High-profile apartment defect cases have changed the way many NSW buyers approach purchasing, putting greater scrutiny on building quality, strata records and the parties behind a development before a contract is signed.

The industry buyers are assessing today, however, is also different from the one in which cases such as Opal Tower and Mascot Towers emerged.

NSW has introduced a series of regulatory measures aimed at strengthening oversight of apartment construction, including Building Commission NSW, the Residential Apartment Buildings Act 2020 and the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme. Under the latter, developers are required to lodge a bond, with independent inspections forming part of the process for identifying defects in new strata developments.

Those changes provide another layer of protection, but they haven't removed the importance of buyer due diligence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

For purchasers considering an apartment, that means looking beyond the residence itself. Building and strata history, strata reports, the track record of the builder and developer, the condition of common property and any known or planned expenditure by the owners corporation can all form part of assessing a building before purchase.

Whether the development is already complete can also materially change what can be assessed.

An off-the-plan purchaser is necessarily buying before the finished product exists. A completed apartment, by comparison, can be walked through before contracts are signed, allowing the purchaser to see the finishes, common areas and broader building as they have actually been delivered rather than relying solely on plans and renders.

It also removes exposure to some of the uncertainties that exist between an off-the-plan purchase and completion, including construction delays, cost pressures and builder insolvency during the delivery period.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=927]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a> National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said that greater focus on tangible evidence is increasingly evident among apartment purchasers.

“The biggest shift we're seeing is buyers wanting proof, not promises,” Hamblett said.

“That's exactly why we deal in completed stock - you can inspect the building before you commit - and why we've backed every purchase with a cash bond against special levies.”

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> in Parramatta, that emphasis on a completed, inspectable product is already in place.

The 413-apartment, 46-level tower at 12 Phillip Street is being marketed by Projects by Equitifund, allowing prospective purchasers to inspect the residences, common areas and resident facilities before committing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=375255]

The Lennox also introduces another layer to the due-diligence conversation through Strata Surety.

The vendor-funded arrangement provides purchasers with a cash-backed bond held in their own solicitor's trust account from settlement. According to Equitifund, the bond covers any special levy raised during the applicable cover period and is provided at no cost to the purchaser.

Special levies can create an unexpected cost for apartment owners where an owners corporation needs funding beyond its existing strata contributions. Under NSW strata law, a special levy requires approval by owners at a general meeting.

Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said Strata Surety was designed to provide something more concrete than reassurance about that potential exposure.

“Buyers have every right to ask hard questions about strata risk - the industry has given them plenty of reasons to,” Huxley said.

“Our answer isn't a reassurance, it's a bond. Strata Surety puts real money behind that confidence, held by the buyer's own solicitor, not by us.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=375281]

For The Lennox, its completed status also means purchasers can assess not only the apartment itself, but a building that has already been occupied and operating for several years.

Completed in 2021, the $300 million development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, with open-plan living areas extending to private balconies. Interiors incorporate engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops and integrated appliances, while many upper-level residences have views across the river and surrounding district.

Its established amenity can similarly be inspected in operation. Resident facilities include the Watermark precinct with a 20-metre pool, outdoor terrace, barbecue areas, gym, fitness studio and conference room, while ground-floor retail addresses the river walk and surrounding public space.

The Lennox is also home to the Southern Hemisphere's first fully robotic residential car park, which has now operated for several years. Its nine-level basement combines three conventional parking levels with six automated levels, accommodating 327 vehicles using technology from German firm Lödige Industries.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

The riverfront address puts The Lennox close to much of central <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a>'s existing infrastructure, including Parramatta Station, Westfield Parramatta, Parramatta Park, and the Church Street dining precinct.

The remaining apartments form part of a limited release secured by Equitifund, following the sale of the majority of residences before and shortly after completion.

The regulatory environment around NSW apartment construction has changed considerably since the defect cases that reshaped public discussion around the sector. For purchasers, however, regulation is only one part of the equation. The ability to investigate a building's history, review its strata position and, where possible, inspect what has actually been delivered remains central to making an informed apartment purchase.

At The Lennox, its completed status provides that opportunity before contracts are signed, while Strata Surety adds a financial backstop against special levies beyond the protections already provided under NSW strata law.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

Joel Robinson

Buying with confidence: What NSW apartment buyers should check beyond the defect headlines

Too often, heritage buildings become the podium for a contemporary tower. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/623-collins-607-623-collins-street-melbourne-vic-3000">623 Collins</a>, <a>Sterling Global</a> challenged its design team to reverse that process.

The brief to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> was deliberately simple: "Don't design around the heritage. Design from it." It became the philosophy behind a project that draws inspiration not only from two landmark heritage buildings, but from Collins Street itself, a street layered with architectural history and civic significance.

That philosophy has shaped one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a> CBD's most considered residential projects, where the 1924 State Savings Bank and neighbouring Batman's Hill Hotel have become the architectural foundation for 623 Collins rather than remnants preserved beneath a new development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372749]

Rather than approaching the site as a blank canvas, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sterling-global">Sterling Global</a> saw the existing buildings as the beginning of the story.

"Sites like this rarely become available," the developer said.

"623 Collins wasn't simply an opportunity to develop a prominent CBD site. It was an opportunity to restore and reimagine one of Melbourne's important heritage landmarks while contributing to the continued evolution of Collins Street. For us, the existing buildings weren't constraints. They were the beginning of the story."

Instead of mimicking the ornate heritage architecture, Plus Studio studied the proportions, rhythm and craftsmanship of the original buildings before translating those characteristics into a contemporary 42-storey tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372748]

"The brief challenged us to create a contemporary landmark that respected Melbourne's architectural history without becoming nostalgic," Plus Studio said.

"Rather than mimicking heritage, we sought to understand its proportions, rhythm and material language before translating those qualities into a distinctly contemporary architectural expression."

The practice says the State Savings Bank and Batman's Hill Hotel became the project's primary source of inspiration, allowing the heritage buildings and contemporary architecture to exist "in conversation rather than contrast." Generous planted terraces further soften the transition between old and new, creating elevated green spaces while reinforcing the dialogue between the restored podium and the contemporary tower.

That dialogue continues throughout the interiors, where Melbourne designer Fiona Lynch developed a material palette inspired by the idea of alchemy, balancing contrasting materials that reference both the Neo-Grec detailing of the original bank and contemporary urban living. The result is a series of spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=354343]

The project will deliver 316 residences across four collections, Heirloom, Signature, Reserve and the Penthouse Collection, with each responding differently to its position within the building, from the restored heritage podium through to the upper levels of the tower. The Heirloom Residences retain defining heritage elements including original heritage windows, generous proportions and high ceilings, while the tower introduces contemporary homes with expansive layouts and elevated views.

Amenities have likewise been designed to support long-term city living rather than short-stay convenience. Residents will have access to concierge services, wellness facilities including a pool, cold plunge, sauna, steam room and gym, alongside private lounges, entertaining spaces and dedicated resident clubs.

Sterling Global says that approach is resonating with buyers seeking permanence rather than novelty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=354347]

According to the sales team, purchasers are looking for enduring architecture, generous floorplans, heritage character and long-term value, with many commenting that 623 Collins "doesn't feel like another apartment development" because of the way the architecture has been curated around the site's history.

Situated on the prominent corner of Collins and Spencer streets, the project occupies one of Melbourne's most recognisable gateway sites, marking the western entrance to the city's best-known street. For Sterling Global, it also reflects a broader shift in city-making.

"Rather than maximising development yield, the project embraces adaptive reuse as a design philosophy, allowing heritage to inform architecture, interiors and the overall resident experience," the developer said.

"The result is a building that feels uniquely connected to Melbourne."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145324]

How Sterling Global designed 623 Collins from Melbourne's history

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374394]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374399]

Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374393]

Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152069]

Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

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

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

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A Chinese developer has snapped up an open plan office in the Melbourne CBD for $1.26 million.
The 420 square metre office suite is located at 20 Queen Street and features a boardroom and executive offices.
Tom Tuxworth, Chris Pharr and Ed Wright of CBRE Strata Projects negotiated the sale.
The agents said the property attracted an unprecedented level of buyer enquiry, with five expressions of interest to purchase.
The sale price equated to a rate of $3,000 per square metre.
Tuxworth said the new owner planned to use the property as its new Melbourne headquarters.
“Offshore developers who have been highly active in purchasing large development sites in the Melbourne CBD are now looking for commercial office space for their headquarters,” Mr Tuxworth said.
“Offshore groups are now competing with local owner occupiers and investors, resulting in competitive buyer demand and strong prices consistently achieved.” 
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Chinese developer buys Melbourne CBD office

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South Australian law firm Mellor Olsson has signed a six year lease at 80 King William Street in Adelaide's CBD. 
The lease is over two entire levels of office space, equating to 1,432 square metres.
CBRE’s Andrew Bahr negotiated the lease deal on behalf of lessor 80 KWS Investments Pty Ltd. 
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Mellor Olsson lease two floors of King Street, Adelaide office

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A logistics company has secured 80 square metres of office space at Cannon Hill in the Australian Trade Coast precinct in Brisbane’s east.
APL Pty Ltd has signed a 2+1 year lease, at 4/1155 Wynnum Road, on a gross rental of $32,800 per annum plus GST and outgoings.
Rhiannon Jones of Ray White Commercial Brisbane Trade Coast negotiated the lease.
Jones said: "This property offers 80 square metres of office space including a reception area and a boardroom on the first floor of a prominently located building."
Jones also leased an adjoining 60 square metres office for three years, at a gross rental of $25,500 per annum. The lease starts in August. 
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Logistics firm sign Cannon Hill, Brisbane lease

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Axios IT has leased a 327 square metre office suite in the heart of Adelaide's CBD. 
The firm has committed to a three-year term, at 44 Currie Street, on a rental of $375 per square metre gross.
The lessor of the B-grade office suite is South Australian architecture firm Hartect Pty Ltd.
CBRE’s Michael Pfitzner negotiated the leasing. 
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Axios IT lease Adelaide CBD office space

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Retailer, developers and owner occupiers are tipped to line up for the sale of a large retail super site in Melbourne's surf coast town of Torquay, which expected to sell for more than $8 million plus. 
Located on Surf Coast Highway, the super site forms Stage 3 of the West Coast Business Park in Torquay.
It is anchored by Bunnings Warehouse, with the retail component complemented by 43 commercial and industrial lots.
Colliers International’s Tom Noonan and Andrew Lewis, in conjunction with DTZ Australia’s Nicholas Bourke and Patrick O’Callaghan, have been appointed to sell a 4.9 hectare property.
<img src="/images/2014/05/07/3.jpg" alt="">
Shell Coles Express and a car wash are pre-committed to the development and will take about 5,600 square metres at the southern end of the site.
“Having two pre-sales contracts to both Shell Coles Express and the car wash provide the eventual purchaser with certainty of income once the construction commences as well as providing a strong anchor for this final stage,” Mr Noonan said.
The development sits opposite the site of the new $26.5 million Torquay Secondary School and $44 million Surf Coast Civic &amp; Community Centre.
Recent sales in the area included the sale of a Bunnings Warehouse on Beacon Boulevard in Torquay for $11.2million, while Coles snapped up the Torquay Central Shopping Centre at 41 Bristol Road for $14 million.
Expressions of interest close June 12. 
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Torquay retail super site expected to fetch $8 million plus

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Two freehold hotels in the Bowen region in central coastal Queensland have been listed for sale.
The two hotels - The Denison Hotel, at 55 Powell Street, Bowen, and the Merinda Village Hotel, at 13 Linley Street, Merinda (pictured above) are being offered for sale individually or in one line. 
The hotels are being offered through Leon Alaban and Sean Dollar of Ray White Hotels Australia.
“The owners of the respective hotels believe in the region and its growth potential and would also consider joint venture partners”, said Mr Alaban.
Rebuilt in 1984 after being destroyed by fire, The Denison Hotel sits on a site area of about 3,052 square metres and features a lounge bar, nightclub and a gaming room with 40 EGMs. It also has a drive through bottle shop, a commercial kitchen, storage and office areas.
"The hotel, one of the best performing in the region, also operates a detached bottle shop in the Woolworths and Target Country anchored shopping centre”, he added.
Located some 8km north of Bowen, the Merinda Village Hotel, has asite area of about 12,628 square metres, had a QHA award-winning $6 million refurbishment completed in 2010. It consists of a public bar, bistro and TAB and features a high quality purpose built function and conference centre.
“The site has 48 accommodation rooms and there is a current development approval in place for an additional 96 units plus a 12 room motel", add Mr Dollar.
“The vendor will also consider all genuine offers on a joint venture scenario.”
Expressions of interest must close 28 May. 
Photo courtesy of Facebook.
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Two Bowen, Queensland freehold hotels listed for sale

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The groundwork is being set for a recovery in the retail market in second half of the year, with rents holding steady in the March quarter.
New figures released by JLL showed that retail rents stabilised for the second quarter in a row, having declined by 0.4% over the prior 12 months.
JLL’s head of retail, property and asset management, Tony Doherty, said: “JLL Research figures for March show market rents were stable across the main shopping centre categories for the second consecutive quarter despite the recent acceleration in retail turnover growth."
Data from the Australian Bureau Statistics showed that retail turnover growth accelerated from 3% last September to 4.9% in February. That uplift in spending, Mr Doherty pointed out was consistent with what it was seeing across the JLL-managed shopping centre portfolio.
JLL’s national retail analyst, Andrew Quillfeldt added that the acceleration in retail sales growth had now been underway for the past six months and "this will flow through to leasing demand after the usual time lag".
“Containing costs and managing the effects of discounting remain key challenges for many retailers, so we expect there to be limited rental growth in 2014, but the outlook beyond 2014 is becoming increasingly positive for the retail sector," he said.
A range of drivers such as retail turnover growth, household wealth and employment conditions, he said suggested leasing demand for retail space would gradually improve this year and "we are positive about the outlook for market conditions".
The report also highlighted that landlords and retailers are building for a recovery.
Specifically, it notes that total volume of projects under construction has been gradually increasing since 2009. Based on JLL's numbers, there were 881,000 square metres of retail floor space under construction as at Q1/2014.
In terms of the composition of the development pipeline of projects currently under construction, Mr Doherty said, the expansion of regional centres remained the largest share (32%). Neighbourhood centres accounted for 19% and bulky goods category killer centres 25%.
A further 175,000 square metres began construction in Q1/2014.
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Retail set for recovery in second half of the year: JLL

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Recently, we’ve been treated to quite a few new, international entrants to the fashion game who’ve come to our shores, the likes of Zara, Uniqlo, H&amp;M, Topshop, Forever New et al; the reality is, that’s only the start of it; it’s the first wave as it were; there’s more to come. Their trading figures are outstanding; in short they’re creaming it!
And the reason? Is it merely the market’s fascination with anything foreign? The conception (or misconception), that if it comes from overseas it’s better? Or is it simply that it’s ‘new’, and when it comes to fashion, ‘new’ is about as good as it gets?
The ‘die hard stick in the muds’ will vehemently agree with one or all of the above; it’s always easier to blame something or someone else rather than taking it yourself. The truth is that these retailers are taking huge chunks of the market share from our traditional, home grown contingent, because they’re better retailers.
Retail goes in cycles. In Australia before the 1950s, the challenge was to get stock; if you could get it you could sell it. Great retailers became skilled at importing, at sourcing, even at manufacturing; they rose to the challenge and their success was legendary; names like David Jones, Anthony Hordern, Sydney Myer, Thomas Ahern, the Grace Brothers and countless others had built empires by the 1950s.
By the 1960s, the game had changed. Relatively speaking, sourcing stock wasn’t a problem but the public was tiring of same old, same old. They wanted new stuff and variety; they wanted choice; great retailers again rose to the challenge. The first Coles and Woolworths supermarkets came on the scene; Dick Smith opened his first store in Artarmon with less than $1,000 capital; the first Kmart in Australia opened as did the first Pizzeria.
By the 1970’s the challenge was distribution, retail systems, and sophistication in retail management. Craig Kimberley founded Just Jeans and grew it exponentially as he demonstrated that people wearing blue jeans could talk with business managers, accountants and bankers on an equal footing. Retail legends (and soon to become property investment legends) like John Gandel and Marc Beson of Sussans, Joseph Brender and Sam Moss of Katies and a host of others showed the investment and banking world that the term ‘frock shops’ didn’t describe their operations as they became some of the most powerful and influential business tycoons of the decade.
By the time the 1980s were in full swing, shopping centres were the order of the day (they’d arrived in the 1950s but hadn’t really got going until the mid ‘60s) and shop design, fit-outs, merchandise presentation, new labels, extremely sophisticated marketing, celebrity power, all took on new meanings. Consumer spending on a scale not seen before was the order of the day and the competition for it was fierce. Retailers were on a knife-edge, rents were spiralling; the need for efficiency was fundamental. Australian specialty retailers, when measured on a scale of turnover per square metre (or square foot as was in those days) were the best performing in the world.
You could go on, right up to around 2000 to 2005 when the wheels started to fall off.
Australian retail in the last decade or so hasn’t done very much; it’s stagnated somewhat. The challenges have been there but the retailers (unlike their forebears) have failed to rise.
Take the big boys for example. David Jones is pretty tired these days; service is atrocious, merchandising is behind the times and the ‘same old, same old’ is alive and well once again. Try getting attention in David Jones on a Saturday in the bedding department; and it’s not the fault of the staff, they’re flat out, there just aren’t enough of them. In the menswear department, the fitting rooms are like hen cages and go in after mid-day and the body odours are obnoxious. It’s just not a store for quality and service. And what does a marquee at Randwick Racecourse do for sales? I wonder how many extra staff in the bedding department could be paid with that expense.
We’ve just had the royals out; did they go into David Jones? In 1954 when the Queen came to Sydney, she had a state banquet in the DJ restaurant! OK, times were different then; but the royals we’ve just had weren’t the Queen; they were lower down so that evens it up!
Myer is travelling a bit better but it’s not crash hot either; DJ’s new owners will give them a real run for their money.
In the specialty stakes what’s new? Take out the foreign retailers and the answer is, ‘not much’.
There are exceptions. Harolds, the menswear operation is top notch; the service is exemplary and the presentation of the merchandise and the shop itself are world class. Guess what? They are trading! Been to Apple lately – now that’s service. Gerry Harvey is complaining as always, but he’s making a profit; he’s a great retailer and he’s never forgotten the basics. JB HiFi is another classic exception, a great retailer doing it properly.
The most interesting feature of the new brand of international retailers becomes apparent when you look at exactly what it is they are doing; analyse it and its illuminating; they’re just paying attention to the fundamentals of retail.
Their shops are attractive; people like the new large formats for a start. No difference at all to when Country Road announced some twenty years ago that it required larger stores. It was difficult; they were trail blazing; landlords objected. Country Road persisted and finally won out. They compromised a little on ‘extent’ and shopping centre owners compromised on ‘rates’; simple market forces.
So it’s larger formats, attractive shops and very fresh ideas in fit-outs. It’s also better service, better pricing and a wider variety. It’s also value for money (or a perception of) and a healthy respect for the market as well as a well-researched and intuitive knowledge of it. It’s packaging, advertising, marketing and image creation. It’s dealing with the new communication world, influencing it and being an integral part of it. In other words, it’s adhering to the basics of retail. It’s not rocket science; it’s just about buying and selling stuff!
For the last decade or so, the vast majority of Australian retailers have treaded water; the nonsense talked about the global financial crises, the threat of the internet, the power of the landlords and whatever else they come up with shows a marked move towards finding excuses rather than rising to challenges.
Good retailers will always do well. In order to do well, you need to stick to the knitting, focus on the fundamentals. If you want another opinion, ask Joseph Brender, Sam Moss, John Gandel, Marc Beson, Craig Kimberley, Dick Smith……………
Michael Lloyd is publisher of <a href="https://shoppingcentrenews.com.au/" target="_blank">Shopping Centre News</a>.
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Retailers need to stick to the fundamentals

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Agent: Andrew Fife <img src="/images/2014/05/05/fife-may-5-breakout.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Position: Industrial sales and leasing executive
Company: Colliers International
Office location: Perth
How long have you been in the industry?
Six years.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
We are seeing a correction in the market as a result of more stock, both for sale and for lease, becoming available.  Leasing is steady and deals are still being done with some incentives creeping into offers, but this is coming off an incentive base of nil. The sales sector is still being dominated by the owner-occupier market, as most properties are being offered for sale with vacant possession. Enquiry is very solid for investment-grade stock.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold?
Probably an irregular-shaped parcel of land which was directly under the flight path of approximately one commercial plane every 15 minutes. The planes flew directly overhead and so close to the property we had to wear ear plugs during inspections.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Doing the basics right all the time – managing relationships with existing clients, but always looking to develop new relationships to instigate new business. Delivering on what you say, understanding the market and your client’s needs. 
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Doing deals, but also delivering a result where you can see the client is pleased with what you have been able to achieve.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
I’d give it to PrimeWest – a property syndicator.
Which football team do you support?
West Coast.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget? 
Footy Live
How do you use social media?
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-fife/64/812/856" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> to see what shenanigans Shane Warne is up to.
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In profile: Colliers International's industrial sales and leasing executive, Andrew Fife

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Yesterday’s decision at the monthly Reserve Bank of Australia meeting to keep interest rates on hold was unsurprising. However, the response to this period of stability, with a focus largely on next week's budget announcements, has been fascinating.
Housing Industry Association economist, Geordan Murray, said that recent commentary from RBA officials had everyone expecting the no-change result of yesterday, however said that the statement suggests the board’s confidence has been buoyed by positive developments in the household sector. This was, as <a href="/expert-insights/finance/strong-expansion-in-housing-construction-expected-rba-governor-glenn-stevens">you can read in Glenn Stevens’ speech yesterday</a>, largely related to strong leading indicators for residential construction.
Murray noted that it’s the strength of the labour market that is now at the forefront of the Board’s concerns “although the statement belies a confidence that the accommodative monetary policy settings will enable conditions to improve within the foreseeable future”.
Similarly, the strength of the Australian currency struck Murray as something the Board is watching closely, however there is “no sense of urgency” as it sits a level lower than a year ago.
Mortgage Choice spokesperson Jessica Darnbrough explained that inflation is sitting comfortably within the target range, with positive employment data and property prices now climbing modestly.
However, despite this, it appears some are more concerned about increases in the near future than others – while most are now turning their attention to the budget.
“There is no doubt rates will climb eventually, but right now they are sitting at historically low levels. So for those potential borrowers who have the means to get onto the property ladder, now may be a good time to do so,” she said.
CEO of RateCity, Alex Parsons, said that consumers should not be complacent in today’s low-rate environment.
“We're at record low interest rates so over time they are only likely to go up so make sure you can afford to withstand some increases in interest rates,” Parsons explained.
“The second thing is we've heard a lot from the government in the recent few weeks around the prudent budget and so that is going to hit people in the back pocket I would suspect,” he said.
REINSW president Malcolm Gunning also said that it’s the budget that has the attention.
“We are not surprised by the RBA's choice to leave interest rates in a holding pattern. All eyes are now on the federal budget, which could have wide implications for Australians and the future direction of interest rates,” he said.
“While the housing market remains firm, we watch with interest the delivery of the budget, the high Australian dollar and rising unemployment levels which could negatively influence consumer confidence,” Gunning explained.
While Laing+Simmons’ general manager Leanne Pilkington also said that we should now be looking more closely at the changes to be made next week, with the finer details of foreshadowed changes to taxation to be identified.
“While many young people struggle to build a suitable deposit, many existing mortgage holders are struggling to meet repayments, and pensioners have also been put on alert,” warned Pilkington.
“There is general acknowledgment that next week's budget must be tough, however it is important that Government supports those already in a precarious financial position,” she said.
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