Investors may soon find themselves with fewer reasons to buy established property and more incentives to look towards the new apartment market.

Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions would see new and off-the-plan apartments retain access to the tax benefits, while established properties would miss out, creating a clear advantage for buyers purchasing newly built housing.

The policy direction aligns with what many developers have been saying for several years. Australia needs more housing supply, and governments are increasingly looking for ways to encourage investment into new stock rather than existing homes.

The challenge for investors is that suitable product is becoming harder to find.

For much of the last decade, one-bedroom apartments were the cornerstone of investor demand. They offered a lower entry price, strong rental appeal, and were a common feature across most apartment developments.

Today, the development pipeline looks very different.

Across both New South Wales and South East Queensland, developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers, delivering larger two, three and four-bedroom apartments in response to changing buyer preferences. While one-bedroom apartments still exist, they now form a much smaller portion of many new projects.

That shift has created a shortage of investor-friendly stock, particularly in well-located projects close to transport, employment hubs and lifestyle amenity.

At the same time, rising apartment prices have pushed many new developments beyond the reach of traditional investors. On the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new apartments priced around the $1 million mark, particularly those offering strong rental fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.

We've rounded up four new apartment developments where investors can still secure a foothold in the market for around $1 million or less.

<h2 data-end="1140" data-start="844">Flourish Soleira</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $1.07 million</h2>

Popular Palm Beach developer Sherpa is soon to officially launch its newest local apartment development, Flourish Soleira.

The one-bedroom apartments in the building were only offered to first home buyers rather than investors, and all of those have been snapped up. The two-bedroom apartments will start from $1.07 million, and the three-bedrooms, still a good investment given the popularity of Palm Beach for owner-occupiers, starting at $2,045,000.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

Flourish Soliera will comprise 153 apartments across two buildings, connected by a skybridge, the first ever delivered in the suburb.

True to Sherpa's booming Flourish brand of apartment projects, Flourish Soleira will have extensive rooftop amenity across both buildings including a&nbsp;wellness centre with gym, work from home, yoga, pilates, a&nbsp;heated pool, private dining rooms, pizza oven and barbecues, basketball court, and golf simulator.

<h2>Corallo, Palm Beach</h2>

Priced from: $841,500

Nearby Flourish Soleira is Changfa Group's beachfront-inspired Corallo development. They still have some one-bedroom apartments remaining, priced from $841,500.

The 105-apartment project on Palm Beach Avenue is otherwise dominated by larger two and three-bedroom residences, many of which are aimed at owner-occupiers and downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112194 project_image_fid=808]

For investors, the appeal lies in Palm Beach's continued transformation from a laid-back beachside suburb into one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential markets. Residents at Corallo will be within walking distance of Palm Beach's surf beaches, the recreational amenity of Tallebudgera Creek, and the increasingly popular collection of cafes, restaurants and boutique retailers along the suburb's central dining precinct.

<h2>Corner House, Stones Corner</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $880,000</h2>

One of only two Brisbane apartment developments to make the list with prices under $1 million is DeMartini Fletcher's Corner House development in Stones Corner.

One-bedroom apartments start from $880,000 within the 88-apartment development, providing investors with exposure to one of Brisbane's most established inner-south locations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330594]

Stones Corner has long been supported by strong tenant demand due to its proximity to major employment and education destinations. The suburb sits less than five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD and is within easy reach of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital and several university campuses.

The project's location within a walkable urban village environment, surrounded by retail, dining and public transport infrastructure, continues to attract both professionals and healthcare workers seeking accommodation close to work.

Parkdrive Apartments, Chermside

Priced from: $749,000

The most affordable apartments across Brisbane's new and off the plan market are in Chermside where developer AusDev is selling one-bedroom apartments from $749,000, and two-beds from $929,000, at its recently launched Parkdrive development.

The development is strategically positioned in one of Brisbane's largest employment and retail precincts, placing residents within easy walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and the suburb's major bus interchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Already under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2028, Parkdrive benefits from Chermside's ongoing evolution into Brisbane's northern metropolitan centre. The suburb continues to attract significant public and private investment, supporting population growth and underpinning long-term rental demand.

For investors focused on yield and tenant depth, the combination of healthcare, retail and transport infrastructure within close proximity provides a strong foundation for occupancy and rental performance.

Joel Robinson

Investors to turn to new apartments after Federal Government changes spark hunt for Queensland's best $1 million apartments

A mix of Gold Coast locals, fly-in, fly-out purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane-based families has driven early sales success at Broadbeach's newest apartment tower, Lumara.

The 26-level project, a joint venture between builder-developer 5Point Projects and Bourke Projects, comprises just 37 luxury residences and is attracting a buyer profile that is looking for exclusivity, above the most amenity-rich suburb on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=364156]

Jamie Bourke, Director of Bourke Projects, says every buyer secured so far intends to use Lumara as a lock-up-and-leave residence, combining holiday use with the ability to work remotely when required.

“The size of the apartments, both half- and full-floor options, and the different zones within the floorplans, lends itself perfectly to dedicated home office setups and multi-generational family holidays,” Bourke says.

That flexibility has become a key drawcard for affluent buyers seeking a second residence on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the ability to conduct business away from their primary home base.

The absence of holiday letting within the building has also resonated strongly with purchasers.

“This type of buyer doesn't need to generate holiday rental income,” Bourke says. “They're paying for exclusivity, privacy and certainty around who their neighbours are.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366491]

The strong demand comes amid broader shifts in the high-end apartment market following the Federal Budget announcements in May.

“We were already seeing strong enquiry from high-net-worth buyers, but that has only accelerated since the policy changes,” Bourke says.

“A lot of those buyers are looking to place more capital into premium lifestyle assets rather than investment-grade stock that has been targeted by the Federal Government.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366486]

Designed by Cottee Parker, Lumara adopts a slender, sculpted form with an emphasis on natural materials suited to its beachfront setting. The architectural approach draws on coastal influences, with a palette of stone, timber and concrete selected for durability and the ability to weather over time.

Apartments are limited to three and four-bedroom configurations, with a maximum of two residences per floor through the mid-levels and a selection of full-floor and dual-level homes in the upper levels. All apartments are oriented to the north to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and views across the ocean, city skyline and hinterland.

A two-level amenity offering is positioned high within the building on levels 20 and 21, conceived as a sky wellness retreat. Facilities include a magnesium pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, alongside more social spaces such as a private dining room, resident lounge, workspaces and outdoor barbecue areas integrated with landscaped greenery.

The uppermost levels are reserved for larger-format residences, including several full-floor homes and a dual-level penthouse with its own private wellness features and recreational spaces.

&nbsp;

To give buyers confidence, 5Point and Bourke commenced construction ahead of the apartments launching to the market, a sure-fire way to prove they mean business, and the building will be delivered. They are targeting a 2028 completion date.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150454]

Locals, interstate holiday makers, drive early sales at Lumara, Broadbeach's newest luxury apartment tower

Often when it comes to purchasing property, the biggest barrier to entry is the deposit. Buyers of established homes typically aim for a 20 per cent deposit to avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance, while most property transactions require around a 10 per cent deposit when contracts are exchanged.

The off-the-plan market works differently, with buyers typically paying a deposit during construction and settling the balance upon completion. As completion approaches at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fabbrica-fitzroy-369-gore-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fabbrica Fitzroy</a>, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace</a> is making it easier for buyers to secure a residence through a deposit-matching incentive. Purchasers need only contribute a five per cent deposit*, with Pace matching the remaining five per cent.

The offer comes as Pace unveils a completed display apartment and townhouse, now available for inspection by appointment ahead of the project's Spring completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371009]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/winwood-mckenzie-architecture">Winwood Mckenzie</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, Fabbrica draws on Fitzroy’s industrial and manufacturing history, incorporating references to the former Argyle Shirt Factory and Life Savers Confectionery Company that once occupied the site.

The development comprises 85 residences, spanning low-maintenance apartments through to larger-format townhouses with private street access and double lock-up garages, a relatively uncommon offering in Fitzroy’s higher-density apartment market.

Pace says the project has been designed to appeal to buyers seeking inner-city convenience without sacrificing space, flexibility, or amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371016]

Inside the residences, Winwood Mckenzie has focused on adaptable layouts and integrated detailing, with features including custom joinery, and concealed storage solutions. The material palette leans into warm, tactile finishes intended to complement the building’s industrial architectural language.

Fabbrica’s rooftop amenity is a key part of the project offering. Spanning around 800 sqm, the communal rooftop includes a private dining room, communal kitchen, lounge spaces, work-from-home zones, and outdoor dining areas overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371017]

Landscape architecture studio Acre has introduced a layered rooftop garden designed to soften the urban setting while creating a more communal environment for residents.

The Fitzroy location also positions residents within walking distance of Brunswick Street, Smith Street, parks, cafés, galleries, and public transport, while remaining only minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The project has an enviable Walk Score of 96.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371025]

Pace, which is also delivering the project as builder, has developed more than 100 projects across Melbourne over the past three decades. The vertically integrated approach has become increasingly common among developers seeking greater control over construction delivery amid broader market pressures affecting the apartment sector.

The strikingly contemporary Gore Street development is now around 70 per cent complete, with purchasers expected to move into their new homes in Spring 2026. A limited number of residences remain available under the current deposit match offer.

*Conditions apply in relation to the deposit match offer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139552]

Pace offers five per cent deposit match at Fabbrica Fitzroy ahead of Spring completion

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Why Hyecorp continues to back Sydney's Lower North Shore apartment market

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

SEQ apartment demand outpacing affordable supply as construction timelines stretch: RPM

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=194834]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=194832]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186078]

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;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186076]

&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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186070]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186071]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=184785]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=184795]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=184798]

"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.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=106646]

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.

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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.

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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.

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&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;

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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.

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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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