There’s a quiet patch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>, between the bustle of Glenferrie Road and the curve of the Yarra, that rarely sees change, and even more rarely, new apartments. But that’s exactly where <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pomeroy-pacific-quattro-corp">PQD</a> is planting Kooyongkoot: a deliberate, 18-residence answer to the question of what downsizers actually want.

“This is something this pocket of Hawthorn has never seen before,” says Fil Gacesa, head of sales at PQD. “<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> will deliver just 18 large-scale apartments in the heart of Hawthorn. It is the true definition of resort-style living.”

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That scale is central to the story. It’s what allows for two dedicated lift cores, short corridors, and a generous lightcourt that draws natural ventilation and sunlight into every residence. It’s also what makes room for the sort of amenity usually confined to high-density towers: a fully equipped wellness centre with infrared and traditional saunas, yoga and pilates studio, cold therapy shower, and treatment room. There’s a golf simulator, car and dog wash stations, and extensive storage too, not bolted on, but baked in from the start.

But more than the checklist, it’s the design intent that carries weight. “This project has been many years in the making,” says Mark Pomeroy, Director of PQD. “Not just in planning, but in listening, to what our buyers and the local community are looking for”.

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That listening shows up in the materials, oak floors, natural stone, V-ZUG appliances, and in how space is handled. Penthouses feature private rooftop terraces with pools. Terraces and garden residences embrace outdoor connection. Inside, the layouts skew large and open, geared for hosting, not just housing.

Architecturally, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>’s approach is grounded. There’s no reaching for spectacle here. Instead, the building offers a sculptural calm, anchored by landscaping from Eckersley Garden Architecture.&nbsp;

“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.

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That sentiment, calm, connection, echoes in the location itself. Kooyongkoot sits just a short stroll from Central Gardens, Fairview Park, and the Rivoli Cinema. Tram lines and schools are close, but the street is tucked, quiet, and leaf-lined.&nbsp;

“Residents of Kooyongkoot will be a short stroll from Fairview Park, Central Gardens, and the Glenferrie Road retail strip," Gacesa notes, "but you're also cocooned in this peaceful pocket behind extensive landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture.”

Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.

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Staff Writer

The project that said no to compromise: Inside Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn

When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;

Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.

That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.

“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”

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Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;

They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.

Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.

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The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.

Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.

“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.

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Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.

“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”

With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.

Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;

The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;

At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.

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Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.

Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.

According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" />

The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.

The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" />

The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.

Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.

With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter. 
&nbsp; 
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.

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The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;

Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.

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Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;

Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.

“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.

“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;

“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”

For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.

“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.

“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;

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Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;

“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.

“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;

“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.

“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;

“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”

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Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.

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Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;

With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.

GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Ten ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.

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The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.

Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.

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“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;

“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”

Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.

Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.

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Bask to complete Bokarina’s Sunshine Coast lifestyle precinct as final apartments are released

Hirsch & Faigen

Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen has appointed Queensland&rsquo;s largest high-rise residential builder, Hutchinson Builders, to bring its $200 million Yves development to life.

Located just metres behind the famed Hedges Avenue beachfront strip, Yves will rise on 7-9 Mermaid Avenue with construction scheduled to start in May.

The appointment of Hutchies to deliver Yves will add to the builder&rsquo;s $1.421 billion strong pipeline of 35 projects currently underway across the Gold Coast.

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Hutchies appointment comes off the back of a strong spate of sales, which saw construction fast tracked after Yves reached a 50 per cent sell-out within a matter of months.

Once complete, Yves will comprise 145 luxury residences over 26 levels, with a suite of high end residential amenities.

Yves will join Hirsch &amp; Faigen&rsquo;s growing portfolio of Gold Coast projects, following the $75 million Hemingway Palm Beach and $85 million Emerson Kirra which are currently under construction by Hutchies.

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Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director Daniel Faigen said the appointment of Hutchies launches Yves towards the next phase of its delivery.

&ldquo;This is the third time we have partnered with Hutchies on our Gold Coast projects and we&rsquo;re delighted to have the team on board to bring our latest vision, Yves, to life,&rdquo; he said.

Hutchies has emerged as a driving force behind the Gold Coast&rsquo;s development boom, with 20 of the 40 Tower Cranes currently in the Gold Coast skyline belonging to the prolific builder, and a further 15 cranes to be erected in the next 6 &ndash; 9 months.

The group is currently working on a pipeline of a further 11 Residential Towers worth almost $900 million.

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Jack Hutchinson, Associate Director of Hutchies and fifth generation family member of the business, said the company was delighted to be working with Hirsch &amp; Faigen to deliver Yves Mermaid Beach.

&ldquo;We are always quite discerning with the projects we take on, and Hirsch &amp; Faigen&rsquo;s developments are precisely the standard of quality architecture that we are proud to bring to the Gold Coast,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;We are well resourced and have over 110 years experience navigating the challenges of the industry, which has allowed us to continuously deliver high quality projects across southeast Queensland.&rdquo;

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Once complete, Yves will comprise 145 apartment across three towers, with a suite of high end residential amenities.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

Hirsch & Faigen appoint Hutchinson Builders to deliver Gold Coast apartment development, Yves

Locals have descended on Melbourne developer Hirsch &amp;&nbsp;Faigen&#39;s latest Gold Coast apartment development, Yves, with the Mermaid Beach apartments netting over $80 million in sales in the first three weeks following the launch.

The $200 million development, located at 7-9 Mermaid Avenue on the doorstep of the Gold Coast&rsquo;s sought-after millionaire&rsquo;s row&nbsp;Hedges Avenue, is making waves with Brisbane and Gold Coast downsizers, who account for 70 per cent of the early sales.

First-home buyers are also in the mix, driving one of the most successful project launches on the Gold Coast in recent months.

Designed by Rothelowman and comprising 146 apartments across three towers, Yves brings to the market a mix of&nbsp;one, two and three-bedroom designs, in addition to the premium offerings of two four-bedroom half-floor sub-penthouses and a single full-floor penthouse.

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&ldquo;The demand we&rsquo;ve experienced in recent weeks shows the market remains strong despite the latest Covid outbreaks,&rdquo; Hirsch&nbsp;&amp; Faigen&#39;s Sales Director&nbsp;Matt George said.

&ldquo;Yves is generating interest from a broad range of buyers looking for the lifestyle afforded by this exclusive pocket of Mermaid Beach, just a stroll away from Pacific Fair and the Broadbeach entertainment precinct. The Gold Coast is also still proving to be hugely popular with investors.&rdquo;

A Melbourne investor has been the most expensive buyer so far, spending nearly # million on a sub-penthouse. Negotiations are also underway on the other sub- penthouse with a price tag of $2.495 million.

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Buyers from Sydney and Melbourne accounted for 20 per cent and 10 per cent of the recent sales.

&ldquo;Brisbane buyers are predominantly buying a second property while Gold Coast buyers are either downsizing or first-home buyers,&rdquo;&nbsp;George said.

&ldquo;Five of the eight one-bedroom apartments have sold to local first home buyers.&rdquo;

One-bedroom apartments are priced from $550,000, while Yves&rsquo; ultra-luxe offering, the penthouse, is on the market for $5.5 million.

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The Yves penthouse is right at home alongside the luxury residences in nearby Hedges Avenue, offering 335 sqm of interior living space plus an additional 71 sqm of private external living.

The expansive full-floor sky home comprises four bedrooms, MPR, study, 4.5 bath, and three car spaces, while boasting a coveted north-east aspect over the Pacific Ocean and the Gold Coast city skyline.

Yves is the third project launched by Hirsch and Faigen on the Gold Coast in recent years and comes on the heels of the success of the group&rsquo;s Hemingway project at Palm Beach and Emerson at Kirra.

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Brisbane and Gold Coast downsizers accounted for 70 per cent of the early sales



Yves, Mermaid Beach apartment sales rocket on launch

Emerson, the luxury Kirra Beach, Coolangatta apartment development by Hirsch &amp; Faigen, is approaching sell-out, after a strong run of sales in early 2022.

There's only now four half-floor apartments left in the building of 27, as well as the $10 million full-floor penthouse, although that is currently in advanced negotations.

Hirsch &amp; Faigen Sales Manager Alex&nbsp;Jokovich, who has been handling the sales, said most of the enquiry, and the buyers, have been coming from the local areas, as well as Brisbane.

"It's been buyers from a small ring around Coolangatta who don't want to leave the quieter beachside neighbourhoods, and are realising opportunities to own on the Kirra Beach dress circle are few and far between,"&nbsp;Jokovich says, adding that some of the locals buyers have requested some tailored bespoke finishes in their apartments.

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The handful of interstate buyers will become&nbsp;owner-occupiers eventually, and will use the apartments as a second home until they make the move&nbsp;from the southern states.

"We've very much had those in the 50-70 years old bracket who are approaching the retirement stage, and are preparing for that eventuality and want a prime Kirra Beach address,"&nbsp;Jokovich added.

"Those interstate and from Brisbane have been really impressed with the building in terms of the finishes, and the location given its proximity to the airport. They can be on a plane and in Sydney or Melbourne&nbsp;within a couple of hours."

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The regarded building firm Hutchinsons, who are building Hirsch &amp; Faigen's first Gold Coast project, Hemingway at Palm Beach, and will also start building Yves at Mermaid Beach in mid-2022, have already started groundworks on the Musgrave St site. They're aiming for a mid-2023 completion date, with settlements pinned for September 2023.

"People have been really impressed with the finishes and know that a building firm with the track record of Hutchies will deliver exactly what is being promised to them,"&nbsp;Jokovich suggested. So much is the confidence of the project, Hutchies QLD boss and construction industry veteran Greg Quinn and wife Anne have bought two apartments in Emerson, worth $3 million each.

In their statement to the Gold Coast City Council, architecture firm Rothelowman said&nbsp;Emerson offered&nbsp;the opportunity to consolidate a historically rich, vibrant and evolving part of the City.

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"Primarily the scheme seeks to challenge the “bias of the linear coastal city” by focusing on the interfaces created between the ground plane and the public spaces of the street," the statement read.

They stated that, although Emerson was a&nbsp;relatively modestly scaled development, the prime corner location allowed the scheme to challenge the prosaic and prevalent “blunt street edges” that typify the oceanfront boulevards of the City, instead favouring a generous display of communal coastal activities.

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There's only now four half-floor apartments left in the building of 27, as well as the $10 million full-floor penthouse


Emerson, Kirra Beach luxury apartments approach sell-out

Some of the finest&nbsp;Gold Coast apartment developments have been designed by Rothelowman, one of Queensland&#39;s leading architecture practices, in recent years.

Rothel​o​wman, who has offices in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, put together the designs for The Monaco, which recently sold-out with an average sale price of around $5 million, as well as Dune at Main Beach, SPG Land&#39;s massive $800 million apartment towers on Ferny Av​enue.

Roth​e​low​man was commissioned for the first Gold Coast apartment development from the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen.

Hirsch &amp; Faigen had them design the 14-level, Palm Beach apartment development&nbsp;Hemingway, named after the famous author and featuring a distinct blush fa&ccedil;ade. That sold out all of its 78 apartments in just a few months.

For Emerson, Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s&nbsp;more boutique Kirr​a Beach, Coolangatta offering, Hirsch &amp; Faigen had the team put together something a little different to Hemingway.

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In their statement to the Gold Coast City Council, Rothelowman said&nbsp;100 Musgrave Street offered&nbsp;the opportunity to consolidate a historically rich, vibrant and evolving part of the City.

&quot;Primarily the scheme seeks to challenge the &ldquo;bias of the linear coastal city&rdquo; by focusing on the interfaces created between the ground plane and the public spaces of the street,&quot; the statement read.

They stated that, although Emerson was a&nbsp;relatively modestly scaled development, the prime corner location allowed the scheme to challenge the prosaic and prevalent &ldquo;blunt street edges&rdquo; that typify the oceanfront boulevards of the City, instead favouring a generous display of communal coastal activities.

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&quot;Historically the City has celebrated it&rsquo;s outdoor activities; pool&rsquo;s exposed to the street, sun lounges under umbrellas overlooking the footpath, gardens framing views into and out of the semi-private spaces of development.

&quot;Observations of this playfulness have been paramount in the exploration of an undercroft as the primary device in creating a permeable and porous interface between the semi-private and public realms of the City.&quot;

The Rothelowman team said that the&nbsp;overall composition of the scheme favours a simple and informed diagram that is analytical of the surrounding precinct.

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&quot;A three storey &ldquo;street building&rdquo; provides a direct response to the Cities desire to create a strong &ldquo;Urban Ground&rdquo;. This is further accentuated through a series of dancing, curved and landscaped balconies that shift amongst a rational and expressed structural order which ties the ground to the tower .

&quot;A simple plate allows for the transition from podium to tower architecture creating a deep eave that is visually demonstrative of an overt subtropical approach to buildings.

&quot;The tower architecture follows a similar approach to simplicity. Profiled slab edges project forward creating shade and protection. The line of enclosure to the tower dwellings is kept back from the edge, undulating and folding to craft views. Recesses in the façade offer the opportunity for residents to tailor small gardens within the building form offering more immediate amenity in the context of the expansive and broad longer aspects to the ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=184796]

These small indents also allow for the control of cross ventilation through openings away from the face of the building enabling better resident control of breezes in windy conditions.

&quot;The overall approach to the design has been one of deliberate and measured analysis. The building is modest in expression favouring performance and liveability over decoration. A relative simplicity enables the aspirations of coastal living to be prioritised; engaging with the environment in a meaningful and deliberate way.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=106646]

In their statement to the Gold Coast City Council, Rothelowman said 100 Musgrave Street offered the opportunity to consolidate a historically rich, vibrant and evolving part of the City

How Rothelowman designed Hirsch & Faigen's Kirra Beach apartment development, Emerson

Hirsch &amp; Faigen&nbsp;has given Hutchinson the construction jobs for both its maiden Gold Coast apartment developments.

Hemingway, just off the sand at Palm Beach&#39;s,&nbsp;was the first local development for H&amp;F, led&nbsp;by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch. The $75 million project sold out all of its 78 apartments within a few months of its launch earlier this year.

That was followed by Emerson, the $85 million luxury boutique block of just 27 apartments in the sought-after Kirra Beach area of Coolangatta. Hirsch &amp; Faigen are soon to launch their third development, Yves at Mermaid Beach.

Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s next project, Yves, will see 146 apartment built across three 25-level towers at 7-9 Mermaid Avenue.

To read more about Yves and enquire, <a href="/news/qld/exclusive-first-look-hirsch-faigen-lodge-plans-for-mermaid-beach-apartment-tower-yves">click here.</a>

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&ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted to have the team at Hutchies on board, given their prestige reputation for delivering the highest-class projects across not only the Gold Coast but all of Australia,&rdquo; Daniel Faigen said.

&ldquo;These projects aren&rsquo;t your standard class apartments, so it was important to us that we found the right builder who would execute Rothelowman&rsquo;s design flawlessly, and we have every confidence that Hutchies are the perfect fit for the job.&rdquo;

Construction of the 14-level Hemingway, named after the famous author and featuring a distinct blush fa&ccedil;ade, is due to commence construction next month, with a completion date of around September 2023.

Hutchies will begin building Emerson, which only has six apartments left to sell as well as the $8 million penthouse, in February 2022. That will rise 13 levels when completed around October 2023.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=184795]

&ldquo;We couldn&rsquo;t have asked for a better reception to the Gold Coast market, it&rsquo;s strengthened our commitment to this piping hot property pocket, and we look forward to seeking out further opportunities on its shores,&rdquo;&nbsp;Faigen added.

&ldquo;With a remarkable sales run behind us, we are looking forward to shifting into construction mode and witnessing the first glimpse of Hirsch &amp;&nbsp;Faigen excellence rise out of the Gold Coast earth.&rdquo;

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“We’re delighted to have the team at Hutchies on board, given their prestige reputation for delivering the highest-class projects across not only the Gold Coast but all of Australia."

Hirsch & Faigen appoint Hutchinsons to build Gold Coast apartments at Kirra's Emerson and Palm Beach's Hemingway

Following the launch of its boutique Kirra Beach apartment development The Emerson, the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen are on to their next project.

They&#39;ve lodged plans for their recently acquired 1,905 sqm Mermaid Beach site, 7-9 Mermaid Avenue&nbsp;at the northern end of Mermaid Beach,&nbsp;which was bought back in June.

H&amp;F, led by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has had&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;design Yves, which will comprise three&nbsp;25-level towers. They will home a total of&nbsp;145 apartments.

Following luxury developments at Palm Beach and Kirra Beach in Coolangatta, Hirsch &amp; Faigen have consciously gone for a more price appropriate product for the location.

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&quot;With Mermaid Avenue we&#39;re getting back to some more affordability,&quot; Faigen told Urban, adding that there&#39;s a need for a more price pointed product.

&quot;We&#39;re not on the beach, nor are we trying to do three of four million dollars per apartment for this one.

&quot;The investor market is super strong on the Gold Coast, and Mermaid already has established amenity with restaurants, cafes of course the beach.&quot;

Faigen said Mermaid is still the&nbsp;best suburb on the Gold Coast, with the millionaire&#39;s row Hedges Avenue fronting&nbsp;the beach. He said the&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;towers of this size fit the location better than the sites of their previous two developments.

<img alt="" height="690" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirsch_faigen_mermaid_beach_3.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Rothelowman aimed for a suburban approach to arrival in the communal lobby, designed as a greenhouse. Image source: Rothelowman

It&#39;s the third time in a row Hirsch &amp; Faigen have had Rothelowman handle the design of the project.

The in demand architecture firm call Mermaid Beach the Gold Coast&#39;s last humble vestige.

&quot;We all know the Gold Coast has changed a lot in the last 60 years, and as more and more people escape the crowded &lsquo;southern cities&rsquo;, we anticipate she will change even more,&quot; Rothelowman advised in their design statement.

&quot;Between the sleepless Broadbeach &amp; gentrified Burleigh, Mermaid Beach captures the diminishing modesty&nbsp;of the Gold Coast. It is a microcosm with cafes, craft and culture. A community of locals and tourists relishing a more humble urban lifestyle than the north &amp; south.

&quot;A deliberate and direct attitude towards enhancing the way in which buildings can add to the narrative of life of the Gold Coast is important in ensuring an &ldquo;Architecture of Place&rdquo; can be developed.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186084]

They said the site presents&nbsp;a unique opportunity to create a transitional tower project at the junction between the intensity of cosmopolitan Broadbeach and the more traditional/ laidback vestiges that is well defined by places such as Mermaid Beach.

&quot;A rich part of the evolution of the Gold Coast is the challenge and opportunity posed by the emergence of high density precincts amongst the well-established lower intensity beachside villages of the City. This is very much a product of the desirability of living in the emerging City and the rapid shift towards a more urbanised environment along the length of the Coast.&quot;

There will be just eight one-bedroom apartments, which start from 60 sqm, across the towers, 101 two-bedroom apartments from 71 sqm and 30 three-bedroom units, which are upwards of 133 sqm in internal living space. The upper levels are reserved for three subpenthouses and three penthouses, the subpenthouse starting from 156 sqm and the penthouses from 287 sqm. The biggest apartment has 341 sqm of internal living area.

<img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirsch_faigen_mermaid_avenue_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Two of the three towers. Image source: Rothelowman.

The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which Rothelowman designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

The design is also a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

&quot;Embedding the coastal traditions of this place within high density apartment precincts is not by any means a straight forward task,&quot; Rothelowman state.

<img alt="" height="1679" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirsch_faigen_mermaid_4.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The lush, landscaped entry lobby. Source: Rothelowman

&quot;Mermaid Avenue seeks to humbly direct this thinking towards an outcome that promotes liveability and simplicity. The unique &ldquo;wedge-shaped&rdquo; site results in a dynamic built form that has been subtly articulated through a series of intersections in form and incisions in the overall mass. A layered approach to fa&ccedil;ade balancing glazing with masonry responds to climatic orientation, desire for views and outlook. A textural approach which balances reflectivity in glass with undulating precast patterned concrete will create a vibrancy through shadow and depth.

&quot;The low set podium is modestly scaled to engage with the neighbouring apartment buildings and continue the language of the street within the undercroft of the tower. Gardens prevail on all frontages ensuring a balanced relationship with the adjacent sites. The narrow streetscape interface is relaxed with generous setbacks allowing for the establishment of a landscape focused forecourt between the lobby and the footpath. Gardens are utilised to create a domestic tone, rich in coastal species, colour and textures.

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Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently entered the Gold Coast market with their luxury Palm Beach development Hemingway, and followed it with their even more upmarket&nbsp;Kirra Beach, Coolangatta development The Emerson.

Also designed by Rothelowman, The Emerson, across 13 levels,&nbsp;has just 27 apartments, priced from $3 million.

The crowning jewel is the four bedroom, 430 sqm penthouse on level 13 with two living areas, a master suite with walk in wardrobe and ensuite with double shower and double vanity.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

H&F, led by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has had Rothelowman design three 25-level towers, which will home a total of 145 apartments.


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