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.

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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.

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<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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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<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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Knight Frank has bolstered its South Sydney industrial team, appointing Daniel O'Brien as a director.
O’Brien has over 15 years’ experience in the property industry and extensive experience across the commercial sales and leasing markets in South Sydney and the city fringe.
In his previous role, he was employed by CBRE as the head of its commercial division in the South Sydney office since 2005. He was with CBRE for 10 years. 
Knight Frank’s national director of industrial, Mr Eugene Evgenikos, said that O'Brien brought across  extensive experience and knowledge in the South Sydney market and would focus primarily on business space/commercial leasing and freestanding site sales.
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Knight Frank appoint new director to South Sydney industrial team

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A private investor has outlaid $12.2 million for a freestanding office/warehouse facility in Lidcombe in Sydney's west.
Located at 42 Birnie Avenue, the modern warehouse has a site area of 13,850 square  metres and a building area of 8,069 square metres.
The property comprises two units, with unit 1 featuring a modern three story freestanding office building, ground floor cafe and a high clearance warehouse to the rear.  The total area of unit 1 is 5,229 square metres.
The second unit 2 is a two-story office building with attached high clearance warehouse. The total area of unit 2 is 2,794 square metres. 
The vendor was TH &amp; TH Chung.
The sale was negotiated by Adam Micola of Savills Industrial .
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Lidcombe, Sydney office/warehouse fetches $12.2 million

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A strata-titled commercial property at Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast has sold under the hammer for $1.1 million.
A local investor purchased the 5/5 Gibson Road property on a yield of about 8.77%. 
John Petralia and Paul Forrest of Ray White Commercial Noosa negotiated the sale on behalf of local business owners.
The 395 square metre property is leased to Jetts Fitness Noosa, which has five years remaining on its current lease. The gym operator is paying net rental of about $96,500 per annum.
Mr Petralia said the marketing campaign for the property attracted about 40 enquiries with one offer to purchase prior to auction.
“With official interest rates at record lows and growing consumer confidence, the moral of this story if you are considering a property that is going to auction make sure you are in position to bid,” he said.
Commercial property yields, he added, were currently ranging between eight to 10%, almost double residential investment yields.
“There is a significant amount of money, including self- managed superannuation funds, chasing quality commercial properties,” said Mr Petralia. 
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Noosaville commercial property sells for $1.1 million under the hammer

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A warehouse unit in the Bibra Lake industrial precinct south of Perth has been sold for $240,000. 
The 4/84 Barberry Way property offered total floor space of about 144 square metres, including a mezzanine level and was built in 2008. The vendor was Belregis Pty Ltd.
Chad Parham and Mathew Garbin of Ray White Commercial Perth were the selling agents.  
The purchaser was a local owner/occupier. 
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Local owner-occupier buys Bibra Lake, Perth warehouse unit

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One of Melbourne's most prominent high streets, Church Street in Brighton, has attracted two national retailers to the area - Trenery and Bonds Kids. 
Trenery, a subsidiary of Country Road Limited, has secured more than 700 square metres at 46a Church Street (pictured above), while Bonds Kids, a subsidiary of Pacific Brands, is opening a store at 40B Church Street.
It is understood the Trenery tenancy is the first Victorian suburban stand-alone store as part of a select roll out of stores under the guidance of the Country Road group.
The premises were previously occupied by Browns Bakery and returned about $86,000 per annum, however Trenery have committed to a rental close to $135,000 per annum. “The space has now been transformed into an ultra-modern tenancy and is regarding as one the most impressive in the street,” said Fitzroys senior associate and leasing agent, Mark Talbot.
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/x-apple-data-detectors://4">40B Church St</a> lease to Bonds Kids is smaller in size but attracted a rental close to $100,000.
“Previously occupied by Stride-Rite, Bonds Kids have also completed a high-end fit out of their new premises, which is sure to rival other children’s wear operators within the street,” Mr. Talbot said.
The Bonds Kids group was currently undertaking a rapid expansion into a select number of shopping strips with, Fitzroys also brokering the lease to Bonds Kids at the Malvern Road, Hawksburn.
The rent payable for Malvern Road store tenancy is believed to be about $90,000 per annum.
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National retailers drawn to Church Street, Brighton

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Sushing - the owners of Sushi Train - is opening its popular Japanese eatery in the North Lakes Central mixed development site in Brisbane.
The company has leased 116 square metres, at shop 102 in North Lakes Central, for 10 years. The outlet and restaurant opens in June.
The lease was handled by Ray White Commercial Brisbane Northside’s Robert Rey and Ellie McGovern.
“This will be the first Sushi Train and Japanese restaurant opening in North Lakes outside of the Westfield Shopping Centre, giving people a convenient location to dine for lunch and dinner,” Mr Rey said.
“We are also looking for another restaurant of similar size to join this restaurant strip.”
North Lakes Central is 25 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD and the development will aim to provide residents and workers in the fast growing North Lakes area with a mix of restaurants, retail and offices all situated in the one building.
Sushing has secured the North Lakes Central tenancy for a net rental of $62,110 per annum.
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Sushi Train owners opening new store in North Lakes Central development, Brisbane

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Automotive Brands has leased a warehouse facility in the outer Brisbane suburb of Willawong to accommodate its expanding operations. 
The property, at 26 Industrial Crescent, sits within the Acacia Link Business Park and is owned and operated by Goodman. It features a near new 9,712 square metre warehouse building, which has high bay storage areas, office space and internal clearances of at least 10.4 metres. 
CBRE’s Peter Turnbull negotiated the lease deal on behalf of vendor Goodman. Automotive Brands - a division of Metcash Limited - signed a five-year term on the property. 
“This building is almost twice as large as the tenant’s current property in Coopers Plains, which will support and help expand Automotive Brands’ Brisbane operations,” Mr Turnbull said. 
The Acacia Link Business Park is 14 kilometres from the CBD, and benefits from a close proximity to the Logan Motorway, Beaudesert Road and the Ipswich Motorway. 
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Automotive Brands lease Willawong, Brisbane warehouse

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A 7,456 square metre industrial property situated within the Port Melbourne precinct, which currently undergoing urban renewal, has been listed for sale.
The 320 Plummer Street property is described as having a high profile position in the heart of the state government’s Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area Plan and offering a range of development opportunities.
The property features a high clearance warehouse totalling 3,110 square metres and an adjoining hardstand, which is in excess of 4,000 square metres in area, with the ability to be occupied immediately. It also has exposure and access to three street frontages. 
CBRE’s Harry Kalaitzis is marketing the property, in conjunction with colleague Dean Hunt.
The expressions of interest campaign closes on 21 May.
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Fishermans Bend, Port Melbourne industrial property listed

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The logistics and transport sectors have emerged as a shot in the arm for Melbourne' s industrial property market, in the wake of the departures of Ford and Toyota from the state.  
A new first half industrial market report from Colliers International titled Investors tighten their grip, said sectors such as direct logistics and 3PL are filling the void created by the continued contraction of manufacturing in Melbourne, as the growing population demands goods, such as cars, that were once made locally and are now imported.
All those goods, it says, require land for and infrastructure for storage and transportation.
"In the northern industrial market, a number of major logistics users are currently in negotiations to lease around 120,000 square metres of space, while the west is now a hub for some of the largest distribution centres in the country", Colliers noted.
Other factors boding well for the city is the high population growth. In the year to September 2013, the city's population grew by 110,500. While the revitalisation of the residential market, particularly the land subdivision market, was also increasing demand in this sector, it added. 
With production of Toyota and Ford not due to fully cease until 2017, Colliers believes that the implications of the shutdown of the motor vehicle industry in Victoria may not be felt for some time.
However it estimates that about 260 hectares of land in total is due to be vacated by car manufacturers in Victoria, of which 205 hectares is in Melbourne itself.
It sees the greatest opportunity to be in Toyota’s site in Altona North, and Holden’s and Toyota’s sites in Port Melbourne.
"The Altona North market is notoriously tightly held, and it is expected that a number of industrial developers will be eyeing the opportunity to redevelop or redeploy the site for alternative manufactures uses", said the report.
The report also went into detail about the flow on effect to the parts manufacturers currently supplying parts to Ford and Toyota.
The south-east precinct is identified as having the highest concentration of impacted industrial space in Melbourne, at almost 370,000 square metres.
"Even though the south-east does not house any major manufacturers producing cars, there is a large parts supplier industry, which is a leftover relic of the days when Holden and others used to manufacture in the area".
 The Outer East also has about 270,000 square metres of space occupied by parts suppliers, the biggest of which is believed to be ANCA plant in Bayswater, which employs around 400 people.
"This plant also exports a large proportion of its product, and is expected to be largely unaffected by the local shutdowns," it added.
All up, Colliers estimates the car manufacturers and car suppliers occupy almost 1.6 million square metres of industrial space throughout Melbourne and Geelong. About 650,000 square metres of this space is occupied by the three  major manufacturers, leaving a further 950,000 square metres of space occupied by parts suppliers.
Colliers said it was difficult to quantify just how many of the parts suppliers would shut down and/or vacate their premises given that many now export their product and have divserified.
It estimates that about 30% of these parts suppliers will be able to survive in the long term.
"If this figure is correct, then about 665,000 square metres of space around Melbourne and Geelong could be vacated", it concluded.
"The biggest impact will be in the south-east and outer east, as these have more scattered plants, and no large manufacturing sites that could be converted to other uses".
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Melbourne industrial market buoyed by logistics and transport sectors

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Behind the buildings that are our business in the commercial and industrial property sector, is the real value: our people.
No matter how much hard work goes into planning, design and construction, a building remains a liability without people; that is, the tenants.
I think our sector can lose sight of the reality that it’s the people who use a building that release the entrapped value in the building.
And while they may be our “tenants” or our “customers”, the reality is that they’re people first, and we all know people value relationships that go beyond the transaction.
We believe the old business saying that the ‘customer you have is the one you want to hold onto’ is a cornerstone for success.
It’s more difficult and costly to get new customers than to retain existing ones.
Our strategy is to retain existing customers – our “tenants”.
We systematically travel the country to meet tenants face-to-face, respecting both their time and their businesses.
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The core of our business is maintaining relationships and keeping tenants happy - and keeping them in our buildings.
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We ensure our tenants can focus on running their businesses rather than stepping outside their expertise. We deal with the complex property processes for them, because that’s our area of expertise.
And no matter where they are on the leasing cycle – 10 years out or just months to expire – we value and deliver the same standard of service.
Putting relationships first builds trust and that means we can move quickly, act decisively and confidently. Our confidence gives others confidence and in turn drives their success.
To explain, less than 12 months ago Quintessential Equity acquired a five level commercial building with a net lettable area of 7,129 square metres at 166 Epping Road, Lane Cove West in Sydney.
The building was 20% unoccupied and had been for some time. Our immediate priority was to attract new tenants, but to do this we had to make significant enhancements. 
Within the first month our engineers had assessed the building’s condition and discussed enhancements with existing tenants, based on their needs.
A year after settling on the property in April 2013, occupancy is now 97.75%.
If you don’t have tenants, your building can quickly become a liability and your asset can enter financial distress. 
The core of our business is maintaining relationships and keeping tenants happy - and keeping them in our buildings.
This is a very simple philosophy, but it pays dividends to us.
And it will be how we continue to run our business regardless of the ups and downs, because it is what we believe.
Shane Quinn is director of <a href="https://www.quintessential.com.au/" target="_blank">Quintessential Equity</a>.
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