<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

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The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

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The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
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Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

aqualand

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Property developer Aqualand Australia have been named sponsors of NRL team South Sydney Rabbitohs for the next three seasons.
They've signed on as the Redfern-based club's major home corporate partner for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Aqualand Australia, based in Sydney and established in 2014, has a portfolio of 23 sites valued at around $6 billion.
Rabbitohs chief executive officer Blake Solly, pictured above at Redfern Oval with <a href="/news/who-is-aqualands-jin-lin-the-second-biggest-shareholder-in-the-mcgrath-estate-agency">Aqualand boss Jin Lin</a>, said it is the link with communities that pushed through the partnership. 
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“The more we spoke with Aqualand, the more both organisations realised that our visions and goals aligned, based around our communities,” Solly said.
“Our community is at the heart of everything we do.
"We continually strive to make the community a better place to live through our connections with partners, our Souths Cares programs and through our interaction with members of the community.
“Aqualand also wants to improve the lives of those in the communities in which they develop, and across their entire industry.
“They undertake long-term projects with clear benefits for the communities in which they are built, which is the same vision both our Football Club and Souths Cares have when undertaking our community-based programs.
“This is why we felt such a strong association with Aqualand and we could not be prouder to welcome them to our family, along with other major partners Alcatel, PlayUp and Zoom Communications, and our entire partnership network.”
Aqualand is a vested corporate citizen, sponsoring sporting and cultural initiatives such as the Australian Ballet, Sydney Film Festival, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sculptures by the Sea Bondi and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Jin Lin, Aqualand's group managing director, said the company is thrilled to be signing as the Rabbitohs’ major home corporate partner.
“In particular, we’re looking forward to lending a helping hand to Souths Cares, which also supports Indigenous Australians, disadvantaged and marginalised youth through education, training, health and employment programs.”
Aqualand CEO John Carfi said the company's focus on forging stronger, more connected communities shares many synergies with the Rabbitohs’ social mission and charity engagement.
“We look forward to strengthening this aligned vision through our role as major home corporate partner, together setting a new benchmark both on and off the field."
Aqualand branding will appear on the front of the Rabbitohs’ NRL home jersey and the lower back of South Sydney’s NRL away jersey for at least the next three years.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Property developer Aqualand Australia named South Sydney Rabbitohs sponsor

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Blue at Lavender Bay, Aqualand Australia’s pinnacle project, has seen another penthouse sale.
The last remaining penthouse at Blue in Milsons Point has been sold $10.5 million.
Last month, Aqualand sold its another penthouse in its flagship Blue at Lavender Bay development for $9 million to a Northbridge couple, which was the highest price paid for an apartment in the locale.
Alex Adams, Aqualand’s head of sales and marketing, said Aqualand was extremely pleased to have secured buyers for both penthouses "illustrating the resilience of the north shore prime property market".
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse totals 170 square metres of internal space and boasts panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, the Eastern suburbs and the North Sydney skyline from its grand wrap around balcony. The sale was brokered by CBRE reportedly to orthopaedic surgeon and human rights activist Munjed Al Muderis.
Construction of the development of 129 luxury residential apartments and four retail lots has recently commenced with its scheduled completion in mid 2020.
Sub-penthouses with three-bedrooms and three bathrooms are still available for sale and priced from $4.1 million. 
It was marketed as the last residential conversion development in the Milsons Point area with views to the city and Harbour Bridge.
Of the 72 apartments sold on initial marketing in September 2017, the highest sale result was the $8 million sub-penthouse, which equated to a bullish $55,000 per square metre.
Located at 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point, it was once an 18-level commercial office building.
The architectural firm PTW included premium Gaggenau appliances, natural stone kitchens, stone floors, extensive joinery, larger open-plan living areas and generous sized bedrooms and ensuites.
Aqualand bought the Samsung office building in 2016 for $140 million.
It initially contemplated offering a 550 square metre penthouse which was expected to carry a $20 million asking price.
Aqualand is a subsidiary of the Shanghai-based property developer Shenglong, billed as one of China’s top 50 property developers.
Ir recently appointed a head of construction, Tom Catalovski, who was previously the construction director of Probuild Constructions.
Aqualand Property, and the boutique tier-one construction firm, Roberts Pizzarotti recently "mutually agreed" not to proceed with a joint venture partnership for building Blue.
Under the direction of new CEO, John Carfi, Aqualand has instead chosen to develop the intended JV project with its in-house building team, Aqualand Constructions.
A key objective of the Aqualand Roberts Pizzarotti construction joint venture (“ARP”) was to provide construction capabilities as an interim.
The injection of John Carfi into the helm of the Aqualand business boosted the company’s strategic trajectory and allowed Aqualand to bring forward the timing for their first self-delivered major project.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Both of Aqualand's Blue at Lavender Bay penthouses now sold

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The emerging Chinese property development giant Aqualand has appointed a heavyweight advisory board including former Liberal politician Warwick Smith, chairman of the Australia China Council, and who already sits on the boards of ANZ Bank China.
The former Tasmanian will become executive chairman of Aqualand, AL Capital and chair of the advisory board.
Smith joins the influential company director Gabrielle Trainor and former Multiplex chairman Ross McDiven on its advisory board as the company flags ambitions to become one of Australia’s largest developers.
Ms Trainor is an AFL commissioner, a director of Infrastructure Australia, and a former director of the Barangaroo Development Authority.
Aqualand group managing director Jin Lin, son of the parent group’s founder Yi Lin, said the advisory board appointments marked a significant milestone for Aqualand, which only entered the Australian market in 2014.
It now has 18 sites with a $5 billion development pipeline.
John Carfi, a former head of residential for Mirvac, was appointed in April to oversee its Australian strategy.
Aqualand’s parent is the Sheng­long Group, which controls more than $20 billion of assets in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe.
One of Aqualand’s biggest projects is in Sydney’s $5 billion Central Barangaroo precinct, in a consortium with Canada's Oxford Properties; Melbourne developer Grocon and shopping centre giant Scentre Group.
Aqualand has signalled it will also focus on major affordable housing projects following last month’s passing of legislation for the $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Facility.
It is bidding for part of the NSW government’s 10-year $2.5 billion Telopea social and affordable housing masterplanned community near Parramatta.
Aqualand has established AL Capital — led by investment banker Wayne Mo — which last month spent $10.7 million buying 15 per cent equity in the listed real estate agency McGrath.
The group has an arrangement to now utilise McGrath’s project marketing expertise on its projects for a five year term, where McGrath has the first right to discuss the marketing propositions.
John Carfi said last week that the company aimed to rival Australia biggest developers over the next five years.
The group currently had just over $2bn invested in Australia, he said.
 
 
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Aqualand appoints Sinophile Warwick Smith 

Apartment developer Aqualand - which this week signed up to become the McGrath estate agency&#39;s second biggest shareholder - is controlled by the Lin family.

Scion &quot;Jim&quot; Jin Lin heads the business.

Lin hit the headlines when the family acquired the $52 million mansion Villa Igiea in Vaucluse.

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Villa Igiea,&nbsp;the&nbsp;magnificent European style villa, was bought from Dr Wayne Burt, during the final business hours of 2015.

There were headlines again when he lodged plans for a $22 million renovation that would see the neighbouring house rebuilt as a three-storey residence with the two properties joined via a basement and shared carpark.

Permission was given in April this year on the November 2016 Tzannes Architects proposal which involved 1800 sqm of excavation.

The two Queens Avenue homes covering 2900 sqm are registered in the name of Lin&rsquo;s mother, Yunhui.

<img alt="" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/6/22/vaucluse.png" />

Lin is the Chinese-born, 28 year old in charge of residential developer&#39;s $5 billion apartment pipeline.

Aqualand, which was launched in 2013, has projects at Lindfield and North Ryde on Sydney&#39;s north-side. Another of its projects include Blue at Lavender Bay, the residential conversion of an 18 level commercial office building.

There&#39;s also the ultra-luxury 46-unit project, The Revy, at the heritage-listed waterfront warehouse adjacent to the Seven Network headquarters in Pyrmont, where designer Blainey North was commissioned to undertake its interiors.

It has plans for a mixed-use residential complex of nearly 1200 units over five hectares, in Melrose Park, Meadowbank, along Sydney&#39;s Parramatta River.

Apartment developer Aqualand has been very active and recently made former Mirvac head of residential John Carfi its new chief executive.
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Their stake in McGrath cost around $10.7 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

Aqualand is also a vested corporate citizen, sponsoring sporting and cultural initiatives such as The Australian Ballet, Sydney Film Festival, Sculpture by the Sea (Bondi), and the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Aqualand is backed by capital from its parent company, Shenglong Group which has $25 billion in investments and development in China, Europe, the US and Australia.

He is the only son of Chinese property mogul Yi Lin, head of Shanghai-based property group, Shenglong.

The two are reportedly close, speaking three to four times a day.

Lin senior was a sub-contractor but started his own development company in 1999 in their hometown of Fuzhou in the southern province of Fujian in China.

The company has developed 30 million square metres of property.

The younger Lin, a finance graduate from Macquarie University in Sydney, went to his father&#39;s construction sites every day as a child.

The Lin family migrated to Australia 16 years ago.

Their hillside Vaucluse mansion, inspired by the grandest of villas in Palermo, Sicily, dates back to the 1920s when built for the Grace retailing family (below).

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The property&#39;s prior owner was Charlotte Sargent, whose&nbsp;husband George Sargent, the founder of Sargent&rsquo;s Pies, named their then house, Hartley Hope.
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The photographs taken at the property by Sam Hood in 1939 at the pre-wedding cocktail party for Mr Grace and Miss Miller, hosted by Isabel Grace, show the property.

In 1939 Sam Hood took a photograph entitled Pre-wedding cocktail party for Miss Miller and Mr Grace, given by Mrs I Grace at her home, &quot;Villa Igiea&quot;, Vaucluse.

Source: State Library of NSW, Sam Hood Collection.

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Villa Igiea was the long-time home of the late TNT transport tycoon Sir Peter Abeles and then his widow, Lady (Kitty) Abeles.

Its first update came during the McWilliam family&rsquo;s ownership, then its contemporary refurbishment by Paris designer India Mahdavi which featured in the April 2013 Vogue.

Dr Burt had paid $17.37 million in 2005, then adding an adjoining 800 sqm property with house in 2009 costing $4.9 million, which was anticipated as a tennis court block.

Source: State Library of NSW, Sam Hood Collection.

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For a time James Packer was interested in buying Villa Igiea but instead bought La Mer in 2009.

Set above Hermit Bay, Villa Igiea was built on its 2200 sqm block in the Riviera Liberty style to a design by Neville Hampson, the architect who also designed Boomerang at Elizabeth Bay.

It became one of Sydney&#39;s leading short term luxury rentals, occupied by Texan billionaire Jim Clark and his wife, Kristy Hinze-Clark as their Sydney to Hobart race-winning bolthole.

Villa Igiea, which had enough space to host Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt&#39;s wife, and their six children, could command up to $70,000 a week.

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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Who is Aqualand's Jin Lin, the second biggest shareholder in the McGrath estate agency

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Real estate agency McGrath have advised they are looking at subdued earnings in the current period.
It told shareholders their results would be at the bottom end of their forecasted earnings.
They made the brief statement when announcing their link with Aqualand.
The update read "the performance for the financial year ending 30 June 2018 will be at the lower end of the previously provided guidance."
This is in reference to the earlier guidance they had to halve in March.
They said they have anticipated the lower earnings after having regard for recent trading and real estate market conditions. 
They said the underlying EBITDA is expected to be $5 million, but $4 million in one-off costs will bring that down to $1 million.
 
 
 
 
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McGrath set to announce subdued earnings

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McGrath has secured a strategic equity investment from Aqualand Group, one of Australia’s premier residential property development and investment groups.
The significant stake achieves "strategic commercial alignment" between McGrath and Aqualand, with Aqualand entitled to appoint a director to the board.
Aqualand has also agreed to grant McGrath the first right to discuss being appointed as an agent for new Aqualand projects expected to come to the market in future years, or provide property management services for leased apartments within new projects.
Aqualand was established in Australia in 2014 and has since generated a portfolio of 18 sites, with a collective gross development value of approximately $5 billion. Its project include Blue at Lavender Bay, the residential conversion of an 18 level commercial office building. 
Aqualand, along with Grocon and Scentre Group, were selected earlier this year to deliver the Central Barangaroo precinct. 
Aqualand Australia has former Mirvac head of residential, John Carfi, running its Sydney-focused operations.
Aqualand is also a vested corporate citizen, sponsoring sporting and cultural initiatives such as The Australian Ballet, Sydney Film Festival, Sculpture by the Sea (Bondi), and the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Aqualand has advised McGrath that CEO of AL Capital, Wayne Mo, is their nominee to the board of directors of McGrath. 
The placement of 25,189,880 shares at $0.425 per share will take place in two tranches, with the second tranche of 11,568,042 shares subject to ordinary shareholder approval.
Following completion of both tranches, Aqualand will be the second largest shareholder of McGrath with a 15% relevant interest.
Under the first tranche, which has now completed, Aqualand has acquired an initial stake of 8.7% in McGrath.
The second tranche, which is conditional on McGrath shareholder approval, will give Aqualand a further interest of 6.3% in McGrath.
The agreement has an initial term of five years and can be renewed for two further terms of three years each by agreement between the parties.
The ASX update said the agreement would be terminated on a change of control of McGrath or if John McGrath ceases to have a substantial holding in McGrath and ceases to be actively involved in the management of McGrath.
John McGrath who founded the company, remains the largest shareholder and executive director.
He said the partnership showed confidence in McGrath.
“The addition of a new strategic shareholder in Aqualand, represents a great vote of confidence in the future of McGrath Limited.
"Aqualand is one of Australia’s highest quality property developmentand investment groups and its addition as a major shareholder and board representation provides McGrath the opportunity to continue to grow our Project Marketing expertise and develop even stronger ties with the inbound investment.”
McGrath CEO Geoff Lucas said its is an opportunity to grow the business.
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“The Australian real estate market is becoming more sophisticated and relationships and channels are more important than ever before," Lucas noted.
"Working closely with a major shareholder like Aqualand, which owns some of the best residential development sites in the country, represents a great opportunity to grow our business in project marketing. 
"The capital raised in the placement will also allow us to take advantage of any strategic acquisition opportunities that arise over the next couple of years. 
"McGrath is currently in a stabilisation and turnaround program and this transaction and relationship underpin our momentum to return to being Australia’s pre- eminent residential property brand.” 
AL Capital CEO Wayne Mo said Aqualand is pleased to enter into the strategic relationship with McGrath.
"We have observed McGrath for some time and have developed a positive view of the overall business operation and the capability of the McGrath leadership team. We believe McGrath has good potential for future growth and that this growth will only be enhanced by our new strategic relationship.” 
Earlier this year stockbroker Bell Potter called McGrath share's a sell, shortly after it bottomed at a then all time low of 50 cents a share.
The share price plummet and internal divisions on future directions prompted John McGrath to take back over the reigns of the agency.
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McGrath secure $10.7 million strategic investment from Aqualand

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Aqualand Australia has lured high-­profile former Mirvac head of residential, John Carfi, to run its Sydney-focused operations.
Cafri has spent the last 18 months in the Middle East where he was the CEO of development at Dubai-based real estate firm Emaar Properties where he delivered multiple large-scale, mixed-use developments.
There was an end value of more than US $120B and annual turnover of more than US $15B.
Prior to his move to Emaar in 2016, Carfi had been Mirvac's CEO of residential development for 15 years.
He began his career in the real estate industry back in the late 1980s at Lendlease.
Carfi will become chief executive of the Chinese-backed Aqualand from July, The Australian reported.
Aqualand managing director Jin Lin told The Australian Carfi's appointment is the next step in Aqualand's long-term strategy.
“We’ve been speaking with John for a number of months because we truly believe he is one of the few in the industry with such a high level of leadership and ingenuity.
"This is a result of a very controlled strategy that has allowed us to meet our milestones to trigger our next growth stage. 
“While John will transition into our CEO, I will transition to Group Managing Director," Lin said.
"Already Aqualand has grown a significant portfolio of sites, recycling assets to improve future investment opportunities and we are now on the verge of a new frontier with a significant appetite for large-scale, masterplanned projects.
"John has delivered numerous masterplanned communities throughout Australia and internationally, and I believe with him at the helm, Aqualand is well-positioned to increase its market dominance.”
 
Carfi has held senior positions across industry organisations including Australian Chairman of the global property association Urban Land Institute (ULI), Member of The Urban Taskforce Executive Committee, Fellow of the Australian Property Institute and Director of the Australian Residential Development Council. 
He has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Building) degree from the University of Technology Sydney, along with business related qualifications from INSEAD and Chicago University.
 
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John Carfi takes top job at Aqualand

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Aqualand has settled on its latest acquisition, an office conversion property located at 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point.
To be known as Blue at Lavender Bay, the 18 level commercial office building has been purchased with approval to develop 137 luxury residential apartments, comprising of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom dwellings.
Over 80 per cent of apartments have views to the Harbour Bridge.
The name ‘Blue’ was chosen to echo the waterfront location of the property, and as a homage to the historical figures of Milsons Point, George Lavender and Susannah Blue.
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Jin Lin, the managing director of Aqualand said with the appointment of PTW’s architectural team, Blue at Lavender Bay "will be an example of the high standard of lifestyle we pride ourselves on delivering for our customers.”
Alex Adams, Aqualand’s head of sales and marketing, said sales are expected to commence by mid-year.
The structure of the 40 year old building is already optimised for generous space and views, he added.
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80 percent of Aqualand's Blue at Lavender Bay have bridge views 

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Australian property development and investment company, Aqualand is the new principal sponsor of the world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi. 
Aqualand’s three year sponsorship is the most significant in the exhibition’s history and will support the continued growth of the acclaimed Bondi event.
The annual Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi draws over 500,000 visitors to the Bondi coastal walk across the 18 day exhibition period each spring. 
The 2016 exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the exhibition - founded by David Handley (pictured above with Aqualand's Jim Lin) which will this year showcase its 2,000th sculpture and over 100 new artworks from local and international artists.
Jin Lin, Aqualand's managing director said it’s very exciting "and a great privilege."
“Our aim at Aqualand is to inspire life; we think with our hearts to create better, smarter and more beautiful living environments and firmly believe that accessible public art is a key element of vibrant and engaged communities.
"It really is our great pleasure therefore to be associated with an innovative, iconic event that pushes creative boundaries and brings outstanding public art each year from countries all around the world to the people of Sydney, and its visitors,” Jin said.
Aqualand's projects have included Payce in Melrose Park and Lindfield Village.
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