Holiday home buyers who have long gravitated to Queenstown’s alpine setting are increasingly looking for low-maintenance apartments that allow them to lock up and leave, while still generating income when they’re away.

For Wendy, who had spent years visiting the Queenstown and Arrowtown region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>’s Mountain Oak Apartments provided the opportunity to formalise what had previously been a recurring holiday pattern.

“We always had Queenstown in the back of our minds to buy something there as a holiday home,” she says. “We love the Queenstown and Arrowtown area.”

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/658d4f_48c3ec1ae5df4a2cab7d23c07c7f51b3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=27K8oQ4ExDN8Yu70VHDa9Olq59XU36m3" />

Time spent visiting her sister-in-law, who owns in Arrowtown, along with regular stays at Millbrook Resort, had already shaped a strong personal connection to the region.&nbsp;

Rather than approaching the purchase purely as an investment play, Wendy’s starting point was lifestyle.

“We were more thinking about ourselves and where we could stay, and then the rental aspect was second.”

Mountain Oak Apartments, located within the masterplanned Remarkables Park precinct in Frankton, aligned with that thinking. The ability to secure the apartment with a deposit and settle on completion made the timing work.

“The fact that we could put a deposit down with the balance on completion was a bonus for us,” she explains.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Wendy selected a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse, a configuration that supports both private use and guest flexibility.

“The two-bedroom, two-bathroom configuration appealed from both a rental viewpoint and for the ability to have friends stay while we are there,” she says.

Across the development, two-bedroom apartments range from 64sqm to 78sqm, with two-bedroom plus flexi options from 71sqm to 75sqm, each with an allocated car park. The flexi layouts introduce an additional space suited to work or hobbies, reflecting demand from buyers who split their time between leisure and remote work.

Apartments include underfloor heating in bathrooms, heat pumps to living areas, and joinery positioned to maximise natural light and mountain outlooks. The Remarkables Park precinct is known for its extended winter sunshine hours, water frontage and open views toward The Remarkables.&nbsp;

Units come in light and dark interior colour schemes.

<img alt="Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd685a22-3b95-43a1-87cb-48fdd42bb4ba" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_f9f89107c2704ebbbe5a6b36da508cb3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=MigFIEm6b.mrANANwxSmwHvC4RdJUuyR" />

While lifestyle was the primary driver, the fundamentals of the Queenstown market added reassurance.&nbsp;

“Proximity to the airport and tourism being the main attraction all year round,” Wendy says, when asked what stood out from an investment perspective.

Mountain Oak sits just eight kilometres from Queenstown’s CBD and around a two-minute drive from Queenstown Airport.&nbsp;

For Wendy, that airport proximity carries practical value.

“The airport proximity is a bonus, we think that being so close will be an attraction for the convenience side.”

Residents are also a short drive from Coronet Peak, Jack’s Point Golf Course, New World Supermarket, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and the dining, medical, gym, cinema and library amenities within the town centre, as well as the seasonal Remarkables Market.

Importantly, the purchase does not lock owners into a single use. Mountain Oak offers the flexibility to opt for short-term visitor accommodation or longer-term residential rental management, with 365-day visitor accommodation consent in place. Owners can utilise Safari Group’s 24/7 on-site management service or appoint their own provider, and do not need to decide on a strategy immediately.

“It was a bonus that we can rent it out as well as use it for ourselves,” she says.

Additional buying options, including furniture packages and storage units available for purchase within the building, further support a lock-and-leave model suited to interstate and overseas owners.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Mountain Oak Apartments comprises 141 residences, ranging from one-bedroom configurations through to larger apartments and penthouses. One-bedroom apartments are currently priced from NZ$639,000, with three-bedroom options from NZ$1,299,000.

With 365-day visitor accommodation consent, the development is structured to respond to Queenstown’s established four-season tourism economy, spanning winter ski traffic and summer hiking, cycling, golf and lake-based activity.

Although Wendy acknowledges the strength of rental demand, her approach remains long term.

“We’re not planning to sell it anytime soon, so we are keen to hang on to it, but the passive income will be a bonus.”

Confidence in the developer also influenced her decision. Before proceeding, Wendy sought feedback within the local building community.

“We asked around and Safari Group had a good reputation,” she says.

Safari Group has delivered more than 2,000 hotel units and residential apartments across over 18 developments nationwide, with more than 25 years’ experience in the sector.

With completion anticipated by mid-2027, Mountain Oak is attracting a cross-section of buyers, from yield-focused investors to lifestyle purchasers seeking a foothold in one of New Zealand’s most tightly held alpine markets.

For Wendy, it represents both a future holiday base and a long-term asset within Queenstown’s year-round tourism economy.

Joel Robinson

How Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown

Eduard Litver's Capitel Group is seeking to redevelop Chatswood's Mandarin Centre in the heart of the burgeoning suburb.

Capitel Group, in a joint venture with Metis Group, has filed a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to demolish the Mandarin Centre and construct a 32-storey tower designed by Skidmore, Owings &amp; Merrill (SOM) with 325 apartments.

The 3,524 sqm site at 61A-65 Albert Avenue will also home extensive retail amenity, both at street-level and across a four-level podium.

<img alt="First look: Metis and Capitel unveil $1.2bn+ plan to redevelop Chatswood’s Mandarin Centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="905976ea-08cd-409f-8a4c-33a3fb8bf351" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1771923441002.png?VersionId=f_xI2ejpxQvEm4fPqGji01RY9_AWVY6O" />

In its early stage Design Report submitted to the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority, SOM describes the ambition for the project as one that “aims to revitalise and reactivate an important corner of the Chatswood CBD.”

The architects note that the existing shopping centre “has a lack of vertical connection between its five levels of retail and a cumbersome pedestrian access from the street to the second-level transit connection,” framing the redevelopment as an opportunity to reconfigure circulation and better integrate with surrounding transport infrastructure.

The design adopts a single tower configuration, shaped through early testing to respond to neighbouring buildings and key public spaces.

Retail activation is concentrated at ground and lower podium levels, with a focus on food and beverage, lifestyle and wellness tenancies. The intent is to create a more permeable ground plane and improve connections between Albert Avenue, Victor Street and the Chatswood transport interchange, located within walking distance of the site.

<img alt="First look: Metis and Capitel unveil $1.2bn+ plan to redevelop Chatswood’s Mandarin Centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1e0c8cb-ee9b-41c1-97ac-0455c043b9e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1771923442914.png?VersionId=y.Kbo.9bzLIbOabeygYts8Uf9imI.Dqh" />

The site occupies a prominent position on the southern edge of the Chatswood CBD core, bounded by Albert Avenue and Victor Street. It sits near the rail and metro interchange and within close proximity to Chatswood Chase, Westfield Chatswood, Chatswood Oval and a range of commercial office towers and residential buildings.

Chatswood has been one, and continues to be, of the most popular suburbs for developers in recent years. The most recent tower to launch is Hyecorp's Celine on Archer Street, which followed The Anderson by Changfa and Huirong.

Soon to launch is Coronation's Archer &amp; Albert nearby the new proposal.

Chatswood boom continues with Capitel and Metis’s $1.2 billion Mandarin Centre redevelopment

Apartment development applications continue to tally up in Rose Bay following the NSW Gov's 2025 update to the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy.

&nbsp;

Some $200 million worth of developments were filed in the space of four weeks at the back end of last year, with the likes of Fyve, HSN, Luxcon and Fortis all seeking to creating new apartment buildings.

The latest plans are for an amalgamated 3,105 sqm site across Conway Avenue, Fernleigh Avenue, and Carlisle Street. Developer Mathieson Property is planning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dian-2-6-conway-avenue-rose-bay-nsw-2029">Dian</a>, 70 apartments across a new eight-storey building, perched on a ridgeline within walking distance of Rose Bay Town Centre.

The State Significant Development Application (SSDA), includes one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations. Over 15 per cent will be dedicated as affordable, as per the NSW Government's push for affordable housing. The 17 apartments will be managed by a community housing provider for 15 years following completion of the building.

<img alt="First Look: Mathieson Property unveils eight-storey infill housing proposal ‘Dian’ in Rose Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f99c21d9-e69d-4a23-ae35-3244cfa0b4ae" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Rose%20Bay%20site_0.png?VersionId=67KSZfecJ3fvn1ewo9xxKrneRT.Nsjwd" />

MHNDU has designed the building around three central cores, with lower-level apartments arranged to maximise corner balconies and cross-ventilation. Upper levels are configured with dual north–south aspects to capture harbour views and solar access.

Private open space is a key feature of the scheme, with generous balconies and terraces throughout. Five ground-floor apartments would include private pools, while one upper-level residence will feature a rooftop terrace and pool. A communal room and adjoining landscaped outdoor terraces provide shared open space for residents.

<img alt="First Look: Mathieson Property unveils eight-storey infill housing proposal ‘Dian’ in Rose Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dd2e275f-c270-4eb1-9a02-2b573b8eb540" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Rose%20Bay%20front_0.png?VersionId=Us5jNEG6iLFLLMfQSzVBVdILYobBj.g9" />

The site sits around 365 metres walking distance of Rose Bay Town Centre and around 312 metres from regular bus services on New South Head Road, meeting the accessible area criteria under the Housing SEPP.

In early 2025, the NSW Government implemented significant changes to its Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, altering planning controls to allow greater density for new apartment projects within an 800-metre walking distance of stations and town centres in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/woollahra-nsw-2025">Woollahra</a>&nbsp;Local Government Area, overriding existing local controls. Buildings are now permitted to rise up to six storeys within 400 metres of a station or centre, or eight storeys where affordable housing is incorporated, and up to four storeys within the 401 to 800 metre radius, which can increase to six storeys with affordable housing.

Mathieson Property unveils Dian Rose Bay apartment development

Lower North Shore developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hyecorp-property-group">Hyecorp</a> is preparing to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine</a>, its new apartment development in Chatswood.

Set within a blue ribbon location on Archer Street, Celine will rise on a quiet, tree-lined enclave on the edge of the South Chatswood Heritage Conservation Area, a short walk from the connectivity which Chatswood is famous for.

Celine will deliver 122 one, two, three, and four-bedroom residences, designed to accommodate a broad range of buyers, from owner-occupiers to investors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362610]

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fuse-architecture-0">Fuse Architects</a>, the 29-storey tower has been shaped to respond to its Archer Street setting, with a defined podium and slender upper levels.&nbsp;

The building incorporates a two-storey residential lobby at the corner, double-height retail fronting Bertram Street, food and beverage tenancies along a through-site link, and two levels of commercial office space.&nbsp;

A landscaped pedestrian connection between Archer and Bertram streets will provide a publicly accessible link through the site, extending activity at ground level beyond the building footprint.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362606]

Inside, Hyecorp is emphasising scale and flexibility. Most residences will incorporate multipurpose rooms, allowing buyers to configure additional living, study or guest space within their floorplan.&nbsp;

Kitchens have been designed with proportions more commonly associated with standalone homes, complemented by Gaggenau and Miele appliances, integrated refrigeration, Miele laundry appliances, Taj Mahal stone and bronze tapware.&nbsp;

Buyers will also have the option to tailor aspects of their home through the developer’s “Live Your Way” personalisation service.

Resident amenity will include an outdoor pool, gym and sauna, as well as barbecue and lounge areas designed for shared use. Upper levels are oriented to capture eastern outlooks towards the Sydney CBD and surrounding greenery.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362633]

The location places future residents within 800 metres of Chatswood Interchange, providing access to metro and rail services, and within walking distance of Westfield, Chatswood Chase and the Chatswood Concourse. Parks including Chatswood Park and Beauchamp Park are nearby, along with a cluster of schools and private hospitals.

Celine continues Hyecorp’s focus on the Lower North Shore. The Australian, family-owned developer has been operating locally for more than 30 years, with recent projects including Audrey in St Leonards, now nearing completion, and Juliet in Roseville. With registrations expected to open soon, Celine represents the group’s latest addition to the Chatswood apartment market.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149594]

Hyecorp unveils Celine, a striking new apartment tower in the heart of Chatswood

International development company <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/spg-land">SPG Land</a> has kicked off construction of the $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Paradiso Place</a>, one of the highest value developments to get underway on the Gold Coast in more than a decade.

Located on a 1.15ha site stretching from Surfers Paradise Boulevard to Ferny Avenue, Paradiso Place, when completed, will deliver 845 residences across three residential towers. &nbsp;

Paradiso Place has been several years in planning by SPG, which has now pushed the green light on construction to meet pent-up demand from investors and owner occupiers.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185858]

The move follows minor amendments to the original design to cater to buyer demand, including the provision of more premium residential amenity, including private dining, lounge and events spaces for residents to entertain guests.

The three towers, comprising 41, 40 and 44 levels, will bring to the market 845 apartments with each tower boasting its own podium level interconnected skybridge to create a unique elevated ‘beachside village’ for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362500]

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed development will bring a broad range of residences to the market, most offering ocean views and all enjoying five-star hotel amenities with world-class facilities and the convenience ground level retail precinct.

&nbsp;

Construction of Paradiso Place has been made possible by SPG’s newly established SPG Built division partnered with experienced project management group Eastview Australia, a company that has supported the development of a raft of major projects on the Gold Coast over the past two decades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362499]

“It’s a very exciting time for Paradiso Place as we start construction,” said SPG Land Chairman David Wang.

“We have spent our energy refreshing design and assembling the best team and waiting for what we believe is the right time to start construction on one of the most exciting mixed-use developments to proceed on the Gold Coast since Oracle in Broadbeach and Circle on Cavill in Surfers Paradise. &nbsp;

“The local and interstate downsizer market is getting stronger, and we see Paradiso Place as the right project for our times right now. Our company has the capacity to deliver large-scale projects, and we are thrilled to be bringing this vision to reality.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185861]

SPG Invest, a company founded in Australia in 1998 with a focus on high-end real estate and premium hospitality assets, has delivered 56 projects in the Asia-Pacific region over the past twenty-five years, including The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai and the Global 188 twin-tower project in Suzhou and Cambridge Residences at Robina.

Paradiso Place will deliver a range of new apartments with two-, three- and four-bedroom layouts, as well as a collection of sub-penthouse and penthouse apartments across three levels. Prices start from $950,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185852]

“We have a very strong vision for Paradiso Place – we are creating a unique beachside residential community where contemporary design &amp; architecture and luxury materials combine with five star residents’ amenities and the convenience of a premium retail precinct on the ground floor”, said SPG Land CEO Dr Ying Rao&nbsp;

“We are confident that the community will recognise that this is more than just another development. Paradiso Place will bring a much-needed retail precinct and lifestyle hub to northern Surfers Paradise with premium retail, lifestyle and food and beverage options,” Said Dr Rao&nbsp;

“The retail precinct is critical to enhancing the lifestyle amenity for residents and guests, so SPG will retain control of this precinct to curate a premium retail offering that will support this thriving new community.

“SPG will also retain short-term holiday letting to control premium and luxury outcomes in line with our vision.”

Construction of Stage 1 Paradiso Place is expected to be completed by end of 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106566]

Construction commences on $1.5 billion Paradiso Place development in Surfers Paradise

Black Rock

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The former Melbourne AFL captain Nathan Jones and wife Jerri have listed in Black Rock. 
Marshall White Bayside’s Matthew Pillios has listed the minimalist contemporary four-bedroom home with a $2.7 to $2.9 million price guide.
The home comprises three living zones, marble kitchen, north facing garden and double garage. 
Other features include family bathroom, gas fireplace, alfresco space, cinema room, and pool. 
Situated within the Beaumaris Secondary College Zone, the home is in close proximity to private schools, Black Rock Village shops, cafes and the bay. 
It goes to December 7 auction.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Demons star Nathan Jones lists at Black Rock

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As property trends shift and evolve, it's important for developers to constantly keep up with what buyers want. <a href="/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Group</a> Managing Director Tim Lowe had a chat to Apartments.com.au about the buyer requests of 2019, and more specifically, how the concept of "off-the-plan" is shifting to another form of "building your own home" thanks to the response to customer demand for customisation.

Apartments.com.au: Given the success of <a href="/buildings/lumiere-black-rock-68-bluff-road-black-rock">Lumiere</a> Black Rock’s record sales, what do you believe were the stand out features which set the development apart from other properties within the Black Rock area?

Tim Lowe: The contemporary nature of architecture and our partnership with the internationally renowned design partner, Warren and Mahoney, allowed us to create a building that had a rich story behind it whilst also being contemporary and fitting with the area. Further to that, the features being the offering, single-level two and three bedroom apartments with large outdoor areas. Whereas Black Rock is typically renowned for two-level townhouses and large single homes. So it gave an additional opportunity for our downsizer demographic.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/lowe2004_black_rock_v07_garden_to_living_low.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One of Lumiere's expansive outdoor courtyards. Image credit: Lowe Group"><img alt="One of Lumiere's expansive outdoor courtyards. Image credit: Lowe Group" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lowe2004_black_rock_v07_garden_to_living_low.jpg?itok=Cf-tCFds" style="width: 580px; height: 290px;" title="One of Lumiere's expansive outdoor courtyards. Image credit: Lowe Group"></a>

<figcaption>One of Lumiere's expansive outdoor courtyards. Image credit: Lowe Group</figcaption></figure>U: How do you go about discovering what buyers want in an apartment? What kind of research is involved?

TL: We can confidently say we have a clear understanding of our demographic (downsizer). Firstly, we assess the market by understanding our buyer is a downsizer and they would be looking for an apartment that does allow them to release some equity from their existing home. Therefore we are very considerate about price point and providing varying floorplan considerations, for example at Lumiere we offered 6 unique floorplans each one tailored to suit different buyers and financial provision. Lowe Living also has a rich history working with this demographic and we frequently engage with our clients across all our projects to get feedback, in particular from our customisation/personalisation services, to ensure the next projects include the items they’re typically requesting.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/g.01.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Residence G.01"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="262" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/g.01.png?itok=nE1jkvfv" title="Residence G.01" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residence G.01</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/g.02.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Residence G.02"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="255" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/g.02.png?itok=Uqn6ZnIh" title="Residence G.02" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residence G.02</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/g.03.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Residence G.03"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="607" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/g.03.png?itok=KGXMZWX4" title="Residence G.03" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residence G.03</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1.01.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Residence 1.01"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="335" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1.01.png?itok=2nQkGvdW" title="Residence 1.01" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residence 1.01</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1.02.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Residence 1.02"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="248" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1.02.png?itok=KBph5xxh" title="Residence 1.02" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residence 1.02</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1.03.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Residence 1.03"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="506" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1.03.png?itok=T1sYruPb" title="Residence 1.03" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Residence 1.03</figcaption></figure>U: In what ways have apartment characteristics and features changed, and how much of that is influenced by economic, societal and environmental factors?

TL: In the areas in which we play (broader Melbourne, in particular, Bayside), apartments were typically tailored to the first home buyer and investor with limited amounts of amenity and lifestyle. Now we are tending to find that because of that ageing demographic and the capital growth that people have seen in our areas with their existing home, we are finding a more considered buyer who is more particular on quality of amenity (larger master suites, walk-in robes, home-style kitchens, fireplaces, sense of entry), access to ground floor, private open space and high-quality finishes and finishes. Our demographic is also taking the opportunity to move closer to the epicentre of the community with easy access to local shops and cafes/restaurants.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/lowe2004_black_rock_v02_living_g03_low.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Living area in one of the Lumiere residences. Image credit: Lowe Group"><img alt="Living area in one of the Lumiere residences. Image credit: Lowe Group" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lowe2004_black_rock_v02_living_g03_low.jpg?itok=1XA9XaNU" style="width: 580px; height: 299px;" title="Living area in one of the Lumiere residences. Image credit: Lowe Group"></a>

<figcaption>Living area in one of the Lumiere residences. Image credit: Lowe Group</figcaption></figure>U: In your opinion, which design choices and additional features add the most value to a development?

TL: Firstly, the uniqueness of the project design. For our buyer, key design choices include flexibility of living spaces and be able to cater for large family gatherings on an infrequent basis. We ensure the areas that are most frequently used within the apartment – kitchen, master suite, living and dining – assimilate the level of amenity that they’re accustomed to in their larger homes but providing a more functional and effective floorplan. We also make a lot of considerations around the key fundamentals of a home, including a sense of entry and segregation of spaces within an apartment such as having privacy to your master bedroom (leading off a hallway). The building's geometry is also very important, where we consider liveability within the design, offering less reliance on systems with the prospect of natural air flow and solar in the Winter. Whilst also leverage off our Bayside location by using neutral tones and giving great consideration to bright spaces, with low maintenance material selection.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/lowe2004_black_rock_v04_kitchen_g03_low.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Modern kitchens with high end appliances and bespoke cabinetry. Image credit: Lowe Group"><img alt="Modern kitchens with high end appliances and bespoke cabinetry. Image credit: Lowe Group" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/lowe2004_black_rock_v04_kitchen_g03_low.jpg?itok=om_9eBKD" style="width: 580px; height: 322px;" title="Modern kitchens with high end appliances and bespoke cabinetry. Image credit: Lowe Group"></a>

<figcaption>Modern kitchens with high-end appliances and bespoke cabinetry. Image credit: Lowe Group</figcaption></figure>U: Do you ever experience buyers making customisation requests prior to construction? 

TL: This part of our Lowe Living offering, where we engage closely with our buyer to ensure they understand the particulars of their future home and allow them to personalise their home prior to construction. We promote them to consider how the space can work for them and ensure the space is how they envisioned when we deliver the final product. We are conscious of our client’s unique individual preferences, in terms of how they like to live within their home. We also offer a professional service from the Managing Director through to the Project Architect to ensure every detail is covered. We find all our clients engage in this service before construction and this is evident across all our projects to date.

U: What are the key design trends of 2019 you've found to be the most popular among buyers of your developments?

TL: Personalisation and a strong focus on Client Services (customer services), first and foremost. 2019 has seen a more astute and considered buyer enter the market, as the dynamic of the market has changed. Our buyers are expecting more engagement with the product and a better level of customer service. Buying off the plan is almost becoming more akin to a process of building your own home, where buyers want to be involved throughout the entire process including frequent inspections and being kept up to date with progress and activity. We have responded to this market with a dedicated Client Services team, where our client is at the forefront of our business.
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Olivia Round

"Buying off the plan is almost becoming more akin to a process of building your own home" says Lowe Group's Tim Lowe

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A Melbourne woman has faced court accused of passing herself off as a conveyancer to transfer property into her own name.
Marina Loprese, 56, is charged with 159 offences dating from 2015, including allegations she stole the title to a $2 million Black Rock property and made and used false documents to transfer it into her name.
The Derrimut woman's case came before Melbourne Magistrates' Court today, is also accused of making false documents including bank statements and lease agreements to obtain false mortgages from AET Corporate Trust and Advantage Financial Services.
Between March 2016 and May last year Loprese dishonestly obtained $1.526 million by deception, police allege.
It's alleged she falsely lodged exemptions with Victoria's State Revenue Office in the name of multiple conveyancing clients, allowing her to keep money paid to her by clients who intended the funds to cover the stamp duty on land transfers.
The consumer watchdog issued a public warning about Loprese, who also allegedly used the names Marina Dawson and Marina Dankovic, operating under the name Marina's Conveyancing.
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Alleged conveyancer Marina Loprese alleged to have stolen title to $2 million Black Rock property

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A home in Black Rock, south east of Melbourne, is set to push the suburb record having been listed with a guide of $6 million by its musician vendor Rhett May. 
The incredible pad featured as Tony Mokbel’s house in the TV series Fat Tony &amp; Co.
The bayside property has six bedrooms and six bathrooms across two separate buildings, connected by a central swimming pool.
In the swimming pool is a swim-up mezzanine bar. There's access from the courtyard to the theatre room and a wine cellar.
<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/2019/1/10/Black1.jpg" alt="">
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-black+rock-130198370" target="_blank">striking sculptured home</a> on 950 sqm was built in 2005 on the Beach Road dress circle.
The property last traded for $855,000 in 2000 before its build.
Its external and internal design inspiration came from all corners of the world, from Paris to Beijing, Santorini and Dubai.
<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/2019/1/10/Black2.jpg" alt="">
There's an eight person rooftop spa with views over the water.
The home is being marketed as an exotic beach-side resort 365 days of the year.
The current Black Rock record stands at $6.1 million, set in 2017 when a five bedroom Ebden Avenue home sold.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Black Rock home to challenge suburb record

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Bridgford House, a Black Rock property designed by the late architect Robin Boyd, has been sold to another Melbourne architect by fellow architect Maggie Edmond, widow of the late architect Peter Corrigan.
The landmark home was bought by Melbourne University architecture lecturer Catherine Duggan and her hospitality industry partner Maz Salt, who owns popular restaurants including Belleville and Ferdyduke.
It was the home built in the mid 1950s for Charles and Phyllis Bridgford at a cost of £9,500. It ranked as Boyd's largest commission at the time.
The single-level classic home has been kept in its original state its longtime second owners although the keen sailor's dry dock boat room was converted into living space the mid-1960s by a then slightly daunted Maggie Edmond for her parents who'd bought it in 1958.
The home which has four bedrooms and a secluded paved garden with fish pond was sold by Jellis Craig agent Belinda Anderson who had a $2.7 million to $2.9 million guide. 
It was Anderson's 18th Boyd sale. There were concerns, that without heritage protection, the property designed by the Melbourne mid-century modernist architect Robin Boyd, faced demolition due to its prize 655 square metre Beach Road location facing Half Moon Bay Beach.
Built to a linear plan with all rooms facing north, modernist devotees marvelled the sheer cleverness of Boyd's craft still on view; the inbuilt cabinetry, dividing kitchen shelving, an indoor to outdoor dining table and groundbreaking walls of glazing.
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian.
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Robin Boyd-designed Black Rock snapped up by architect 

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Chellow Dene, the historic eclectic home in Melbourne's Black Rock, has been listed for sale.
It was one of the speculative-built villas of notable architect, and late 1950s Melbourne Lord Mayor, Brigadier Sir Bernard Evans.
Evans was the youngest battalion commander in the AIF when sent to the Middle East, in the defence of Tobruk in 1941, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
The home comes with a leadlight panel of the architect's Manchester village.
Set on a 645 square metre <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-black+rock-128149590" target="_blank">Middleton Street parcel</a>, Chellow Dene has six bedrooms and three bathrooms.
The listing through Branon Real Estate agent Cam Saba comes with permits for two three level, four bedroom homes designed by architect Peter Wright.
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australia. 
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Eclectic Black Rock trophy villa listed

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Injured Aussie cricketer Peter Siddle and fiancee Anna Weatherlake have secured a $1.94 million building block in Black Rock, the bayside Melbourne suburb. 
They are ready to build their dream home on the 913 sqm block, which is 200 metres from the bay. It was the first time offered in nearly 80 years.
They've commissioned McKimm Architecture and Design to create something really special and we are looking forward to that next chapter of our lives”.
As to whether his next home will have more room for a bit of backyard cricket, Siddle can’t say for sure.
“Maybe a little bit of room for cricket or basketball, but I don’t know what Anna will say about that – she’ll probably want the space for more animals.”
Anna suggested on her Instagram page that getting more animals is non negotiable.
Jumping for joy infront of the sold sign, Anna hashtagged '#ImPuttingAChookHouseInside' and '#NonNegotiable' '#MoreDogs' '#MoreChooks'
The couple also posed for a video infront of the for sale sign with their four dogs.
They're moving from Ormond, where they sold their renovated 1920s California bungalow for $2.05 million.
Siddle paid $1.45 million for the four bedroom home in 2012.
It came with a cinema room and outdoor jacuzzi.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
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