chairman of the now ailing publishing company that bears his family name.
Buyers have come looking for a tree-change, especially from the Illawarra region and Sutherland Shire, Nigel Napoli said.
With land sizes from 1000 sqm to 4.8 hectares, there are set be another 81 building block released over the next six months on the outskirts of Bowral.
The 1880s Italianate residence that is well hidden amid the extensive gardens was bought by James Fairfax in 1964 for £15,000.
James Fairfax set about decorating Retford Park House with advice from designer Leslie Walford with the garden undertaken by English landscape architect John Codrington.
The pool, pool pavilion and aviaries were designed by Melbourne architect Guilford Bell. Over the years, architect Espie Dods added architecturally sympathetic extensions to the home. 
The Retford Park homestead will be preserved in perpetuity for the community with some funds from the neighbouring residential development being directed into a trust which will pay for the long-term upkeep of the home and gardens, the project director Allen Robinson advised.
Philanthropic James Fairfax had envisaged the concept for the past four decades.
"I think Retford Park is an important part of the heritage of the Wingecarribee Shire area and provision has been made in my will for the house and the immediate surrounding land, including the garden, to be left in trust to be viewed by future generations," Mr Fairfax told me in 2009. 
Listed on the register of the national estate since 1980, Retford Park was built as a summer retreat for the Hordern retailing family. It takes its name from the village in Nottinghamshire, the northern England town from where Anthony and Ann Hordern immigrated in 1825.
The grounds have many heritage oaks, an enduring association with the Hordern's retailing business, whose emblem was an oak tree under which were the words "While I live, I'll grow".
<a href="https://sydneyaerialphotography.com" target="_blank">Photo credits go to Tim Mooney</a>.
 
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Retford Park rural residential lots underpinning the Bowral heritage estate's future

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<h3 class="post-title entry-title">GUEST OBSERVER</h3>
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<div id="post-body-5220327253665162227" class="post-body entry-content">
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Headline immigration slows 
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<div>The January <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3401.0Main+Features1Jan%202016?OpenDocument" target="_blank">Overseas Arrivals &amp; Departures</a> figures revealed that permanent immigration into Australia continued to slow into the beginning of 2016, with a net +268,400 permanent and long term arrivals now tracking more than a third below the peak.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were some 13,610 permanent departures in January, the highest on record, although ABS research shows that most "permanent" departures actually return to our shores within a year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nllm0CzUbOg/VtzVN9aLYzI/AAAAAAAAbsQ/j5EQ-HSsAYY/s640/ARR1.jpg" width="640" height="350"></div>
 <div>The composition of immigrants continues to shift away from New Zealanders and Britons, and towards permanent settlers of Asian origin, now accounting for a record 57.7 per cent share over the past 12 months.</div>
 <img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1w0a3JXsOt8/VtzVO6qsuFI/AAAAAAAAbsk/Ua4W6MM6LoA/s640/ARR6.jpg" width="640" height="350"> Record high 7.5 million arrivals <div>Despite the soft headline figures those hoping for a significant decline in Australian population growth are likely to be disappointed, with the wider picture being that population growth will probably only slow from extremely strong to strong. Indeed, after accounting for the rapid growth in student visas, total population growth in Australia is probably already rising again. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the year to January the number of short term arrivals blazed past 7.5 million for the first time in recording another strong +8.6 per cent rolling annual increase.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The number of short term departures is still creeping up, but a much more sedate pace, implying an exchange rate driven rebalancing. </div>
 <img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XRjxdNt05RE/VtzVN3S-ucI/AAAAAAAAbsY/SUn_byjPb0I/s640/ARR3.jpg" width="640" height="338"> <div> </div>
<div>There was a huge increase in the number of holiday makers to Australia in the year to January of +442,000 taking the annualised total up to a fresh high of 3.57 million, while an additional +119,400 folk came to visit friends &amp; family, taking the total for this category up to a record 2.04 million. </div>
 <img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqgko3XUhEE/VtzVOrpQBMI/AAAAAAAAbsg/QSKZ6hUP6Gg/s640/ARR5.jpg" width="640" height="348"> <div> </div>
<div>The key reason that population growth is unlikely to slow is the vast projected boom in international students. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were some 55,000 education arrivals in January, by a huge margin the biggest January on record, and it seems to be a nailed on certainty that 2016 will be the greatest ever year for the enrolment of international students. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>More relaxed visa rules mean that many thousands of these students will end up becoming permanent residents in time. </div>
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<div class="separator">Last, but certainly not least, the explosion in visitors from China has virtually torn the roof off, with an astonishing +57.3 per cent increase from January 2015.</div>
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 <div>Naturally the most popular month in the calendar year for Chinese visitors will be February, due to the lunar year. The raw original data show that Chinese visitors in that month have ramped up at an astonishing pace:</div>
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<div>Feb 2012 - 66,500</div>
<div>Feb 2013 - 110,400</div>
<div>Feb 2014 - 104,400 </div>
<div>Feb 2015 - 164,400</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It seems likely that Febuary 2016 was another record-breaker, but we'll have to wait another month for the official confirmation of that. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The wrap</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The full suite of figures appear to tie with DIBP forecasts of population growth bottoming out at somewhere close to 300,000 per annum, before increasing strongly over the remainder of the decade. It is important to note that most of the population slowdown has been in mining and resources regions - the largest capital cities have barely experienced any slowing at all to date. Evidently the composition of immigration moving forward will be very different, with Asia being the key driver of population and tourism growth. --- Chinese iron ore, coke and rebar futures have all hit limit up during today's trade, while crude might even get back to $40. Nice to see. A few mining stocks are going ballistic. </div>
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Asian century tees off in Australia: Pete Wargent

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We receive lots of calls from property investors wanting to talk to us about developing. 
During our initial chat we discuss their goals and achievements to date with property. Usually we find that most people have at least one investment property, some have several. Some have built a house before but most haven’t. Then we discuss what property developing is like as an experience to see if they think it may suit them.
Property developing is not for everyone and I’ve found that you need to be somewhat flexible, have an open mind and be fairly non-controlling and decisive.  Without going into a Carl Jung type personality and psychological analysis, it can be hard to determine if a person is ready to embark on a development. But having entrepreneurial traits will help as things won’t always go to plan.
A good starting point is to ask yourself these questions: 
<ul>
<li>Do I understand what needs to be done?</li>
<li>Can I do what’s got to be done?</li>
<li>Do I have the necessary skills, resources, time, and team support?</li>
<li>Can I handle risk?</li>
<li>Can I create real value?</li>
</ul>
Property Bloom has managed many property developments over the years and as we've progressed, we’ve continually refined our process – with every development comes a new learning and we use this experience to improve what we do.  By doing this we’ve been able to save time, money and reduce a lot of the risk. 
Here's an example. The other day we reviewing plans for one of our projects and focussed turned to  the roof. We came up with a great look using various gables to break up the roof line.
Generally speaking, the more detail in the roof design, the more interesting but also the more expensive. We worked out if we used a more simple hip roof, the saving on trusses and roofing materials was substantial. We looked at a design with the hip roof and decided the money was best saved. The saving could be used in other areas that would actually add value like ducted air conditioning for instance.
If you are embarking on a development, due diligence is key. Find areas where there’s good demand and growth indicators with good infrastructure investment taking place.  This can indicate planned growth for the area. Then closely track what’s happening in the locations – fundamental research is just as, if not more important as statistical research to us.
Project managing your development involves dynamic relationships between several different parties. Building established and trusted relationships takes time. Your builder will be one of the most important people on your team so ensure they are efficient and build to the highest of standards. You should work closely with them to ensure all is running to schedule.
So if you find you are not set up to develop property and need a helping hand, then consider engaging a project manager who can help mitigate risk by using their tested methods, understanding of the cities and their suburbs they develop in, that can source good development sites and have a team of people  ready to get your development off the ground. Perhaps with a positive development experience under your belt, you'll be ready to tackle the next on your own.
Jo Chivers is chief executive officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.
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Are you ready to be a property developer? Jo Chivers

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Property sale numbers fell in Brisbane over the past three months, the latest research from Brisbane Cityscope shows. 
The last three months to the beginning of February recorded 16 sales for a total of nearly $428.3 million, with $394.4 million for commercial, $300,000 for commercial strata, $12.9 million for retail, $1.2 million for retail strata and $17.6 million for other.
In comparison, the three months to the beginning of November had 23 sales for a total of $209.9 million, with $131 million for commercial, $700,000 for commercial strata, $53.7 million for retail, $5.7 million for retail strata and $13.5 million for other.
The 12 months leading up to the beginning of February 2016 recorded 74 sales for a total of over $1.93 billion, significantly higher than the same time period a year earlier.
<a href="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesGrid-580x246.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesGrid-580x246.gif" alt="">
The three most significant sales recorded this quarter were:
▪ Mineral House, 41 George Street, was sold by QIC Investments No. 3 Pty Ltd and QIC Infrastructure Management No. 2 Pty Ltd for $159 million. The sale represented an initial yield of 8.77% on an advertised passing income of $13.93 million (net). Chesterton International and Colliers International brokered the deal. Mineral House is a 27-storey office building which was built in 1979.
▪ 313 Adelaide Street was bought for $114 million by Gref Brisbane Pty Ltd on behalf of a German fund managed by Deutsche Asset &amp; Wealth Management. The sale, through CBRE and JLL, represented an initial yield of around 7% on a passing income of $7.98 million.
▪ 201 Charlotte Street was bought for more than $81.5 million by Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited on behalf of Fortius Funds Management Pty Limited and BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited. Chesterton International and Evolution Capital brokered the deal.
<a href="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesChart.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/7/Pulse-BNSalesChart.gif" alt="">
Properties currently listed for sale include:
▪ Unit 3, Qantm House, 138-140 Albert Street – a 369 sqm unit, comprising the entire first floor. For sale with an asking price of $2 million; agent, K2 Private (Stuart Moody).
▪ Unit 1 and unit 2, Northpoint, 239 North Quay – a 153 sqm commercial unit on the ground floor. For sale with an asking price of $2.5 million; agent, Tewksbury Commercial Real Estate (Peter Tewksbury and Darren Lucchese).
▪ Unit 6, 183 North Quay – a 572 sqm commercial unit, comprising the entire fourth floor. For sale with an asking price of $2,300,000; agent, Blocksidge (Christopher Finn and Paul De Luca).
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Brisbane records fewer commercial deals in quarter to Feb, but value up: Cityscope

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The last of nine prime retail shops at the base of the EXO apartment building in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct has sold for $1,128,000 to a private investor.
Shop 5A at 860 Collins Street is spread over 140 square metres and was the last retail space available on the ground floor of Lendlease’s EXO apartment tower.
The selling agents were Daniel Wolman, Oliver Hay and Chris Ling of Colliers International. 
It follows the recent sale of the 251 square metre corner site at EXO, tenanted by ASX-listed Flight Centre on a 10-year lease, for $2.51 million, also by Colliers International.
“Anchored by the national headquarters of ANZ, NAB, Lend Lease and Myer, Victoria Harbour is becoming increasingly sought after," said Wolman.
The nine ground floor shops at EXO range from 85 to 402 square metres.
Wolman said investment activity in the area was being supported by increasing foot traffic from a growing catchment of commercial office tenants.
“Since its completion in mid-2013, EXO at 860 Collins Street, and the Victoria Harbour precinct more broadly, has undergone significant uplift and growth as a result of Melbourne’s increasing population and the CBD growing towards Docklands with more affordable retail and office space,” he said.
Ling said record low interest rates, a soft Australian dollar and volatility in overseas Asian markets were combining to position the Australian commercial property as a safe haven for investors and owner-occupiers alike.
“Investor appetite for prime retail space in the Melbourne CBD continues unabated. We expect it will drive strong demand for a range of assets we are currently marketing, including a freestanding retail investment at 471 Eliizabeth Street, two strata retail shops at 1 Little Collins Street and the Belgian Beer Café site at the base of Eureka Tower at 3-7 Riverside Quay.”
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Final retail shop sold at Melbourne's EXO apartments for $1.128 million

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Brisbane is approaching the peak of the retail market cycle, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's recent property clock.
The clock is a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are as at February 2016 - and what direction prices are moving in, with an accompanying analysis.
Neighbourhood and convenience grade shopping centres were the flavour in Brisbane in calendar year 2015, with a large volume of transactions.
The high levels of demand and active market was seen across all market sectors, and has seen investment yields compress by up to 100 basis points over the course of the year, a significant shift in such a short time period, says the HTW report.
Among the neighbourhood centres, there were a number of transactions involving newly developed supermarket-based centres in growth areas.
Convenience centres are also in strong demand and many such properties in the inner ring suburbs are also now benefiting from expectations that they may offer future redevelopment potential.
Prime grade freestanding retail assets were realising yields in the range of 5% to 6%, whilst non-institutional grade retail properties attracted slightly softer yields of between 6% and 7%. Convenience centres were showing yields of between 6.5% and 8.0%.
Recent evidence indicates that yields are probably nearing the bottom at these ranges, however, there is no indication as yet of any likely upward movement. Certainly, retail assets are generally being tightly held due to the lack of yield in alternate investment classes, says the HTW report.
Second tier assets saw compression of yields, though these remain some 100 to 200 basis points higher than premium grade assets.
Rental growth remains patchy with very little growth evident in current markets. There has however been a gradual decline in vacancies in the higher quality centres. Future rental growth, however, is still likely to only keep pace with inflation at best.
Large format retail properties have been coming back into popularity with a significant compression of yields since the difficult post-GFC days. Vacancies are generally declining, however rent growth remains largely stagnant, it concludes.
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