Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

<main data-perf-region="main">
Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

Commercial

<html><body>
The art deco Dorijo apartments at 458 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne have been sold for $4.95 million.
Heritage watchers are now worried as to its fate, hoping for its restoration.
It was offered through <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/print/7782056.pdf" target="_blank">Teska Carson</a>.
The art deco block has 12 strata units sold in one line. Some leases were still existing.
With weekly rents upwards from $260, its income was around $175,000 annually, reflecting a 3.5% yield. 
Its land area is 647 square set between Powlett and Hoddle streets.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Art deco Dorijo apartment block sells at 458 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne

<html><body>
Aspen Group has acquired the Four Lanterns Estate, a residential manufactured housing estate located in Leppington in south-west Sydney.
The $7.4 million purchase - Aspen Group’s first accommodation property acquisition in the Sydney metropolitan area - reflects an initial yield of 7.6%.
Located within the Leppington Town Centre, the freehold property is 800 metres from the new Leppington railway station.
Significant infrastructure is currently being installed in the surrounding area, including the upgrade of the Camden Valley Way to a four lane divided carriageway.
Four Lanterns Estate has been established for over 40 years, with 102 existing residential sites, with a 100% occupancy level. It is marketed as an alternative, affordable option for the over 50s, a low-maintenance lifestyle in your own brand-new manufactured home.
"There is development potential to increase the number of residential sites subject to council approval," said Clem Salwin, the Aspen chief executive officer. 
The 3.9 hectare property has recently been rezoned to R3 Medium Density residential.
Aspen Group has also secured a first right of refusal to acquire an adjacent 2.5 hectare site.
Situated 40 kilometres from Sydney, and <a href="https://www.fourlanterns.com.au/index" target="_blank">originally the Red Mill Caravan Park</a>, the Estate has been a family-owned small residential park since 1971.
</body></html>

Aspen Group pay $7.4 million for Four Lanterns Estate, Leppington

<html><body>
<div>
Queensland House, a six-storey building on The Strand in central London, has been listed for sale by the Queensland government.
</div>
It is the office of the Queensland Agent General Ken Smith and his staff.
News Ltd papers suggest property agents tip up to $38 million for the 1980s office building.
<a href="https://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1100/93666.php" target="_blank">393 The Strand</a>, which has retail premises, was reportedly purchased by the state for about $4 million.
</body></html>

Queensland House, London offices set for sale by Queensland government

<html><body>
One of Australia's most well-known franchisors says he also offered to buy pie franchise Pie Face while it was in administration but administrators Jirsch Sutherland failed to follow up on his bid.
Tom Potter is best known as the founder of pizza chain Eagle Boys but he has a wealth of other franchising experience under his belt.
Potter has served on the board of several retail companies, including bakery franchise Brumby's. More recently he has built the Crusty Devil Bakehouse franchise, while also serving as chairman of burger chain Burger Urge.
Speaking to SmartCompany this week, Potter says he contacted Jirsch Sutherland on multiple occasions to attempt to speak to the administrators about his interest in purchasing the franchise.
Potter's revelation comes after Franchised Food Company chief executive Stan Gordon told SmartCompany he also had difficulty reaching the administrators to discuss buying the company, which entered voluntary administration in late November.
This week Gordon labelled the administration process as "disgraceful", after Pie Face creditors voted to support a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) to save the company from liquidation in late December.
But Jirsch Sutherland managing partner Sule Arnautovic told SmartCompany Jirsch Sutherland only received one offer for part of the Pie Face group, but the offer was not "remotely close" to the proposed returns to creditors under the DOCA.
In emails seen by SmartCompany, Potter clearly stated to Jirsch Sutherland that he was an "interested buyer".
Potter also expressed an interest in acting as an adviser or management consultant to the administrators "on various areas of the business including franchising, production, overall profit and future options evaluation, marketing".
"I wanted to advise you over the last few years other than being partially retired I have built the Crusty Devil Bakehouse model from scratch ... and have intimate knowledge of the pie, café, bakery business," Potter wrote in one email.
Potter sent emails to Jirsch Sutherland on December 9, 10, 11, 15 and 23. On one occasion he received a response to say his details had been passed on the administrators managing Pie Face but says it wasn't until Christmas Eve that he received a phone call to inform him that a sale process would not proceed.
Potter told SmartCompany he was serious about his offer and he wouldn't have contacted Jirsch Sutherland if he wasn't.
"I made multiple approaches to buy Pie Face but I was ignored three times," Potter says.
"I received one email saying 'I'll pass on the information to the person handling the administration' but I didn't hear a word until Christmas Eve."
Potter says he was unable to specify an amount he was willing to pay for Pie Face as he did not receive an information memorandum.
Jirsch Sutherland managing partner Sule Arnautovic confirmed this to SmartCompany, saying Potter never made a formal offer for the business.
"They never signed a non-disclosure agreement, they never even got to the first formal stage of the acquisition process," Arnautovic says.
"They never paid the $40 fee to receive the summary information memorandum, they never made any offer, they never did any detailed due diligence via us or the Pie Face management team."
"Mr Potter offered his services as a consultant to Pie Face and any interest he had in acquiring the business appeared to be secondary to his desire to provide services to the Pie Face Group."
While Potter says it is "hard to know" what improvements are needed to the Pie Face business, he says he would have "looked at it as a turnaround".
"I would have worked at turning around the business quickly and then decide what to do. It would not have been a long-term interest."
And like Franchise Advisory Centre executive director Jason Gehrke, Potter also questioned the benefit to Pie Face creditors of the DOCA that was accepted at the end of December.
"The big question is why the creditors would accept a deal that would pay them 14 cents in the dollar in two years' time," he says.
This article was originally published on Smart Company.
</body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

Eagle Boys founder also offered to buy Pie Face amid administration woes

<html><body>
Strong investor interest in the caravan park and retirement village market is continuing, with Sea Wings Village at Anna Bay sold for $6,993,000. It is an over 55s resort at Frost Road, Anna Bay.
The sale of the Port Stephens located village was negotiated by Ray White Commercial Burleigh’s Sam Johnson on behalf of a private seller. It is just one of four caravan parks sold in the Tweed region this year already, with the transactions totalling more than $12 million.
“This latest transaction was conducted off market,” said Johnson.
Multiple offers were achieved on the back of his database within 48 hours of sending out information about the property.
It includes 150 manufactured houses, a manager’s office and residence, swimming pool, tennis court and community hall. The business earns a gross annual income of $1 million per annum.
“Caravan parks and manufactured housing estates are playing an increasingly important role in meeting the housing requirements of the ageing population in Australia,” he said.
“Both institutional investors and cashed up private investors are entering this sector of the market, chasing the secure income afforded by these assets.”
The new owner is a Sydney-based private fund.
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Investors entering caravan and retirement village markets: Ray White

<html><body>
While the economy’s not booming, it is improving, according to CBRE’s Market Outlook Australia report.
The report notes that average yields are expected to decrease next year in retail and industrial property.
Offices are expected to see stabilising average yields.
<img src="/images/2014/12/10/cbre%20dec%2010%20one.png" alt="">
Source: CBRE
However, while 2014 has seen a downward shift in yields in all three sectors and varying conditions in tenant markets, 2015’s limited rent growth expectations should be seen as a slight positive coming off of a softening yield year.
“Our broad view is that prime yields will stabilise through the year as the rent cycle is weak and IRRs remains steady. Further softening in Perth/Brisbane offsets modest compression in Sydney/Melbourne in 1H 2015,” the CBRE report noted.
Looking towards industrial, however, they noted that prime warehouse continues to perform well in comparison to secondary stock. Those with prime warehouse assets may see some rental growth.
Larger format retail and sub-regional/neighbourhood centres are also expected to outperform in the retail category, while those with prime retail may not have such a good 2015.
For the majority of commercial assets it seems CBRE is predicting a slow growth environment.
</body></html>

Commercial rent expectations for 2015: CBRE

<html><body>
A private local developer has paid $48 million for the Chapel Street site, a large land parcel in the heart of Rockdale. 
The sale was negotiated by Savills Australia on behalf of <a href="https://ninemsn.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/2011303987/for-sale/nsw/rockdale/development-land" target="_blank">Rockdale City Council</a>.
Situated between Bay Street and Lister Avenue, it spans 7,419 square metres across three sites.
The holding is zoned part B2 Local Centre and part R4 High Density Residential under the Rockdale Local Environment Plan 2011. 
 Council provided a concept plan which indicates the potential for over 300 units plus retail space.
“Rockdale and surrounding suburbs such as Wolli Creek, Arncliffe, Brighton le Sands and Kogarah are the focus of a new wave of development activity that is regenerating southern Sydney’s key urban precincts,” according to selling agents Robert Lowe of Savills Metropolitan &amp; Regional Sales and David Poppleton of Savills Residential Special Projects.
</body></html>

Rockdale's Chapel Street site sold for $48 million

<html><body>
Kulangoor’s big cow has been officially handed over to new owners for the first time in 14 years.
The icon is among the 150 ‘BIG’ things scattered across Australia that make up some of the country's most loved attractions, from the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour to the big boxing crocodile at Humpty Doo.
The spotlight has been thrown on the Big Cow with its sale being confirmed earlier in the week.
ONE Agency Noosa principal Grant Baker said a successful marketing campaign was the driving force behind the sale.
“The team at ONE Agency Noosa has worked diligently to create an outcome where both buyers and sellers are happy,” Grant said.
The property was first designed as the Country World tourist attraction. It had a working dairy farm with Ayrshire cows. Visitors could learn firsthand how dairy farms were run.
The property was last sold in 2000 and was run as The Outdoor Centre for years. Owners then transformed it into the Nambour Regional Training Centre.
Since then the training centre has been leasing out its facilities to companies across Australia. Tenants include marines and mining and disability industries.  
Over the past 14 years the big cow has became synonymous with the property. Sculpted by Hugh Anderson, who also did the big bulls at Rockhampton, the big cow is an exact replica of an Ayrshire cow, only seven times bigger.
The big cow also became home to Sunshine Coast’s first sea and air rescue helicopter, with the old helipad on site.
The complex has 70 parking spaces and has easy access off and on the Bruce Highway. 
Picture: Stuart Edwards/<a class="mw-mmv-license" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>.
 
</body></html>

owisniewski-RiYLqnXfKH

Queensland’s Big Cow icon sold after owners decide to moo-ve on

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
People are pretty comfortable with the idea of residential property investment. 
Most people (I’m guessing) have lived in a house or a unit before; many have also rented them.  So it’s a known quantity and having a few houses in our portfolio makes us feel pretty good.
Now, maybe you’ve been to realestate.com.au on the odd occasion, and you’ve noticed the ‘commercial’ tab on the far right.  A quick search in your local area brings up a plethora of offices, retail shops, warehouses, hotels and even commercial farms, many with the words ‘outstanding opportunity’. 
So is commercial property investment something within the reach of all property investors?  How does it compare to investing in residential property?  Should you be looking to diversify into commercial? 
Well the attractiveness and suitability of any investment boils down to risk vs return.  So let’s compare the two asset classes:
<ul>
<li>Returns</li>
</ul>
Show me the money, as they say.  Here, commercial has the upper hand with returns usually around 6-8%, and sometimes significantly higher for the real 'unicorns'. Residential returns are a little lower at 4-5%, but as you’ll see, less risky and cheaper.
<ul>
<li>Vacancy</li>
</ul>
One of the biggest risks in property is the vacancy rate.  How long can you afford to make repayments and pay outgoings on a property receiving no income? 
Residential property has lower vacancy rates than commercial.  A house or unit may stand vacant for a few weeks before it’s rented, whereas a warehouse, a shop or an office might be vacant for months or years at a time. 
The commercial leasing sector tends to be more affected by the economic climate - they’ll lay off staff and consolidate space when times are tough, causing a contraction in demand for space, whereas individuals still need somewhere to live.  That tends to make the residential property sector a bit more stable.
<ul>
<li>Rental / Lease agreements</li>
</ul>
In the residential world, striking a deal with a tenant is pretty straightforward with much of the common terms (or boilerplate) outlined in a mandated Residential Tenancies Agreement.  All you need to consider are your variables like lease term, rental amount, bond, etc. 
In the commercial world, there’s no statutory authority to tell you how to reach agreement - it’s all up for negotiation (there are conventions though).  Commercial leases run to dozens of pages and include things like incentives paid by the lessor to put towards fit out, and make good clauses, specifying if and how the tenant should return the tenancy when they vacate.  You’ll need specialist property lawyers or a tenant advisor to help with this process.
<ul>
<li>Cost</li>
</ul>
Square metre for square metre, commercial real estate is often cheaper than residential property (unless you’re talking about CBD office space north of $700 a square metre per annum) but because you’re buying more square metres per property, commercial is usually dearer in real terms.  And you have outgoings such as electricity, security, and base building maintenance to consider, however these are passed on to the tenant in some way (net or gross lease). 
In commercial, it’s easier to pass on costs if utility prices climb, but harder to do so with residential property.
<ul>
<li>Maintenance</li>
</ul>
A dripping tap or faulty ceiling fan in a residential property is an annoyance to a tenant and something you should get fixed promptly to keep your tenant happy.  However in the commercial world, tenants tend to be more demanding, particularly if the fault or shortcoming is costing them money - for example the air conditioning breaking down in a shopping centre in summer. 
For this reason, you’ll need a professional property manager with agreements in place with services contractors like air conditioning technicians, plumbers, electricians, security contractors, and who knows the language of that world.
<ul>
<li>So which is better?</li>
</ul>
You may get sick of hearing me say this, but it really comes down to your personal financial strategy, your financial situation, and your appetite for risk &amp; return. 
Before investing in property or any asset class, know what you’re getting into, retain good advice and don’t overcommit yourself. 
For many investors, commercial property represents ‘the next level’ where the scale is greater, the sums are larger, and the returns are higher.
Owen Davis is the principal of <a href="https://dfgproperty.com.au/" target="_blank">DFG Property</a>, a full service property management, finance &amp; sales firm based in Sydney. 
Owen has over 15 years experience in property financing, real estate and property management.
</body></html>

OwenDavis-dWJoq5LscE

Residential or commercial - which should I invest in?

<html><body>
Peter Rhodes, the managing director of Reed Midem UK, is in Sydney this week to seek Australian interest in the 2015 MIPIM Japan exhibition.
Reed Midem, which has run the highly successful MIPIM Cannes exhibition for 25 years, says the Japanese government sought out the group to inaugurate the real estate forum for property leaders and finance professionals from all asset classes to explore opportunities in Japan and identify potential investment sources.
He says the timing of <a href="https://www.mipimjapan.jp" target="_blank">MIPIM Japan</a> coincided with nascent signs of renewed interest in ventures between Japanese and Australian partners after a dormant decade or so.
Recently EG Funds Management inked a $300 million partnership deal with Japan's largest home builder, Daiwa House, to redevelop the former Allied Mills site at Summer Hill.
He noted Japan investment abroad has jumped up from US$763 million in 2010 to US$3,118 million in 2013.
Ad despite the recession Tokyo stands as the first city targeted for property investment in Asia Pacific and ranks fourth in the world in 2014
"With over €4 billion inbound international property investment in 2013, Japan ranked 6th in the world," <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=37310297&amp;authType=NAME_SEARCH&amp;authToken=YcTb&amp;locale=en_US&amp;srchid=1644771001416977125970&amp;srchindex=1&amp;srchtotal=158&amp;trk=vsrp_people_res_name&amp;trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A1644771001416977125970%2CVSRPtargetId%3A37310297%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary" target="_blank">Peter Rhodes</a> said.
"For 2020 Olympics €4 billion investment in infrastructure and venues are expected, and the government aims for doubling the yearly number of foreign tourists to 20 million visitors," he said.
Exhibitors would gain visibility and recognition for real estate projects and identify potential Japanese partners and investment sources.
"This is the first real estate forum for Japanese and global leaders, joining together property and finance professionals from all asset classes – office, retail, infrastructure, leisure, residential - enabling Japanese real estate professionals to share their projects and know-how with the world and international stakeholders to source capital or new opportunities in Japan," the website for MIPIM Japan reads.
Some of the Japanese players who will be showcased include:
<ul>
<li>Mitsui Fudosan</li>
<li>Mitsubishi estate</li>
<li>Sumimoto Realty &amp; Development</li>
<li>Mori Building</li>
<li>Nomura real estate</li>
<li>Tokyo Tatemono</li>
<li>Tokyu Fudosan</li>
<li>Odakyu Electric Railway</li>
<li>Seibu Properties</li>
<li>NTT Urban Development</li>
<li>NTT Facilities</li>
<li>Sankei Building</li>
<li>Orix Real Estate</li>
<li>
Other local authorities and associations including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 
</li>
</ul>
The Olympics will be a major theme given the proximity to the 2020 event.
Ken Livingstone, the former Mayor of London (2000-2008), and key protagonist in the success of the nomination of London for the 2012 Olympics will be among the speakers at the May 20-21 event.
Hiromichi Iwasa, the chairman of Mitsui Fudosan and chairman of the Association for Real Estate Securization Chairman of the Real Estate Companies Association of Japan will also speak at the forum.
</body></html>

Commercial

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Commercial

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News