IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Joel Robinson

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Abadeen has released the whole-floor penthouse crowning its recently completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences</a> development in Cremorne, bringing the near-300 sqm residence to market for the first time.

Occupying the entire top floor of the boutique Lower North Shore development, the penthouse includes 221 sqm of internal living and a 74 sqm wraparound terrace, with a prized north-facing aspect taking in views across Middle Harbour.

The residence has been completed and fully furnished following a collaboration between Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown and internationally recognised interior designer Jack Freeman, Founder and Managing Director of FREEMAN &amp; CO.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and Freeman approached the penthouse as a finished home, sourcing furniture, artwork, lighting and objects from Australia and overseas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378718]

Pieces from Parisian design house Pierre Augustin Rose sit alongside contemporary artworks and bespoke lighting, with Freeman drawing on recent visits to PAD Paris and Salone del Mobile Milano for the final collection.

Brown said the aim was to create a penthouse that felt more like a large-scale private home than a traditional apartment.

"The experience begins the moment the lift doors open. You're welcomed into an elegant dining room before the home opens into an extraordinary living space framed by sun-drenched harbour views.

"Every time someone walks through the front door they pause. It's not just the view, it's the incredible sense of space, the warmth created by the northern sunlight that fills the interiors, and the way every room connects so effortlessly.

"It has all the proportions of a luxury home, while delivering the effortless lifestyle and personalised experience of living in a world-class six-star hotel, combined with the simplicity and convenience of apartment living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378713]

A secure lift provides exclusive access to the penthouse level, opening to a dedicated arrival foyer and dining area before the residence expands into its main living and entertaining spaces.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing runs across the northern side of the home, connecting the interiors with the terrace and Middle Harbour outlook.

The penthouse also features a fireplace and substantial chef's kitchen, while the wraparound terrace has been designed to accommodate both everyday outdoor living and larger-scale entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378720]

Freeman said the interiors had been deliberately kept restrained to complement the scale, natural light and outlook already established by the architecture.

"The penthouse is a serene study in quiet luxury," Freeman said.

"The interior pairs soft, sculptural forms with warm timber, pale stone and a restrained neutral palette. Curated artwork and metallic accents add depth, while abundant natural light creates a calm, effortlessly refined atmosphere. In my world, less is always more."

Freeman said the approach was centred around collecting individual pieces rather than simply decorating the apartment.

"Every material, every object and every piece of furniture has been curated with intention. I am a true believer in collecting versus decorating.

"The architecture already provided extraordinary natural light, remarkable volume and an uninterrupted connection to Middle Harbour. Our role was to complement those qualities with unique one-of-a-kind pieces of fine art and collectible design sourced from recent travels around the world."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378694]

Among the collection are solid bronze sculptures by Lorenzo Quinn, alongside a curated crystalware collection and pieces sourced from international design fairs.

Park Residences sits opposite Cammeray Golf Club, Cammeray Croquet Club and Grand Slam Tennis Cammeray, around 300 metres from Neutral Bay Village and its established collection of restaurants, cafés and retail.

Brown said the combination of a whole-floor floorplan, northern aspect and proximity to Neutral Bay was becoming increasingly difficult to find on the Lower North Shore.

"Completed whole-floor penthouses with a sun-drenched north-facing aspect and sweeping Middle Harbour views are exceptionally rare," Brown said.

"Add a quiet position opposite golf, croquet and tennis facilities, a level walk to Neutral Bay Village and only minutes to the CBD, and you have a lifestyle that's incredibly difficult to replicate.

"This is a home that offers the privacy and generosity of a luxury residence together with the convenience of one of Sydney's best-connected harbourside locations."

The penthouse will be exclusively marketed by SRM Residential.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=114246]

Abadeen unveils penthouse at Park Residences in Cremorne

Abbotsford

Salta Properties has announced the topping out and completion of the main structural works at its riverfront development, Walmer, at 649 Victoria Street, Abbotsford.

Prominent builders, Hamilton Marino have been tasked with constructing the Yarra River bend development, which will deliver an unrivalled living experience, according to Salta Managaing Director, Sam Tarascio.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3475 project_image_fid=150827]

&ldquo;This milestone marks another achievement for Walmer, which has seen strong interest largely from owner occupier purchasers throughout construction, bringing the development to 65 per cent sold,&rdquo; he said.

Tarascio attributes the popularity of the development to its luxurious offerings, which are the work of revered architects, Bates Smart, along with the site&rsquo;s prime river frontage.

&ldquo;Walmer is a reminder of what true sophistication is, weaving hotel-like splendour into the development&rsquo;s natural urban river sanctuary, creating contemporary and luxurious comforts that are sympathetic to its natural surrounds,&rdquo; Tarascio added.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3475 project_image_fid=150789]

The project recently received a Commendation for Design Excellence at The Urban Development Institute of Australia&#39;s (UDIA) Awards, due in part to Walmer&rsquo;s focus in delivering flexible spaces that can pivot and flex to suite a wide buyer type.

Salta has also refined the project, amalgamating apartments from the initial 75 that were proposed, to now 61.

Standing as a threshold between the vibrancy of Victoria Street and the tranquillity of the Yarra River corridor, Walmer&rsquo;s resort-style, nature-influenced experience offers an impressive list of premium amenities, including a porte-cochere entrance, a climate-controlled room for wine-tasting and storage, a complete health and wellness suite including a 25-metre swimming pool overlooking the river, a fully equipped gymnasium, steam room, sauna, treatment room, as well as business and resident dining facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3475 project_image_fid=150816]

Communal areas will also be fitted out with some of the country&rsquo;s best designer&rsquo;s pieces, including Melbourne-based lighting designer, Christopher Boots luxury furniture from Jarden and Kett Furniture, as well as unique photography from Brooke Holmes&rsquo; featuring her famous dramatic Australian landscapes.

Taking Walmer to another level is the integrated building management platform, WE Wumbo, which will provide peace of mind services and communication, adding another layer of luxury to the already impressive project.

Residents of Walmer are expected to take up residence in early 2023, with a limited number of riverfront apartments remaining, ranging from $600,000 to $5,250,000.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=93757]

Prominent builders, Hamilton Marino have been tasked with constructing the Yarra River bend development, which will deliver an unrivalled living experience, according to Salta Managaing Director, Sam Tarascio.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

Salta Properties top out Yarra River apartment development, Walmer

Residents of Riverbank in Melbourne&#39;s Abbotsford have one of the most enviable addresses.

On the banks of the Yarra River, the Salta Properties development on Victoria Street&nbsp;has been designed by SJB Architects, in collaboration with Carr Design, to&nbsp;blend&nbsp;luxury riverfront living with inner-city residency.

Capturing the curves of the Yarra below, Riverbank is part of The Park House, which are&nbsp;two complementing buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=194167]

Perfectly positioned on the winding banks, Riverbank residents get&nbsp;direct access to the Capital City Bike Trail which runs alongside the Yarra River for almost 20 kilometres providing walking, running and cycling paths that connect Richmond and Abbotsford to the CBD and through Yarra Bend Park to Kew and Collingwood.

Located not far from the well-known&nbsp;Skipping Girl commercial building and across from Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, Riverbank is positioned to enjoy the best Abbotsford has to offer.

The popular shopping strip on Glenferrie Road in Kew is a five-minute drive, while Xavier College is just seven-minutes by tram. The tram stop, on the doorstep of Riverbank, offers a convenient commute, while&nbsp;North Richmond station just a short walk away.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=194168]

Swan Street wine bar and The Ugly Duckling is five-minutes away from the building, while dining is on the door of The Park House, with Victoria Street and Bridge Road restaurants all within walking distance.

Slightly further afield is&nbsp;the Southgate precinct and Crown Casino, just 10-minutes by car. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=194166]

Riverbank residents also get extensive amenity in the development.

The sustainable 6+ energy rated building&nbsp;features a number of resident-only amenities, including a swimming pool and gym, cinema, a lounge&nbsp;space, kid&#39;s playroom, bike workshop and even a vaunted golf simulation room.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=4136]

Capturing the curves of the Yarra River below, The Park House’s avant-garde design includes two apartment buildings, Riverbank and Riverbend, that individually complement and integrate with their surroundings.

On the banks of the Yarra River: What's around Riverbank, Abbotsford apartments

The importance of interior designers creating the spaces and details within apartments has never been more important to residential developers.

Salta Properties,&nbsp;one of Australia&#39;s largest privately owned companies, called in the very best for their residential development The Park House in Melbourne&#39;s Abbotsford.

Carr, led by the design guru Sue Carr, handled the interiors at The Park House, the Victoria Street development made up of&nbsp;two buildings, Riverbank and Riverbend. They are named after their location, a stones throw from the Yarra River and bordering the popular Main Yarra Trail.

Urban recently spoke with the interior design guru Sue Carr, discussing all of the design elements of Riverbank.

JR: What was the brief from Salta for the interiors of the apartments?

SC: With every new project, we always begin by asking &ndash; what is the demographic of the purchaser? What is the lifestyle shift? Where is the location?

At Carr, we passionately believe that good architecture and design can enrich lives and make a difference to those that use and engage with it.

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Every project is unique, so we take into consideration the client, brief, place, cost plan and timing. All these factors combine to produce a response that has at its core, a powerful concept and a logical outcome. We call this the &lsquo;Big Idea&rsquo;, which remains with the project from end-to-end and guides the outcome.

With The Park House development, we looked at the location and the natural environment for inspiration. This was the &lsquo;Big Idea&rsquo;.

Surrounded by some of Melbourne&rsquo;s most animated and exciting precincts, the development sits on the banks of the Yarra Bend parklands, in a green belt framed by massive plane and gum trees.

One of the great aspects of this site is its proximity to the river and the bike paths that run along it. There is a spine that allows you to ride, run, row, or walk without seeing a major road. We love this idea of coming home after a long day at work and feeling like you have stepped away from the city and into the country. You can access stillness and natural beauty without having to abandon the excitement of a cosmopolitan urban lifestyle.

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In response, we wanted each home to be a private sanctuary. We wanted to create a warm and welcoming environment with textures and earthy tones.

For the design, we opted for a unified palette, where we used few materials as possible. This direction links all the individual spaces, creating a coherent overall offering achieved via subtle repetition of form, materiality, and texture.

The brief was not just to design beautiful apartments, but also address the vast amenities. The aim was to allow neighbouring residents to interact with one another, getting the most from the building in terms of comfort, entertainment and occupant wellbeing.

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JR: How early in the design phase do you and the architects collaborate? And why is earlier the better?

SC: The building fa&ccedil;ade reflects the ripples of the Yarra River. Although we did not literally carry this theme into the interiors like the architects, we responded to the site&rsquo;s natural surroundings with our own interpretation. Our materials, colours and textures respond to the immediate site context and its makeup.

JR: What really stands out for you about the design? What is your favourite feature?

SC: There is an understanding in our practice of the significance of detail in design. There are considered subtleties in The Park House that will unfold and come to be appreciated over time.

We really wanted the interiors &ndash; both public and private &ndash; to encourage people to slow down, to consider the spaces, and enjoy the transition from the street, bike path or car park, into their home. We wanted them to enjoy the process of switching off at the end of the day and engaging with their surroundings.

To achieve this, we created integrated lighting throughout each of the apartments and through the public walkways. It is subtle and soft.

In each apartment, we also designed a custom light that floats above the kitchen island bench. This provides a sculptural element to the interior while also projecting a soft, interesting light. The routed timber veneer in the joinery, adds another level of texture.

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Exaggerated proportions in the kitchen splashback highlight the scale of porcelain and create a grand sense of scale. Metal detailing to joinery in the kitchen and bathroom adds a refined aesthetic. Recessed LED lighting showcases the feature porcelain in the bathroom and kitchen

Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere. We want the residents to feel the connection with the landscape beyond, with the building and their apartment becoming a welcoming sanctuary for them to take in all this development has to offer.

JR: What part did you play in the design of the amenity? And what design principles were important in the shared spaces?

SC: The Park House has vast amenity. It offers spaces both inside and out for all purposes &ndash; relaxation, work, entertainment, solitude &ndash; and for all demographics. There is a children&rsquo;s area, a private lounge, a bar, a home theatre, a golf simulator, a pool, a spa &ndash; the list goes on and on.

While working with Salta, we were strongly informed by ideas about public and private space, and how these new emerging types of urban spaces are full of design possibilities.

For us, it was important that all these spaces seamlessly flow into one another. Many of the transitional spaces are dark and atmospheric, which ensures that as residents move into the light and open spaces, the sense of awe is enhanced by contrast.

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Animating the larger functional spaces is natural light, invited into the building as the sun moves across from the east to the west. These ever-changing light effects and connection to landscape combine to form remarkable spaces that lie somewhere between art, sculpture, and architecture. Larger format glazing frames the view beyond, maximising outlook.&nbsp;

Part of the beauty of this development is the way it negotiates opposites. There is an intentional contrast between light and dark material palette. Certain areas open to the surrounding landscape, with internal lounges spilling out onto alfresco terracing, leading down to the river. This encapsulates a luxurious sense of home, inviting the residents to settle into these more private but public amenity spaces. The amenities are the key to a truly unique lifestyle on the banks of the Yarra River.

On the flipside, darker spaces, such as the library and meeting rooms, employ a darker, masculine palette. These interiors are richly layered and create a warmth.

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"Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere," Carr said.

Inside the Carr Design interiors of Riverbank apartments in Abbotsford: Urban chats with Sue Carr

SJB are one of Australia&#39;s most sought-after architecture firms for anything from mutli-residential apartment developments to commercial towers and luxury home builds.

They&#39;ve got two studios, in Sydney as well as Melbourne, and have been the brains behind the likes of Crown&#39;s luxury Waterfall apartments in Sydney and Kings Domain in Southbank.

One of their most recent designed was the&nbsp;Abbotsford apartment development The Park House, developed by the renowned Salta Properties, with a major influence in the design being the building&#39;s proximity to the Yarra River.

Urban spoke to SJB&#39;s Michael Bialek, who headed up the design team for The Park House, to discuss how it was created.

What was the brief from Salta for The Park House, and then more specifically Riverbank? How did it need to differ from Riverbend?

Salta&rsquo;s brief for the The Park House project was to deliver a quality residential development as the final piece for the wider Yarra Gardens precinct.

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The project should provide significant improvements to the public realm through the provision of new visual and physical links from Victoria Street through to the Yarra River. Compromising over 500 apartments, the new buildings should respond positively to the landscaped character of the adjoining completed Green Square project and allow construction in stages towards the new proposed Walmer Plaza.

Riverbank addresses the &lsquo;urban edges&rsquo; of Victoria Street and Walmer Plaza, while Riverbend is less prominent &ndash; connected to the adjoining Green Square project and overlooking the bend in the Yarra River.

What were the most important features of the site/location which influenced your design?

The most important features of the site are the frontage to busy Victoria Street and the opportunity presented by the north-facing frontage to the Yarra River. These differing conditions resulted in building forms that have been shaped to respond to their location on the site and precinct planning that ensures a high quality public realm with enhanced amenity and connection to the Yarra River.

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Were there any other buildings&nbsp;you&#39;ve designed previously&nbsp;(or just seen) that influenced the design?

SJB was previously involved in the delivery of three residential projects fronting both Burnley Street and Victoria Street in the precinct. Each project has a distinctive aesthetic based on its orientation, typology and scale &ndash; townhouses fronting laneways, apartments along street frontages and common amenities surrounding landscaped courtyards.

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The buildings which are in close proximity to the retail complex Victoria Gardens, create a varied yet unified residential community which enjoys access to shopping facilities, public transport and riverfront recreation.

What were the biggest challenges of the design?

The challenges faced in the early design phase related mainly to the sensitive location of the site along the Yarra River.

Taller built forms were shaped so that the actual and apparent width of buildings were minimised when viewed from the river. These sculpted forms have been aligned generally to be perpendicular to the river corridor. Building separation, height and setback controls also influenced site planning and built form outcomes.

A two-tier river edge movement system was also incorporated into the master plan in order to maintain and enhance the &lsquo;natural&rsquo; river character at the lower level. A continuous bicycle connection is provided at this lower level while a more active &lsquo;urban&rsquo; character is created at the upper level with new pedestrian connections from the river to Shamrock, Walmer and Davison Streets.

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What interested you about the project?

The most interesting aspect of the project was the opportunity and challenge to provide significant improvements to the public realm and amenity for new occupants and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Unlocking this parcel of land formally occupied by the Melbourne Fire Brigade was a significant achievement by the project team, delivered through the provision of new public spaces and connections to the Yarra River.

What part of the design were you most proud/most interested in seeing when it&nbsp;was completed?

SJB is able to look back with pride at its role in the delivery of a series of residential projects in the precinct, which were successfully adopted by the marketplace over several years. The area has been transformed into a &lsquo;new neighbourhood&rsquo; with an improved public realm and new connections to the Yarra River.

In The Park House project, residential amenity is of high quality. Planning of apartments provide significant northerly outlook over the natural landscape of the river setting while common facilities are well located and generous. The aspirational planning principles for the site have been delivered while the residential character and amenity of the buildings are both innovative and responsive to this unique setting.

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How closely do you work with Carr Design when creating the apartments? 

SJB &amp; Carr Design worked collaboratively during the design phases of the project, with extensive briefing sessions determining the aspirations for both teams. The interior design of apartments and common areas was to respond to the architectural character of each building. Particular attention was paid to the extensive recreational facilities including swimming pools, lounges, playrooms and entry lobbies.

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Urban spoke to SJB's Michael Bialek, who headed up the design team for The Park House, to discuss how it was created.



How we designed Riverbank apartments in Abbotsford: Urban chats with SJB's Michael Bialek 

Last month the Victorian government ended their stamp duty concessions for off the plan and brand new apartments statewide.&nbsp;

They continue to offer savings for new apartments up to $1 million only in the Melbourne CBD, but those outside of the CBD will revert back to paying full stamp duty.

Discerning developers who are either constructing or have completed apartments outside of the City of Melbourne LGA have continued to offer the stamp duty concessions in an attempt to lure buyers.

The property developer Salta Properties is offering to stump up 50 per cent of stamp duty for buyers in their Abbotsford apartment development, Riverbank.

Buyers can save between $11,000 and $20,000 on stamp duty in the recently completed Victoria Street project on the banks of the Yarra River, less than four kilometres outside of the city. The concessions are on offer until 30th September 2021.

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One-bedroom apartments start from $505,000 and two-bedroom apartments from $740,000.

The nine-level building has been designed by SJB Architects and is finished with interiors by Sue Carr at Carr Design Group. It is one of two buildings at The Park House, each with their own amenities, with the adjoining Riverbend apartments part of the development.

&ldquo;Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere,&rdquo; Sue Carr said.

&ldquo;We want the purchasers to feel a connection with the landscape.&rdquo;

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Each apartment has Gaggeneau appliances in the kitchen, engineered oak floors and marble-effect stone.&nbsp;

The sustainable 6+ energy rated development includes a number of resident only amenities, including a swimming pool, sauna and gym, cinema, a lounge and library space, meeting room, kids play hut, bike workshop and even a golf simulation room.

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Riverbank – The Park House is the latest completed development out of Salta Properties, one of few offering buyers stamp duty savings beyond the governments own which expired June 30.

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Buyers offered 50% stamp duty savings at Salta Properties Riverbank apartments in Abbotsford

Apartment buyers at Riverbank, the recently completed Abbotsford development on the banks of the Yarra River, will pay $0 stamp duty if they secure an apartment&nbsp;before June 30*.

The Melbourne development firm Salta Properties,&nbsp;one of Australia&#39;s largest privately owned companies, is matching the VIC government&#39;s 50 per cent stamp duty savings, which end at the end of June.

Riverbank&#39;s one- and two-bedroom apartments fall in to the criteria for stamp duty savings, only applied to apartments&nbsp;under $1 million.

The one-bedroom apartments at Riverbank&nbsp;start from $505,000, and two-bedrooms from $740,000.

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The nine-level building has been designed&nbsp;by&nbsp;SJB&nbsp;Architects and is finished with interiors by&nbsp;Sue Carr&nbsp;at&nbsp;Carr Design Group.

&ldquo;Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere,&quot; Carr says.

&quot;We want the purchasers to feel the connection with the landscape beyond, with the building and their apartment becoming a welcoming sanctuary for them to take in all this development has to offer.&rdquo;

Each apartment has a sustainable 6+ energy rating and features Gaggeneau appliances in the kitchen, engineered oak floors and marble-effect stone.&nbsp;

Riverbank&nbsp;is one of two buildings at The Park House.&nbsp;

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Set on the Yarra River, Riverbank &ndash; The Park House is located near the&nbsp;Yarra Trail, Boat House and Tea Garden and Melbourne&rsquo;s best open-access golf course, Yarra Bend, around the corner.

The short commute to the city is convenient for residents, with&nbsp;tram routes 12 and 109 on the doorstep of Park House and North Richmond station just a short walk away.

Riverbank also features hotel-style amenities throughout the development.

There&#39;s the Club House, which comprises a residents&#39;&nbsp;lounge with fireplace, a Movie House, an eight-seater cinema room which can be hired privately, the Fitness Hub gym, The Swing golf simulation room and The Splash, the swimming pool that opens to the courtyards.

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* - Terms and conditions apply

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The nine-level building has been designed by SJB Architects and is finished with interiors by Sue Carr at Carr Design Group

Buyers pay $0 stamp duty at Riverbank in Abbotsford, as Salta matches VIC government offer until June 30

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An Abbotsford, Victoria mortgagee apartment has been sold for $351,000.
The home last sold for $429,000 when it was purchased off the plan in 2011.
As a result this sale marks a $78,000 loss for the vendor.
Chris O'Shaughnessy and Emily Sayers of Biggin &amp; Scott marketed the one bedroom one bathroom apartment.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-abbotsford-132085578" target="_blank">107B/609-615 Victoria Street</a>, the home was built in 2014.
Featuring 50 square metres of internal space, the home was offered to the market seeking $320,000.
Located in the Green Square complex, the north facing home has access to services like a heated pool, gym, communal gardens, BBQ, library, meeting rooms and private entertainment facilities.
The home was first listed as a rental shortly after its purchase in 2014 seeking $390 per week and later that year and in 2015 for $380 per week. 
Later in 2016 it sought $390 per week and most recently in 2018 $395 per week. However according to the listing the unit has "rent potential up to $450 per week".
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median sale price for a unit in <a href="/developments/abbotsford-vic-3067">Abbotsford</a> is $496,500, according to the latest CoreLogic data.
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Abbotsford, Victoria mortgagee home sold for $78,000 loss

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The golfing champion Craig Parry has listed his Abbotsford home with $10 million hopes.
It has been listed through <a href="https://blackdiamondz.com.au/listing/530_unique-deep-waterfront-luxury-estate-offers-a-private-resort-oasis20632437" target="_blank">Black Diamondz Concierge agent Tim Le</a>.
The home on the dress circle Abbotsford Parade sits in private 1,620 sqm gardens and has water views from every room.
It has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The upper level bedrooms include a master with walk-in and ensuite spa. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/8/Parry2.jpg" alt="">
There's also a home office, theatre room, steam room, infrared sauna and games room with commercial grade wet par.
A permanent marina berth jetty, pontoon, slipway and boatshed span the 53 metres of Sydney Harbour frontage.
A swimming pool, outdoor spa, full size tennis court and of course a custom putting green sits in the grounds.
The $10 million guide on his Abbotsford property would top the suburb record set next door by Le at $9.5 million in 2017 when spiritual healers Mina and Yvon Attia, of the Celebrate Freedom ministry sold to 27-year-old Yangyang Tu, a director of the Northern Territory cattle farm Tutee Farms.
Parry intends to spend more time at his Newport home on Sydney's northern beaches.
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Golfer Craig Parry lists Abbotsford home with $10 million hopes, and own putting green

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The Zagame family has acquired a recently rezoned Abbotsford land parcel of 4,735 square metres for $21 million.
Fitzroys agents Paul Burns and James Lockwood negotiated the sale of 112 Trenerry Crescent on behalf of the Australian Education Union (Victorian Branch) following an expressions of interest campaign.
The site has an existing four-level brick building with a net lettable area of 4,252 square metres, and fronts on to the Yarra River overlooking both Dights falls and Victoria Park, in addition to having views of the CBD skyline.
Burns said 15 offers were received from a mix of local and offshore bidders, predominantly made up of developers, with some partial owner occupiers.
“Bidders had schemes for a mix of office and residential uses for the property, looking to take advantage of the property’s recent rezoning to Mixed Use,” he said.
The AEU had previously used the building as their Victorian headquarters for many years, and held onto the property following their relocation until the rezoning was formalised.
Burns said the strong purchaser interest was driven by the property’s city fringe location and proximity to the burgeoning nearby office markets of Cremorne and Richmond.
The site had views to the Yarra River, Dight Falls, Victoria Park and the Melbourne CBD.
The existing building will be kept and re-used.
“Office vacancies across Melbourne’s city fringe have been tightening to historic lows and businesses are increasingly looking to Abbotsford as the next hotspot for commercial activity,” Burns said.
He said the property offers direct access to trains and buses, the Eastern Freeway and recently upgraded Hoddle Street, and a range of trendy lifestyle options and the scenery of the Yarra River, all within short walking distance.
Lockwood said developers are now looking beyond the busy Cremorne and Richmond markets for their next projects.
Cadence Property Group has lodged plans for a major office development on Victoria Crescent, near the Carlton and United Brewery, and Salta Property Group is undertaking a mixed-use project with office, apartment and build-to-rent components next to its Victoria Gardens shopping centre.
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Zagame family acquires Abbotsford office site from Australian Education Union

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A recently rezoned Abbotsford land parcel encompassing 4,375 square metres has been listed. 
Fitzroys agents Paul Burns and James Lockwood are handling the international expressions of interest campaign for 112 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford, on behalf of the Australian Education Union (Victorian Branch).
The site has an existing four-level brick building with a NLA of 4,252 square metres.
It fronts on to the Yarra River and overlooks both Dights falls and Victoria Park, in addition to having views of the CBD skyline.
It is being offered with short-term holding income.
Burns said the property’s flexible mixed use zoning puts all options on the table for purchasers.
"Office vacancies across Melbourne’s city fringe markets have been tightening to historic lows and businesses are increasingly looking to Abbotsford as the next hotspot for commercial activity located close to the CBD," Burns said. 
Lockwood said developers are now looking beyond the heated Cremorne and Richmond markets for their next projects.
Cadence Property Group has lodged plans for a major office development on Victoria Crescent, near the Carlton and United Brewery, and Salta Property Group is undertaking a mixed-use project with office, apartment and build-to-rent components next to its Victoria Gardens shopping centre.
United Petroleum founder, Eddie Hirsch has proposed an 11-storey tower on Hoddle Street. Circa $20 million is expected for the property.
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