A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

Sherpa Group has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at Flourish Soleira in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

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The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

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The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

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Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with Flourish Amargo, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Joel Robinson

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

Commercial

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The new Melbourne Markets warehouses have been sold for $77.4 million to the Sydney-based property investment and asset management company, Propertylink.
The markets are a huge infrastructure project led by the Victorian government involving the relocation of the fruit, vegetable and flower markets from Footscray to Epping in Melbourne’s North.
Initial facilities will be open in 2015, with the 15.6-hectare site to be fully developed over the next decade.
The purchase reflected an initial passing yield of 9.6%.
It involves five warehouses over 76,000 square metres with 41 tenants so far, with leases ranging from five to 10 years. 
The Melbourne Markets have been located at Footscray since 1969 and the relocation to Epping, 20 kilometres north of the CBD, is hoped to provide wholesalers and retailers with improved transport access.
It will almost triple the available warehouse space. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Melbourne Markets at Epping sold in $77 million deal

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Ray White is set to host a combined commercial property auction in Broadbeach next month.
The August 15 event will see 12 properties up for sale from Ray White Commercial Southport, Ray White Industrial Gold Coast and Ray White Commercial Gold Coast.
Auctioneer Richard Impiombato said there is a diverse mix of properties on offer, from office complexes to development sites and retail assets.
“The listings come from as far south as Burleigh Heads to as far as north as Eagleby in Logan City,” said Impiombato, who expects a strong turnout for the auction.
“We have an impressive line-up of properties including a modern warehouse/showroom complex at 3/2 Breakwater Street, Merrimac, being<a href="https://www.commercialview.com.au/unit-3-2-6-breakwater-street-merrimac/commercial-both-details-6921967" target="_blank"> marketed by Kristoffer Sonter of Ray White Commercial</a> Southport,” he said (pictured above).
“Another standout listing is a standalone headquarter building at 34 Nerang St, Nerang, which has three levels of office space and basement parking for 30 vehicles." <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/southport/1150543/" target="_blank">The office block</a>, marketed by Wayne Devenport of Ray White Commercial Southport, is pictured below.
<img src="/images/2014/07/30/comm2.jpg" alt="">
The auction is scheduled for 11am on Friday, August 15 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach.
It's planned to be the first of a regular series of combined commercial property auctions, with others scheduled for October, November and December.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Twelve commercial properties up for grabs at Gold Coast auction event

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A 350-apartment development is coming to Brisbane's inner north.
The Arden Group has launched Jade, a $200 million master planned community set on 1.4 hectares by Ascot, Clayfield and Hamilton. The first sales stage will comprise 150 apartments over two six storey buildings. The first, called 'Sage', will have 60 apartments, while 'Fern' will have 90 apartments.
With completion expected in late 2015, the development will offer one, two and three bedroom apartments, ranging from 60 square metres to 160 square metres. Off the plan prices begin at $392,000, with the most expensive three bedroom apartment costing $990,000. Prices for the 24 three bedroom apartments begin at $670,000.
According to Arden Group director Steve Walsh, the development is located in a rapidly growing lifestyle market.
"Jade’s convenient location less than 10 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD and airport as well as its close proximity to Brisbane’s best urban restaurants and lifestyle precincts makes it an excellent choice for owner resident buyers,” said Walsh.
“High quality, affordable apartment product in Albion is hard to come by due to the suburb’s highly constrained land supplies and we’re anticipating a lot of interest in this particular development.
There will be four towers in total at Jade, each six levels high, with construction expected to complete in December 2015.
“Apartments of this size are experiencing the highest demand in a decade, particularly for young professionals looking for convenience and empty nesters looking to downsize and remain within easy reach of the city,” said Walsh.
“Combined with the development’s competitive price points and more buyers being drawn to property in the area, we’re expecting a strong level of enquiry.”
Jade will include three "park-like areas", with two barbecue areas. There will also be a gym and pool with sun deck and spa. Each apartment will include at least one secure basement car park.
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Arden Group launches $200 million Albion development

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With a positive outlook being seen in Australia’s agricultural commodities market, private investment syndicates are turning towards owning and developing broiler farms, according to Colliers International research.
The latest Rural and Agribusiness Research and Forecast Report 2014 from Colliers International has seen the best performing agribusiness sector in Australia being poultry, and indicates that the bottom of the market may have passed.
In fact, increased food demand and improved availability of finance, along with an improving global economy, could be behind the change, explained Tim Altschwager, national director of rural and agribusiness for Colliers.
“The poultry sector is arguably the best financially performing agribusiness enterprise in Australia, currently based on the projections which show that chicken meat is to remain Australia's most consumed meat in the medium term,” Altschwager said.
“This demand is creating passive investment opportunities for acquisition of assets on sale and leaseback models for long terms of 10 to 20 years with double digit yields,” he said.
“Syndicates of private investors are developing and owning the new-age broiler farms producing millions of chickens per annum. Sophisticated investors have the opportunity to take a larger share of the market, with 70 per cent currently owned by two processing companies Ingham and Baiada.”
The cotton industry is also of note, with property transactions high in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
“This region is experiencing demand for properties due to a lower capital cost of land when compared to cotton farms in northern regions, typically higher water security and similar yields. The MIA is also experiencing significant growth in ginning demand,” he said.
“China is stock piling cotton for future production, increasing the demand for cotton textiles which in turn makes them the largest importer of Australian cotton, accounting for 68% of our total production.”
Rural beef properties, however, has been tracking below average for the last five years due to drought, said director of research Mark Courtney.
“Although excess supply has been compounded by poor seasonal conditions leading to below pre-GFC levels and a number of distressed assets on the market, it is important to note that gains have been made in the first half of 2014,” he said.
“Furthermore, as most of the receiver stock is selling, the increase in transactional activity and competition in the market is leading to a slight rise in confidence.”
The wine industry’s assets are also still near the bottom of the cycle, however Courtney noted that this may provide an opportunity for cash-rich counter cyclical investors due to low entry costs.
“At current asset values Australia's wine industry sector represents the greatest potential for capital growth over the longer term,” he said.
“The most sought after assets are vertically integrated business in strategic locations, such as the Barossa Valley.”
In fact, Property Observer has only recently reported that a <a href="/news/chinese-snap-up-barossa-valley-chateau-yaldara-winery">Chinese-owned, South Australian-based company has paid about $15.5 million for the Yaldara Winery</a>, one of the most picturesque and attractive wine tourist destinations in South Australia.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Private investment syndicates eye broiler farms, but wine the best opportunity

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Investa Land has exchanged contracts for their Central Coast Kooindah Waters Residential Golf and Spa Resort to ensure the company's focus remains on residential and industrial property.
Harman Global Holdings are the buyers of the 18 hole golf course, 108 room Mercure resort and remaining residential lots, in an off market transaction.
<img src="/images/2014/07/28/kooindah-july-28-breakout.jpg" alt="">
Investa Land chief executive officer Cameron Holt said that this is a strategic sale for the business.
“Investa Land acquired Kooindah Waters as part of a broader portfolio. The golf course and resort elements of this project are not core assets and are not consistent with our business model,” said Holt. They had bought the 95 hectare site in Wyong as part of its acquisition of Clarendon Property Group in 2005.
It includes a purpose built day spa, six conference rooms, restaurant, bar, 25 metre indoor lap pool, outdoor pool, tennis courts, gym and spa.
“The divestment will enable the company to focus on the delivery of sustainable residential and industrial development projects,” he said.
He noted that they were not intending to sell the residential component of the resort, however Harman wanted the remaining land in addition to the assets they were selling.
Investa Land will continue to be involved in the operations of the resort until an expected November 2014 settlement, and Harman has noted that Accor and Troon Golf will continue to manage the property after this time.
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Investa Land sells golf and spa resort to focus on residential and industrial

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The dream of late Gold Coast developer Keith Williams at Port Hinchinbrook in north Queensland, has been listed for sale.
Liquidators FTI Consulting have engaged CBRE to sell the Hinchinbrook Island Resort and Port Hinchinbrook assets.
The high profile Cardwell properties, located at the halfway point between Cairns and Townsville, were developed by the late Keith Williams. 
CBRE’s Danny Betros and Rem Rafter will steer the sales campaign with offers closing 26 August.
The Hinchinbrook Island Resort closed in 2010, just prior to Cyclone Yasi, while the commercial tenancies at Port Hinchinbrook were closed in 2011, as a result of damage caused by the cyclone.
Cardwell is situated on the Bruce Highway, 171 kilometres north of Townsville and 203 kilometres south of Cairns at the gateway to the Cassowary Coast Region. 
The FTI offering comprises two distinct assets: Port Hinchinbrook, comprising circa 94.5 hectares of land at Cardwell, and the Hinchinbrook Island Resort situated 8 kilometres off the Cardwell coast.
Port Hinchinbrook was developed in the 1990s, with marina basins and boat channels formed at Oyster Point. Developer Williams Corp created more than 200 single residential, medium density residential and commercial lots adjacent to the marina.
Current improvements include a tavern, a marina office and a single level commercial building. There is also capacity to rebuild the 200-250-berth Port Hinchinbrook Marina, which was substantially destroyed by Cyclone Yasi.
Also up for sale is the Hinchinbrook Island Resort, which was developed under a special crown lease on 8.26ha of waterfront site with frontage to Turtle Beach.
Improvements include 22 accommodation units, a lodge which was used for dining and recreational purposes, staff accommodation, water, electricity, sewerage infrastructure, a pool and a jetty/mooring site.
However, Mr Betros said the resort had suffered extensive damage since Cyclone Yasi.
<a href="https://www.porthinchinbrook.com.au/about/developer" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Keith Williams</a> was a visionary who for well over four decades built Queensland’s major tourist attractions starting with Sea World on the Southport Spit in the 1970s, then Hamilton Island Resort and Harbour in the 1980s.
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Keith Williams' Port Hinchinbrook dream for sale

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A Chinese-owned, South Australian-based company has paid about $15.5 million for the Yaldara Winery, one of the most picturesque and attractive wine tourist destinations in South Australia.
Two senior winemakers will be retained to help retain the quality of vineyard’s ports and sherries during the transition.
The sale is reliant on new owners, 1847 Winery, receiving a liquor licence for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Yaldara" target="_blank">chateau</a>.
It was founded by the Hermann Thumm in 1947 after he emigrated in 1946.
The Lyndoch location was chosen on the banks of the North Para River at an old flour mill dating back to 1867.
 The winery was named Yaldara after the local aboriginal word meaning "sparkling". After over 50 years ownership Hermann Thumm sold the winery in 1999 to the wine company McGuigan Wines, the latest vendors.
The 1847 company reportedly secured its initial SA operation from the former international businessman, John Curnow, and his wife, Sue. It was at Rowland Flat in the Barossa, with the niche brand 1847 Fine Wines, named after the original survey date of the property.
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The Curnow's pursued the Chinese investor market through the Gaetjens Langley Guangzhou office before its 2011 sale.
Arthur Wang, a resident of Sydney with property interests in both Sydney and Qingdao, struck a deal for the walk in-walk out sale of 1847 <a href="https://www.wineryforsale.com.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Ed-6-Newsletter-July-2011.pdf" target="_blank">which was featured on the cover of Valuer &amp; Broker in mid-2011</a>.
John Curnow family continues to consult to the business. 
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Officially 1847 is owned by Zhitai Wang and Kuifen Wang from Adelaide’s sister city Qingdao, in Shandong province in China.
The McGuigan's will concentrate on building sales in its McGuigan, Tempus Two and Nepenthe brands.
Picture courtesy of <a class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/30659367@N00" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Graeme Churchard</a>a/ <a class="mw-mmv-license cc-license" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0</a>. 
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Chinese snap up Barossa Valley Chateau Yaldara winery

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A little-known Chinese-backed development company has bought the Melbourne development site offloaded by AXF Group property tycoon Richard Gu for around $60 million. It last officially traded at $17 million in 2007.
The ­Kinnears Rope Factory is a four-hectare site in Footscray some six kilometres west of Melbourne’s CBD.
It has been bought by a R&amp;F Estate Pty Ltd, a company directed by Jing Lu of Riverwood in Sydney, though the major shareholder is the Glen Waverley based Australia King Eagle Investment Pty Ltd, directed by Jiandong Huang. The ultimate holding company is Australia Star Tower Development Pty Ltd.
The Ropeworks site at 124-188 Ballarat Road is bound by Kinnear Street to the north, Farnsworth Road to the east and Ballarat Road to the south. Significant buildings within the precinct including the Boiler House, Mills, and the ‘rope walk’.
The Kinnears rope making business was established in 1874 and relocated to the site in 1902. It closed in 2002, with the property sold at $8 million.
The municipality has been pinpointed as needing to accommodate between 13,000 and 16,000 additional households by 2030, with a dwelling yield of 1,350 dwellings representing 26% of private dwellings within the suburb of Footscray, based on 2006 ABS census data.
Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy approved plans for around 1,500 homes in 2012 after the work by <a href="https://tract.com.au/project/kinnears-ropeworks/" target="_blank">Tract Consultants</a>.
The Australian Financial Review reports that Friday's sale was brokered by CBRE director Mark Wizel according to industry rumours, though Wizel did not provide confirmation to the paper.
The Australian Dictionary of Biography says George Kinnear migrated to Melbourne in 1864 to establish a rope plant for James Miller &amp; Co.
He established his own Colonial Rope Works at Moonee Ponds in 1874, a small but lucrative business, specializing in lashings, clothes-lines and hayband.
The business was sold to sons Edward and Henry in 1899, for £340.
Edward had left Essendon State School at 13 to help in the business.
Trading as George Kinnear &amp; Sons, in 1902 they transferred the works to the larger site at Footscray expanding steadily through the Kinnears' innovative and aggressive organisation and marketing, tariff protection and wartime demands.
The workforce grew to some 200 in 1915.
Kinnears expanded in 1970s when it made inroads into the carpet industry.
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Footscray flip yields huge gain for Richard Gu's Kinnears Rope Factory site

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Supermarket chain Coles Liquor has secured its first hotel nationally in four years on Hope Island, Queensland.
Knight Frank director of hotels, Craig Harley negotiated the Coles Liquor acquisition for the business leasehold interest of Marina Quays Tavern at 93 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island.
“The substantial hotel property is adjacent to a planned shopping centre, retirement village, service station, and is surrounded by residential development which enjoys high visibility and extensive passing traffic,” continued Harley.
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Coles Liquor secures Hope Island, Gold Coast tavern

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GUEST OBSERVATION
While many vendors and owners believe that spring is the only ‘golden’ time of the year, the period between now and spring is actually a fantastic period to both buy and sell.
I believe it is important to create a point of difference for a property and importantly, not to compete in an overcrowded and noisy market, as property stock levels increase dramatically in spring.
If you have a challenging property, it is still going to be challenging in spring, perhaps more so as you will be up against so many other standout properties.
We have seen the property market as fairly consistent, month in month out, for the last few years. You don’t have to follow the masses. My advice would be to get in before spring; there are plenty of other times in the year to sell if your property doesn’t tick all the boxes.
We don’t always subscribe to what everyone else does, as the property market is actually quite random and sporadic at times.
Most real estate agencies are geared towards the seasonal aspect, and in Melbourne, that is spring.
But we now live and operate in a global economy. It's worth considering that when it is spring in Melbourne, it is autumn in Beijing and Asia is now a very important market force.
Property is a global commodity and the Asian market is impacting markets from London to New York - it's a market that is only going to get stronger in the future. It’s not a local market any more - there are hot spots all around the world. Asia, and specifically China, are deploying funds and investing in property around the world. Melbourne is one of the preferred destinations due to the quality of education and lifestyle as one of the worlds top 10 cities.
Everything has changed and you cannot do the same things now that you did 20 years ago - it won't necessarily work anymore. 
Andrew Fawell is director of <a href="https://www.bellergroup.com.au/" target="_blank">Beller Property Group</a>. 
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