Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]

Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]

The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]

Joel Robinson

The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pdg-corporation">PDG</a> has unveiled its vision for the former Water Tank Site in Ivanhoe, which would see it transformed into a thriving residential neighbourhood, complete with a 2000 sqm public park.&nbsp;

Delivered in partnership with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/development-victoria">Development Victoria</a>, the proposal would transform the prominent corner of Bell Street and Upper Heidelberg Road into a connected community comprising two residential buildings, generous public open space and shared amenities.&nbsp;

The vision includes 287 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with a minimum of 10 per cent allocated to affordable housing, alongside a 2,000-square-metre publicly accessible park featuring a children's playground, activity lawn, indigenous planting, timber climbing logs, seating areas and a rock gathering circle.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a>, the proposal draws on the site's industrial heritage, using a robust architectural language that references the former water tank through expressive structural elements and durable, self-finished materials.&nbsp;

Extensive landscaping has been woven throughout the development, creating a living landscape that strengthens connections to nature while responding sensitively to the surrounding neighbourhood. Two residential buildings ranging from three to 12 storeys are linked by a landscaped forecourt, creating a welcoming arrival experience and improving pedestrian connections through the site.&nbsp;

Residents would also enjoy more than 1,000 square metres of communal open space, including barbecue and dining facilities, vegetable gardens, landscaped seating pavilions and a dedicated coworking space.&nbsp;

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the vision reflected an opportunity to transform one of Ivanhoe's most recognisable sites into a place that balanced housing, community and landscape.&nbsp;

"This is an opportunity to reimagine an important site and create a neighbourhood that delivers lasting benefits for Ivanhoe," Giuliano said.&nbsp;

"We're creating much more than new homes. The vision brings together affordable housing, quality architecture, meaningful public open space and shared places that encourage people to connect, while respecting the site's history and its place within the local community."&nbsp;

Development Victoria’s Executive General Manager Precincts, Niall Cunningham, said the application is an important step for the government-owned site.&nbsp;

“This is about delivering more homes in a well-connected location, along with public open space that the Ivanhoe community will benefit from for years to come,” Cunningham said.&nbsp;

PDG was selected as development partner in late 2025 following a competitive tender process.&nbsp;

A planning submission for the project is currently being progressed through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with positive early engagement from both Banyule Council and the Department of Transport and Planning.

PDG unveils plans to transform landmark Ivanhoe Water Tank Site

Shane Wilkinson's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace Development Group</a> has lodged plans for a major residential precinct on the former Presentation College site in Windsor, with an eight-building masterplan ultimately rising to 10 storeys.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/167-dandenong-road-windsor-vic-3181">167–187 Dandenong Road</a> spans a substantial 19,027 sqm site and is being progressed across six stages, with the first residential stages comprising 170 homes across four buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>.

Stage Two will deliver the bulk of the initial housing, with Building A comprising 81 apartments and Building B 49 apartments, both rising to six storeys.

Stage Three will deliver a further 40 homes. The heritage Nagel Building, identified as Building C, will be converted to 12 dwellings, while a new five-storey Building D will comprise 28 apartments at the Hornby Street and Dandenong Road corner.

The 170 homes across Stages Two and Three will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including townhouse-style dwellings.<img alt="First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83c56e3e-dfb9-4e12-b172-c3f18513ec32" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_9.png?VersionId=xRcRpSZsxX.UX_NDDGcRZktw7HVrzx7u" />

&nbsp;

The longer-term masterplan points to considerably greater density across the site.

Indicative plans show Building E accommodating around 80 dwellings across up to 10 storeys, while Building F is earmarked for around 120 dwellings and also up to 10 storeys. Building G is planned to range between four and 10 storeys, however its apartment yield is yet to be determined. That means the masterplan currently identifies at least 370 dwellings across Buildings A to F before any apartments within Building G are counted.

Across the 1.9-hectare site, that represents an indicative density of at least 194 dwellings per hectare, with the final figure to increase once the yield of Building G is established.

Pace is pursuing the project through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program, with Urbis lodging a combined Section 96A planning scheme amendment and planning application on behalf of the developer, which secured the site earlier this year.

The application seeks detailed approval for Stages One, Two and Three, alongside approval of the broader masterplan framework that will guide the later residential stages. Stage One will see an existing heritage building adaptively reused for a wellness and fitness-related facility, while the broader precinct will retain several significant heritage buildings and established trees as part of the redevelopment.

A minimum 10 per cent affordable housing contribution is proposed across both the initial residential stages and the later masterplan stages, delivered through a discounted rental model.

The project comes immediately after a major change to the site's planning controls.

The site was rezoned to the Housing Choice and Transport Zone through Planning Scheme Amendment GC285, gazetted on July 22, 2026, and now sits within the inner catchment of the Windsor Station precinct under the State Government's Train and Tram Zone Activity Centres Program.

While the new controls identify large sites within the inner catchment for buildings of up to six storeys, Pace's masterplan pushes height to 10 storeys in parts of the site, with the taller buildings concentrated toward the centre and along the Sandringham railway corridor.

Lower-scale built form is proposed toward the site's more sensitive residential and heritage edges, with Buildings A and B generally stepping from three storeys at their interfaces to six storeys at upper levels.

Cera Stribley's masterplan breaks the development into a collection of separate buildings rather than a continuous built form, with landscaped spaces, new pedestrian links and a new publicly accessible road forming part of the precinct.

The planning report says the development will create new pedestrian connections to Elm Place and along the railway corridor, as well as a new publicly accessible road linking Elm Place with Dandenong Road. The proposed buildings will occupy around 54 per cent of the site, leaving a substantial portion available for landscaping, communal areas and permeable surfaces.

Urbis said the scale of the project reflected the site's strategic location close to Windsor Station, tram services and the Chapel Street Activity Centre, with the former school campus identified as a significant opportunity to increase housing supply on an underutilised inner-Melbourne site.

&nbsp;

First look: Pace plans landscaped housing precinct on former Windsor school site

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/jl-place">JL PLACE</a>'s Veil Brighton is approaching its final months of construction, with the nine-townhouse development at 17 Rooding Street expected to complete in December 2026.

The milestone is bringing the boutique project closer to becoming a finished part of the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brighton-vic-3186">Brighton</a> streetscape, with much of Brighton's everyday amenity within a short walk.

Palace Cinema, Coles Supermarket and North Brighton Station are all around five minutes on foot from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/veil-brighton-17-rooding-street-brighton-vic-3186">Veil</a>, alongside numerous cafés, restaurants and bars. The station provides a direct rail connection toward Melbourne's CBD, while Bay Street and the wider Brighton retail and dining network add to the range of services accessible without relying on a car for every trip.

"The location was fundamental to the project. Brighton is an established suburb where many buyers already have strong connections to the area and want to remain close to the people, places and amenities that form part of their everyday life," the developer said.

"Veil sits in a highly walkable part of Brighton, with a Walk Score of 90/100."

For buyers looking to right-size within Bayside, that level of walkability adds to the appeal of a more manageable way of living. Everyday shopping, dining, entertainment and public transport can be accessed without relying on the car for every trip, while residents remain connected to the places and routines that make Brighton familiar. It allows buyers to simplify day-to-day life without giving up the convenience, amenity and connections they already value.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7877 project_image_fid=355754]

As completion approaches, the architecture, landscaping and material palette are progressively becoming visible on site, giving prospective purchasers a clearer view of the finished development beyond its plans and renders.

Veil comprises nine townhouses, predominantly three-bedroom homes with between 2.5 and 3.5 bathrooms, two car spaces and, depending on the residence, study areas and private outdoor space. Selected homes include a bedroom on the ground floor.

Veil occupies a middle ground between detached housing and apartment living, retaining private gardens, storage and secure parking within a more manageable residential format.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/schmidt-pang-architects">Schmidt &amp; Pang</a> designed the architecture around natural light, ventilation, privacy and practical use of space. From Rooding Street, the façade has been composed to read as a cohesive residential building rather than nine individual townhouses, with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick Landscape Architects</a> integrated throughout the site.

Inside, natural stone, oak flooring, integrated joinery and brushed nickel finishes establish a restrained material palette, while kitchens include Miele appliances and substantial storage such as pantries. Walk-in robes and dedicated study spaces have also been incorporated across the collection.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7877 project_image_fid=355852]

The project team said the planning of the homes has been informed by how the spaces function for both daily routines and larger gatherings.

"Our new homes owners at Veil have enjoyed the attention to detail in creating efficient layouts that use every space well. Hosting Christmas lunch and large family gatherings is an ease when care is taken to consider how people really live and entertain."

Private landscaped gardens extend the living spaces outdoors, while secure basement parking and bicycle parking are provided below. The homes have also been designed to achieve a 7-star energy rating, supported by double glazing, high-quality insulation, natural ventilation, LED lighting, water tanks and water-efficient fittings. Each residence is backed by a 10-year building guarantee.

Veil is being built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/jeniton">Jeniton</a>.&nbsp;Limited-time stamp duty savings are also currently available on selected purchases at Veil, adding another consideration as the project moves toward completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7877]

Veil Brighton nears completion in one of the suburb's most walkable pockets

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic Property Group</a> has recorded 134 sales worth just over $400 million in two months of pre-release activity at The Riversdale, as the developer brings its $750 million South Brisbane riverfront project to the broader market.

The sales represent more than 60 per cent of the project's 213 apartments, with Mosaic reporting the majority of purchasers have been local owner-occupiers and downsizers.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-riversdale-by-mosaic-south-brisbane-91-montague-road-south-brisbane-qld-4101">The Riversdale</a> will rise 39 storeys from its north-facing site at 91 Montague Road, delivering a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments alongside a collection of Mosaic's premium Masterpiece Series Sky Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=371872]

The early buyer response comes ahead of the wider evolution of the northern end of Montague Road, where The Riversdale will be one of the first major residential projects delivered within an emerging riverfront precinct.

Directly adjoining the development is a planned 7.1-hectare mixed-use precinct, set to introduce new residences, parkland and public realm along the river's edge. The Riversdale's position directly on the Brisbane River gives it a relationship with the waterfront that Mosaic says cannot be replicated by future buildings within the precinct.

The site is also the result of a years-long pursuit by Mosaic. The developer first earmarked the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-brisbane-qld-4101">South Brisbane</a> property in 2018, reflecting what Founder and Managing Director Brook Monahan has described as a deliberately patient approach to acquiring development sites.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=372083]

"We aren't opportunistic," Monahan previously told Apartments.com.au.

"Every site purchase is carefully considered. As seen with Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane, it can take years to eventuate. There are sites we're looking at now that we may not secure for several years."

Designed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau Proberts</a>, The Riversdale has been shaped around the qualities of the riverfront site, with apartments oriented to capture northern light and uninterrupted Brisbane River views.

Generous floorplans and expansive balconies extend the living spaces towards the river, while natural materials and a restrained interior palette have been selected with longevity in mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=371890]

Residents will have access to a level of amenity more commonly associated with world-class hotels and private members' clubs, with almost 3,000 sqm dedicated to wellness, connection, recreation and everyday convenience.

At ground level is a business lounge, private meeting rooms and dedicated workspaces. Mid-tower is a wellness sanctuary featuring magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, steam room, infrared therapy facilities, a Pilates and yoga studio, and a commercial-grade gymnasium.

Crowning The Riversdale is a rooftop featuring a 35-metre swimming pool with lap lane and spa, outdoor dining and seating terraces, firepit lounges and views of the city, river and Mount Coot-tha.

A private members' club-inspired retreat offers private dining rooms, a whisky lounge, media rooms and immersive entertainment experiences. Completing the amenity offering are two hotel-style guest suites and a resident-exclusive electric vehicle fleet and car-share program.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=371877]

The Riversdale sits at the northern end of Montague Road between South Bank and West End, around 1.3 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, providing access to the city's major cultural, dining and recreation precincts.

It becomes Mosaic's largest Brisbane project to date and adds to a pipeline already under construction across the city.

In Brisbane, the developer is currently delivering The Bedford and The Carter at Kangaroo Point, both of which are approaching sell-out, with a further four projects being delivered on the Gold Coast. Mosaic has completed more than $2 billion in projects since 2012 and has a further development pipeline exceeding $2 billion across South East Queensland.

Early works are underway at The Riversdale, which will be delivered by Mosaic's in-house construction division. Completion is anticipated in late 2029, with remaining apartments priced from $1.98 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151614]

Mosaic records more than $400m in two months at South Brisbane's The Riversdale

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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When entrepreneur Dr Catriona Wallace wanted to grow her tech start-up and saw there were no shared workspaces specifically catering to women, she came up with a whole new business idea. 
That business is The Ventura, Australia’s first co-working space designed specifically for the needs of female entrepreneurs in the early stages of their careers in business.
The first such co-working space is located on Sussex Street in Sydney, with hopes to expand to other spaces across Sydney and Australia. It aims to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to enjoy a shared workspace without the heavily male-dominated culture that so many co-working spaces currently feature. 
“I currently own three businesses and one of them, Flamingo, is a tech startup. Last year we reached a stage where we needed our own space, but because rental prices in Sydney are very hard to manage in the early stages of a business I thought I would do what other startups do and investigate co-working spaces,” Wallace toldWomen’s Agenda.
“But when I started investigating our options, I just found them all to be very masculine – the majority of the people working in them were men and the culture felt very male-dominated. So I thought to myself, if I’m not comfortable here, where can the girls go?”
Wallace believes women entrepreneurs face unique challenges in the startup world, and need spaces that specifically cater to such needs. 
“We studied co-working spaces all over the world and found there were so few dedicated to women. So we decided to set up The Ventura based on the principles we think will help women entrepreneurs find success,” Wallace said. 
Those principles include providing a physical space that enables women to feel connected, while also offering access to capital networks and technological advice.
“So many women entrepreneurs are very isolated when beginning their startups, they often work from home, have children, have very little steady income and are transitioning out of a corporate role, so they are not well connected to the entrepreneurial community,” Wallace explained.
“One of the most important things The Ventura will do is provide a physical space for these women to work away from their kitchen bench and be surrounded by other women trying to do the same thing as they are. Also, we are dedicated to having a space for children so that women can bring their children to work and keep them close.”
“Another key factor is access to capital – when women enter the startup world, they often have very few connections to investors, so The Ventura will build relationships between members of the capital community and the women entrepreneurs who use the space.
Wallace added that it's important to provide access to tech specialists, as so many startups involve a technological element but many women entrepreneurs do not have expertise in the tech field. This results in women losing money in early stages due to poor decision making when it comes to technology. 
The Ventura is aimed at women in the early stages of starting their business – those with fewer than 10 employees that have been operational for less than three years. Most importantly, the business must have a female founder, co-founder, CEO or leader. This does not mean, however, that the space will not involve men.
“Even if all the people the CEO or founder employs are men, that’s fine, as long as it is led by a woman. We are clear about the fact that we are not exclusive of men, we are simply catering specifically to the needs of women,” Wallace said.
“We expect about half of the employees using our space will be men.”
Another important part of Wallace’s vision for The Ventura is that it will support women from groups that are largely underrepresented in the startup and business worlds, such as Indigenous women, lesbian and transgender women, women with disabilities, asylum seekers and women from remote areas of Australia. The Ventura will dedicate 20% of its office space to these women.
Wallace also aims to support younger women aiming to become social entrepreneurs.
The Ventura has brought on “guardians of the Ventura” – high profile women such as Anne Summers, Emma Isaacs and Carla McGrath to ensure that the space is doing everything it can to support women who are largely under supported in the startup community.
The Ventura will officially launch next Tuesday, 31 March.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.womensagenda.com.au/" target="_blank">Women's Agenda</a>.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Introducing the new co-working space for female entrepreneurs

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A Melbourne based developer has paid $3.6 million for a prime residential development site at Bentleigh in Melbourne’s inner south-east.
It was in a private treaty sale brokered by Savills Australia on behalf of two neighbours.
The 24-26 Vickery Street site, located close to the Centre Road retail strip and Bentleigh railway station, sits within the McKinnon High School zone.
The Residental Growth Zone allows for a four level development under recently amended planning laws.
Savills’ Julian Heatherich and Jesse Radisich said the consolidation of neighboring residences sold on the very strong rate of $2,652 a square metre.
"The sale price reinforces the market’s appetite for well located suburban development sites,’’ Heatherich said.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Neighbours unite in Bentleigh to offer residential development site

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Global investment levels will remain strong for the next three years with “darker clouds” gathering in 2018, according to CBRE’s head of global capital markets Christopher Ludeman.
Ludeman said that upcoming future economic cycles were unlikely to be as severe as that in 2008.
“We have developed a tendency now to judge everything by the correction during the great financial crisis. But that’s like the 100-year flood. We don’t see many of those and so the market will continue to remain strong globally through 2015, 16 and 17. It is 2018 when the clouds get a little darker,” he said.
Ludeman added that global capital flow will continue to increase as investors and developers look to hedge their assets.
Marc Giuffrida, CBRE’s executive director for international capital markets in Asia, agreed that this is certainly the case in Asia.
“We are seeing the amount of money coming out of Asia accelerating as the cycle here is at the upper echelon. So the developers are looking at how to expand. Last year we did $40bn (£27bn) in outbound Asian investment compared to $8bn-$10bn in 2008,” Giuffrida told journalists at the recent MIPIM conference.
Last year Asian real estate buyers looking abroad tend to favor cities that they know well through reputation or travel, said Giuffrida.
"Asian investors continue to show a strong preference for trophy assets in global gateway cities," he said.
New York and London are top choices for buying existing properties, but now Chinese developers are targeting the U.S. West Coast and east coast of Australia for new construction, he said.
In downtown Los Angeles, Shanghai-based Greenland Group recently broke ground on the first phase of a $1-billion condo, hotel and retail project called Metropolis
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CBRE sees dark clouds ahead for global investment levels, but not until 2018

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For some investors, the question is: "Where do I start?" And that's a reasonable question when buying commercial property is not your mainstream activity.
So, let's quickly dissect the process.
<ol>
<li>Shortlisting your Possibilities This involves both market research, as well as matching up your investment objectives. And to help you <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/hireturn-filter/id716495090?mt=8" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">I've put together a free app</a>, which walks you through how to do this in a flash. </li>
<li>The Final Judgement This is where you take the 18 components behind a thorough financial analysis, and distil them down into a single figure — being the internal rate of return. This then enables you to quickly compare your opportunities, on an after-tax basis. </li>
<li>
Ensure you don't Overpay Unlike with residential, commercial property doesn't always value up at what you pay for it. Therefore, you need a mechanism in place to provide you with the correct figure before you commit to purchase. 
</li>
<li>Negotiating the Best Deal Once again, this can prove difficult for most people — particularly, when you're not purchasing property every day. So, here's something that will <a href="https://commercialpropertymadeeasy.com/negotiating-secrets3/" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12.1599998474121px; line-height: 1.3em;">help you become a master negotiator</a>. </li>
<li>
Validating your Purchase You may think you've just bought a really great property. But you should still reserve the right to confirm that — particularly, for properties worth around $1 million or more. 
</li>
<li>
Locking in your Loan Terms Many investors tremble at the thought of applying for finance. That's purely because they haven't discovered one simple trick — how to take control of the valuation. That way, you can turn the tables; and have the lenders competing for your business. 
</li>
<li>
Setting up your Tax Benefits Depreciation is a very handy non-cash deduction, to help in reducing your taxable income. Therefore, knowing how to maximise your claims each year is vital. 
</li>
<li>
Adding Value Once settlement has taken place, you now need to start implementing the plans you devised — when carrying out your earlier analysis for that property. This is where you beginning to generate your super growth.
</li>
</ol>
Bottom line: None of this is overly complicated; in fact, it's really just common sense.
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chrislang-EQKojcgJPV

Eight key steps in acquiring commercial property: Chris Lang

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New research from Onthehouse.com.au has forecast their selection of the top 10 investor suburbs set to deliver during 2015.
There are some surprises with coastal ugly ducklings. Nine were for houses, with Byron Bay the only one selected for possible strong growth in units.
Tweed Heads South was top of the list for houses., while Byron Bay units were expected to deliver a total return of 13% this year.
Nine out of the 10 top investment areas, concluded when considering both projected growth and rental yield, are located along the regional coast of New South Wales and Queensland, while the remaining suburb is located in Western Australia.
The below table lists the top 10 suburbs, in order. 
Click to open in new window:
<a href="/images/2015/03/25/Top_10_Investments_2015_Table1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/03/25/Top_10_Investments_2015_Table1.jpg" alt=""></a>
Source:<a href="https://www.onthehouse.com.au/" target="_blank"> Onthehouse</a>
The median value in Stratton is more than $160,000 cheaper than the city area of Perth.
Queensland’s Allenstown was the most affordable on the list with a median home value of $267,500.
Surprise NSW South Coast entrants included Sussex Inlet and Mollymook Beach.
The relative affordability of quiet coastal suburbs makes them ideal locations for retirees or young families, Onthehouse.com.au analyst Eliza Owen suggested.
"A perfect example of this is Morisset, which is ideally located on the shore of Lake Macquarie as well as being a short drive from the beach - and during the last Census it was found that 39% of the suburb's population was aged 65 years or over," said Owen.
"Many young health professionals have also found the area to be extremely affordable and a good place to rent and save while they attain work experience in the health sector.
"Due to continued rising levels of unaffordability in major cities, regional areas have become more enticing for businesses, as well as home owners.
"Businesses have found it cheaper to relocate their manufacturing and processing outside of metro city areas, creating jobs in regional areas.
"This is again evidenced around Morisset, but is also a case for the outer Perth suburb of Stratton, which is located just 20 kilometres from the Perth CBD."
{mijopolls 102}
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Onthehouse's top 10 investor town tips are mostly on the comeback coastal trail

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Strengthening first home owner incentives should be towards the top of the political agenda for the Palaszczuk government in 2015 ahead of the year’s first state parliamentary sitting.
This is an important issue out there in the community, with so many Queenslanders wanting to see first home owner grants made available to all buyers.
We believe it was a short-sighted move to restrict first home owner grants to new home purchases, but there’s a real opportunity now to put that right.
We’ve already held some very positive discussions with Treasurer Curtis Pitt on this issue and we’ll continue to make the case for this important economic reform.
Reinstating the full spectrum of first home owner incentives would unlock of millions of dollars in investment, delivering an important boost to the Queensland economy.
It would also greatly assist Queensland’s residential housing recovery and help thousands of extra Queenslanders to realise their dream of home ownership.
There was no sound basis for the preferential treatment which currently exists for purchasers of newly built properties.
There needs to be a level playing field for all first home buyers in Queensland.
When grants for existing housing were abolished in 2012 first home owner rates experienced a marked decline, but this could be reversed with the reinstatement of a more even-handed scheme.
The current two-tiered system favouring one class of home buyer over another has simply resulted in thousands of Queenslanders being locked out of the residential real estate market.
We acknowledge there is a need to create more housing supply, but first home owners shouldn’t be limited in their choice as they are under the current system.
Antonia Mercorella is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiq.com/" target="_blank">REIQ</a>.
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We need to level the playing field for first home buyers: REIQ's Antonia Mercorella

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The Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens has urged the Federal government to stay the course on meaningful budget repair or it will face consequences as the debt blows out.
"We're not on the correct path for the long run and we need to get onto a better path I think during benign times," RBA governor Glenn Stevens said on Friday.
We don't have a budgetary crisis, he added.
But during questioning Glenn Stevens told an Australia America Chamber of Commerce lunch that the budget repair should happen during "benign times" to build resilience for the next downturn.
"We should be taking early measured steps that build up in their effect over the long term so that we sustain the position we have," he said.
"If God forbid a large negative shock came along right now, we still have macroeconomic scope to respond to that" with the fiscal firepower to respond, he said.
"A deficit that's 3% of GDP right now that would be at 5 or 6 or 7% very quickly if we had a significant recession. If you were then thinking we'd like to do some discretionary stimulus on top of that then you are talking about pretty big deficits," Stevens said.
But scope for discretionary stimulus on top of that could be limited, if the deficit was already high. 
"When you go into a downtown the deficit gets bigger anyway because the government does nothing because of the so-called automatic stabilisers and that's appropriate," he said.
His formal notes advised that looking back at the history: "If we come through this terms of trade event with neither a major outbreak of inflation in the upswing nor a major crash in the downswing, even if we have a period of sub-average growth in the process, we will have done far, far better than in any previous event of this kind, let alone one of this magnitude."
"I still think that is the most likely outcome.
"Even so, the lower terms of trade mean that, all other things equal, the path of future incomes is not as high as it might have looked a few years ago.
"Even allowing for the fact that we all knew, intellectually, that at least part of the boom was not permanent, there is a human tendency to project what we see now (good or bad) into the future. Eventually reality intrudes and we have to re-evaluate.
"That has happened countless times before and will again, no doubt."
Glenn Stevens noted while that the economy continued in its adjustment to the end of the investment phase of the ‘mining boom’. 
"The massive run-up in resources sector capital spending that was a natural response to earlier very high prices is reversing, causing a drag on demand. 
"So we hope for other sources of demand to speed up to help make up the difference. 
"Some of them are, though not as seamlessly as any of us would like. 
"It is a major transition. 
"We can hope to assist it, and the Reserve Bank is doing that, and will continue to lend what support it can, within the limits of its powers and consistent with its mandate.
"The decline in the exchange rate is assisting the transition (as it assisted in absorbing the earlier phase of the mining boom). 
"But we have always said we cannot hope to fine-tune this transition, however much we may wish otherwise."
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There's hope if a large negative shock hits Australia: RBA's Glenn Stevens

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With construction beginning on more than 50,000 dwelling units in the September 2014 quarter, up almost 20% on the previous year, is the construction sector all that's holding Australia back from a recession?
That may certainly be the case, according to comments from BIS Shrapnel economists at its Melbourne business forecasting conference earlier this week. And the Reserve Bank (RBA) board may just agree.
In its March meeting minutes, the RBA board noted further softening in the mining sector, with "steep declines" in mining investment contributing to below-trend gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the December quarter.
"The ABS survey of capital expenditure intentions implied further large falls in mining investment, as current projects were completed and few new projects were likely to proceed," the minutes read.
Meanwhile, income growth stayed low by historical measures and "the unemployment rate had continued its gradual upward trend".
Aside from low oil prices, the RBA board didn't see much that would continue to support consumer demand – except for residential investment.
"The current strength of housing construction and the increase in housing prices were expected to provide a measure of support for consumption," read March's minutes.
"A range of indicators, including residential building approvals, suggested further strong growth of dwelling investment in the near term."
The Reserve Bank's comments crediting construction investment with supporting the domestic economy are supported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) December quarter GDP figures. The ABS noted that: "In seasonally adjusted terms, the main contributors to GDP growth were Construction and Health care and social assistance each contributing 0.1 percentage points to the increase in GDP."
According to the ABS, $50.35 billion worth of construction work was done (on a seasonally adjusted basis) in the final quarter of 2014. While the figure is slightly down from its previous peak in the final quarter of 2012 (<a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/construction-holds-up-well-thanks-to" target="_blank">as noted by Pete Wargent</a>), on a historical basis, the pace of Australia's construction industry in the past few years has been unprecedented.
<img src="/images/2015/03/23/bis-mar-23-one.jpg" alt="">
The value of total construction work done in the December 2014 quarter was also down on the figure recorded in the same period in 2013, by 4.8%. However, the decline can be attributed to engineering work and commercial construction, down 12.3% and 4.8% respectively over the year.
In fact, BIS Shrapnel managing director Robert Mellor noted on Tuesday that the state with the strongest relative commercial property construction sector currently was Tasmania, thanks to the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment.
Nationally, the value of residential work was up 12.7% from the December 2013 quarter.
<img src="/images/2015/03/23/bis-mar-23-two.jpg" alt="">
The Reserve Bank has also acknowledged the weak commercial property construction figures, noting in the March minutes that:
"Overall, survey measures of business conditions had remained around their average levels, while the trend in non-residential building approvals was at a low level and conditions in the commercial property market remained weak, with office vacancy rates in all capital cities at high levels."
But while residential investment has been able to buoy a flagging commercial property market, can it continue to uphold the entire economy as the mining sector slows further?
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Has the apartment construction boom saved Australia from recession?

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The ABS released its <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/3685CE437B16298ACA257AFC000E9FB3?opendocument" target="_blank">Detailed Labour Force</a> figures for February 2015 and for the quarter, and the news was somewhat mixed.
This data series is not seasonally adjusted, and total jobs growth over the past 12 months was surprisingly strong, with the total number of employed persons surging to 11,762,700. Employment growth was driven overwhelmingly job gains in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.
It will be interesting to see whether this strength is ultimately mirrored in the seasonally adjusted Labour Force data in due course. Let's take a look in four short parts.
 Part 1 - Mining and manufacturing jobs go
While it can hardly be a surprise, the fall in the number of employees in the mining sector has been dramatic, tailing all the way from 270,000 to just 220,400, with nearly 50,000 positions cut in just 12 months.
Manufacturing industries have also shed -23,500 jobs over the past year.
It has long been my contention that the end of the mining investment boom will represent adverse news for many of Australia's regional property markets, a number of which had performed surprisingly well through a once-off decade long resources investment boom.
The decline in manufacturing employment is also in my opinion likely to represent a significant headwind for the city of Adelaide, though for the purposes of balance I do note that a number of other commentators strongly disagree with me on this point.
 Part 2 - Services employment increases
On the positive side of the employment ledger there now is some evidence of rebalancing over the past 12 months, with construction and services jobs helping to more than offset the jobs losses in mining and manufacturing.
As I noted <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/sydney-construction-boom" target="_blank">in by blog post last week</a>, despite the inevitable contraction in the resources sector, total construction employment is still pumping with a net +45,800 jobs added over the past 12 months.
Meanwhile professional, scientific and technical services employment surged by +98,800 from 889,000 to 997,800.
Other non-trivial gains were seen in accommodation and food services (+43,500), arts and recreation (+31,300) and media and telecoms (+24,500).
Generally speaking this is good news for the four largest capital cities, and not such happy news for regional Australia or Adelaide.
Part 3 - Employment by region
Over the past year the greatest absolute employment growth has been seen in Melbourne (+94,800) and Sydney (+49,600).
<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x2GN1SDvR4/VQstUPtkehI/AAAAAAAAT2U/1I5VHfnHuFQ/s1600/dlf3.jpg"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x2GN1SDvR4/VQstUPtkehI/AAAAAAAAT2U/1I5VHfnHuFQ/s1600/dlf3.jpg"></a>
By contrast, regional employment growth has been weak leading to a divergence in unemployment rates in New South Wales in particular - a dearth of employment growth on a net basis over the past two years has seen regional unemployment in NSW rising to above 8%.
This has partly been driven by mining jobs losses in the coal sector, and on a smoothed moving average basis, the unemployment trend becomes clear.
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRGNTMkVQ_k/VQstS3JQr7I/AAAAAAAAT10/g1Y5NxzVWvQ/s1600/DLF6.jpg"> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRGNTMkVQ_k/VQstS3JQr7I/AAAAAAAAT10/g1Y5NxzVWvQ/s1600/DLF6.jpg"></a>
In other states, both Perth (+35,700) and Brisbane (+33,200) have recorded robust employment growth over the year to February 2015, with residential property construction having a key role to play.
However, regional employment growth has been weak in Queensland and Western Australia too.
Meanwhile over the past two years total employment in Adelaide has declined (-11,900), with further job losses expected due to Holden's departure.
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5Fbcz5JmlA/VQstTP_yWKI/AAAAAAAAT14/_IwGI2MHbT8/s1600/DLF4.jpg"> 
Looking at these results across a range of time horizons shows how the bulk of employment growth has consistently been seen in the four largest capital cities plus regional Queensland.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0qMSobbRjc/VQstUFb7chI/AAAAAAAAT2M/TqSSOhV5yzo/s1600/dlf5.jpg">
 Part 4 - Unemployment The month to month unemployment figures are very volatile, but for completeness here they are.
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h4KjNZbSYBw/VQstSpeAdvI/AAAAAAAAT1w/tiQH1F2qcbo/s1600/DLF2.jpg">
In order to make some kind of sense of the capital city unemployment rates (which are not seasonally adjusted) I've run them below on a smoothed moving average basis.
One key takeaway point here for mine is that the unemployment rate in Perth has been trending upwards fairly sharply since 2013, continuing a trend away from near full employment in the period leading up to 2008.
There has been some talk of weakening employment markets in Darwin, though in truth there has not been much evidence of this in the data to date.
On the other hand, the outlook in Tasmania is improving with the unemployment rate beginning to decline and a number of other positive data releases being recorded here on this blog over the past 12 months, including for <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/retail-trade-lifts-in-january" target="_blank">retail trade</a> and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/economy-grows-by-25-percent-in-2014" target="_blank">state final demand</a>.
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BY7T7X-PgAY/VQstTtPwl8I/AAAAAAAAT2A/hpM-pOCOLeY/s1600/dlf1.jpg">
In fact, while I don't recommend on this blog that anyone dashes out to invest in property in Hobart (or for that matter, anywhere), the Tasmanian capital could well be the surprise package property market of the next few years.
Firstly, this is because so many years of inertia have seen the <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/vacancy-rates-tighten-in-february" target="_blank">rental market tightening considerably</a>.
And while population growth and employment growth have certainly been very weak in Tasmania over recent years, the "X factor" could be Chinese investment capital, with record numbers of Chinese visitors enjoying the fresh produce and fresh air of the Apple Isle.
I haven't been down to Tassie since spending a month there while the dollar was busily crippling the forestry industry, but I've heard from more than one source this week that Chinese tourism is dribving a rebound.
I even received a Tweet to that effect:
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhgL4zMboQM/VQtGIsykihI/AAAAAAAAT2o/NzT7qlnfH-I/s1600/TAS.jpg">
Moreover, Tasmania has a small enough population that new investment could impact markets more materially at the margin.
Regional unemployment
I'll cover the regional unemployment rates data in a separate blog post, but the areas of concern include:
<ul>
<li>Central Coast</li>
<li>Hunter Valley ex-Newcastle (now 12.4% unemployment in February 2015 as coal mining job losses bit)</li>
<li>Newcastle and Lake Macquarie</li>
<li>Richmond Tweed</li>
<li>Logan-Beaudesert</li>
<li>Moreton Bay North</li>
<li>Mackay</li>
<li>Wide Bay</li>
</ul>
 
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 book '<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>' is out now.
 
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Employment rebalances to capital cities and services: Pete Wargent

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Hong Kong's Far East Consortium will develop the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Melbourne.
It will be atop the 79 level high-rise tower to be built at 250 Spencer Street, the former site of The Age.
The hotel will have 250 rooms on the highest 15 floors. 
Yesterday’s announcement follows the news that Ritz-Carlton had partnered with FEC to develop a new hotel at Elizabeth Quay in Perth.
Australia's first Ritz-Carlton was established when property veteran Sid Londish, the chairman of Comrealty, developed the Ritz-Carlton on Macquarie Street in the late 1980s for a Japanese millionaire singer, Masao Sen.
That was around 140 years after Cesar Ritz, a shepherd's son, was born in Switzerland.
Described as "the hotelier of kings and the king of hoteliers" by King Edward VII, Ritz opened his first hotel in Paris in June 1898 with finance from Marnier La Postolle, an old friend and the originator of the liqueur Grand Marnier, and culinary wizardry from Auguste Escoffier.
His idea was not to create a "grand hotel" but a new and original one - a home that would equal the comforts, security and service that discriminating patrons would provide for themselves.
Both Ritz and Escoffier had an interest in the Carlton Hotel in London and they combined their efforts to establish a Ritz-Carlton management company.
In 1910, the Ritz-Carlton opened in New York City.
Sydney's Ritz-Carlton was the 15th member of The Ritz-Carlton group and the first in the Pacific Basin.
Double Bay was the brief the location of the second Australian Ritz-Carlton.
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