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

Joel Robinson

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

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Hotspots

<html><body>
Griffith takes the top spot on a list of Canberra's 2016/2017 house hotspots, with an expected increase of 8% over the next 12 months, in a forecast developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
The median price at Griffith is currently $1,300,000, according to APM, and some sales in the region are continuing to push the media price higher.
An example would be a two bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-act-griffith-122914390" target="_blank">18 Bannister Gardens</a> (above) that was recently sold for $1,370,000, which is $70,000 above the median price
The Smart Investor magazine, published by Fairfax Media, ranked Bonner, Harrison and Chifley as equal second best hotspot regions for houses in the ACT.
Suburb        Postcode       Median price      12 month forecast
Griffith        2603             $1,300,000         6%
Bonner        2914             $570,000           5%
Harrison      2914             $655,650           5%
Chifley        2606              $710,000          5%
Wright        2611              $750,000          4%
Crace         2911               $735,000          4%
Ainslie        2602               $895,000          4%
Campbell    2612               $1,079,500       4%
O'Connor    2602                $932,500         4%
Torrens       2607               $734,000         4%
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Griffith tops list of Canberra house hotspots

<html><body>
Greenway takes the equal top spot as Canberra's 2016/2017 hotspot for investing in units in a new list developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
The median price at Greenway is currently at $385,000 with an expected increase of 4% over the next 12 months, according to APM.
A two bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-act-greenway-119652167" target="_blank">17/1 Drew Street </a>(above) recently sold for $410,000 – is $25,000 above the median price – perhaps indicating the suburb is already drawing the attention of investors. 
The Smart Investor magazine, published by Fairfax Media, ranked Page and Macquarie as the joint strongest unit hotspots in Canberra.
Suburb        Postcode      Median price      12 month forecast
Greenway    2900            $385,000            4%
Page           2614            $425,000            4%
Macquarie    2614            $415,000           4%
Forrest         2603            $682,000           3%
Franklin        2913           $350,000            3%
Garran         2605            $565,000           3%
Bruce           2617            $425,000          3%
Casey           2913            $383,950          2%
City              2601            $525,000          2%
Watson         2602            $433,500          2%
 
</body></html>

Greenway tops list of Canberra unit hotspots

<html><body>
Larrakeyah takes the equal top spot on a new list of Darwin's 2016/2017 hotspots for investing in units, developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
The current median price at Larrakeyah is $533,000 with an expected increase of 3% over the next 12 months, according to APM. 
An example of price movements in the area would be a two bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nt-larrakeyah-123493258" target="_blank">1A/2 Mauna Loa Street</a> (above) currently on sale for $575,000, which is $42,000 above the median price. Whether it achieves its asking price remains to be seen. 
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/202B2%20Mauna%20Street.jpg" alt="">
However, a two bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nt-larrakeyah-119815507" target="_blank">202B/2 Mauna Street</a> (above) was recently sold last year for $575,000, $42,000 more than the median price, indicating that prices in the suburb may be on an upward trajectory. 
The list, published by Fairfax Media's The Smart Investor magazine, ranked Nightcliff as its equal best unit hotspot.
Suburb             Postcode     Median price      12 month forecast
Larrakeyah        0820            $533,000                         3%
Nightcliff           0810            $478,100                        3%
Darwin City       0800            $522,000                         2%
Coconut Grove  0810             $446,500                        2%
Lyons               0810             $760,000                        2%
Parap               0820             $545,000                         2%
Winnellie          0820             $325,000                          2%
Berrimah          0828             $550,000                          2%
Muirhead          0810             $345,000                          N/A
</body></html>

Larrakeyah tops list of 2017 Darwin unit hotspots

<html><body>
Paddington takes the top spot on a new list of Brisbane's 2016/2017 hotspot for investing in units, developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
The median unit price at Paddington is $562,500 with an expected increase of 4% over the next 12 months, according to APM's forecast.
An example would be a two bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-qld-paddington-121593326" target="_blank">3/43 Fernberg Road</a> (above) that was sold for $595,000 – $32,500 above the median price.
The Smart Investor magazine, published by Fairfax Media, ranked Lutwyche as one of several suburbs in the second rung of best hotspots.
Suburb               Postcode            Median price         12 month forecast
Paddington         4064                  $562,500                           4%
Lutwyche           4030                  $481,000                           3%
Kedron              4031                   $455,000                          3%
Holland Park      4121                   $486,000                          3%
Windsor            4030                   $470,000                          3%
Sherwood          4075                   $450,000                         3%
Bellara              4507                   $285,000                          2%
Wooloowin        4030                   $470,000                          2%
Hawthorne        4171                   $559,500                          2%
Gaythorne        4051                    $441,500                         2%
</body></html>

Paddington tops list of Brisbane unit hotspots

<html><body>
House prices in Colonel Light Gardens are tipped to increase by 14% in the next 12 months, with the suburb taking equal top spot in Adelaide's 2016/2017 house hotspots forecast developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
The median price at Colonel Light Gardens currently sits at $740,000, according to APM.
Several recent sales point to upward price movements in the suburb. An example would be a four bedroom house currently on sale for $790,000 at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-colonel+light+gardens-123193034" target="_blank">46 Salisbury Crescent</a>, (above) which is $50,000 above the median price.
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/8%20Rozells%20Avenue.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-colonel+light+gardens-122576806" target="_blank">8 Rozells Avenue</a> (above) was sold for $800,000 – $60,000 above the median price.
The Smart Investor magazine, published by Fairfax Media, also consider Henley Beach, Linden Park, Erindale, Hazelwood Park, St Peter and Heatherfield as their strongest hotspots.
Suburb                             Postcode        Median price       12 month forecast
Colonel Light Gardens        5041                $740,000           4%
Henley Beach                    5022               $790,000            4%
Linden Park                      5065               $871,000            4%
Erindale                           5066               $1,076,000         4%
Hazelwood Park                5066                $942,500           4%
St Peters                          5069               $1,252,500         4%
Heatherfield                      5153               $750,000           4%
Firle                                5070               $655,000            3%
Payneham South              5070                $699,000            3%
Kingswood                       5062               $898,000            3%
 
</body></html>

Colonel Light Gardens tops list of 2017 Adelaide house hotspots

<html><body>
Miami takes the equal top spot on a list of Gold Coast's 2016/2017 top hotspots for investing in houses, part of a new forecast developed by APM senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson.
The median price at Miami is currently $620,000 with an expected increase of 6% over the next 12 months, according to APM.
Several recent sales in the area are indicating that prices in the area may be on the move.
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-miami-123313022">48 Lemana Lane</a> (above)recently sold for $675,000, which is $55,000 more than the median house price.
<img src="/images/2016/09/23/39%20Kallay%20Street.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-miami-121933258" target="_blank">39 Kallay Street</a> (above) was recently sold for $648,000 – $28,000 more than the median price.
The forecast, published by Fairfax Media's The Smart Investor magazine, ranked Palm Beach and Mermaid Beach as the equal best investor hotspots.
Suburb              Postcode       Median price         12 month forecast
Miami               4220              $620,000                           6%
Palm Beach       4221              $690,000                           6%
Mermaid Beach  4218              $1,292,500                         6%
Ashmore            4214             $535,000                            5%
Mermaid Waters  4218             $700,000                           5%
Paradise Point     4216             $940,000                            5%
Broadbeach Waters 4218         $991,000                            5%
Tugun                  4224           $553,500                            4%
Bilinga                  4225           $540,000                            4%
Currumbin             4223           $810,000                            4%
</body></html>

Miami tops list of 2017 Gold Coast house hotspots

<html><body>
Australia’s largest body of professional buyer’s agents is warning homebuyers and investors to ‘think local’ when it comes to property predictions for 2016.
It has urged buyers to base their buying decisions on supply and demand rather than potential hotspots.
The Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) president Rich Harvey listed some no go zones in capital cities across Australia.
He noted conflicting property predictions suggesting prices in various locations will rise or fall could confuse buyers into making the wrong investment decisions.
“The problem with any forecast is trying to sum up the direction of a diverse range of property markets into a single figure or hotpot,” said Harvey.
“Australia has over 15,000 suburbs and there are more than 700 suburbs in Sydney, more than 540 in Melbourne and around 450 in Brisbane.
“So to say that Sydney will rise by four per cent can give a misleading perception to a novice investor thinking that buying an over-priced off-the-plan apartment in Zetland will actually see price growth in their property.
“That poor investor may well see a five per cent decline in the value of their property due to the rapid increase in supply in that local market.”
Harvey recommends buyers and investors need to look at the individual drivers of supply and demand within a smaller zone and at a suburb level.
“While the overall predictions give you some comfort that property is a good asset class, it is far better to think long-term and become an expert in the local housing market and make informed decisions accordingly,” he said.
“In markets where values are escalating quickly, it’s a potential minefield for buyers who feel under pressure to buy.
“Buyers need to ensure they understand the local growth drivers of supply and demand and that they are in the right price pocket for that particular location. “A buyer’s agent can help analyse the data quickly using the best valuation tools available and guide buyers through the property maze with minimum stress.”
The REBAA recommends the following property investments to avoid in 2016:
Brisbane Brisbane Avoid: High density apartments in the CBD, West End and Fortitude Valley. Recommend: Character houses in low density, established areas with good schools, transport and lots of renovation activity.
Sydney
 Avoid: High density off-plan apartments in Mascot, Zetland, and some pockets around Parramatta and Rhodes with potential for oversupply as record building approvals take shape. Sydney still fundamentally under-supplied, but a short-term spike in units coming to market will depress rents. 
Recommend: Blue chips suburbs with strong growth potential: Eastern suburbs North Shore, inner west. Suburbs with lifestyle appeal, new transport infrastructure, growing population and continuing gentrification.
ACT 
Avoid: High density apartments either existing or off the plan in most areas. 
Recommend: Small boutique existing townhouse developments. Homes in established areas with access to good schools - inner north, inner south, Belconnen and Woden areas.
Melbourne 
Avoid: High density apartment blocks. Much like the Sydney market, avoid areas like Docklands and possibly Fisherman’s Bend and other areas that are being oversupplied with new, high-rise apartment blocks. 
Recommend: Low density developments that are well built with manageable ongoing running costs. Land is in short supply, so if you can afford to buy property in a good, well-serviced location with some land, then do that.
South Australia 
Avoid: Off-the-plan apartments in the Adelaide CBD. 
Recommend: Properties with development potential in middle-ring suburbs continue to increase in popularity. Also character properties with renovation potential in good suburbs on the “fringe” of upmarket established locations.
Tasmania 
Avoid: Lifestyle properties away from major population centres for income investment. Great if you plan to live there but not the best choice for a good performing long-term investment.
Recommend: Character properties in the inner city Hobart suburbs such as North Hobart, New Town and West Hobart are in very high demand with buyers out stripping supply. This shortage of supply is impacting on higher prices. A wellpriced renovator in these areas could be extremely beneficial. Also buying on the fringes of these suburbs is worth considering.
Western Australia 
Avoid: Developing suburbs on the outer northern and southern metropolitan fringes of Perth where there is currently an oversupply which is expected to continue for the next 12 to 18 months. Likewise the Perth unit market is looming for an oversupply for the next 12 months to two years. 
Recommend: Houses in a 10-20km radius of Perth with reasonable land holdings and rentable older houses. Likewise suburbs where there have been zoning changes and infrastructure spending can still provide opportunities for good buying. 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Property investor no-go warning: Avoid Brisbane CBD, the Valley, Docklands and Zetland: Rich Harvey

<html><body>
The latest planning application for Glen Iris is adding weight to the suburb's credentials as it emerges as an apartment hotspot. Situated 10 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, the suburb has seen an elevated amount of apartment-based activity of late, with developers keen to secure a foothold within the locale which is split between City of Stonnington and City of Boroondara.

Apartments.com.au is tracking 638 new apartments within Glen Iris spread over 13 separate developments. Small-scale numbers relative to inner city development, yet impressive when considering the suburb is both a youngish apartment market and heavily favoured by owner-occupiers.

City of Stonnington are currently advertising the suburb's largest intended development to date, located at <a href="/buildings/highpark-1559-1567-high-street-glen-iris">1559-1567 High Street</a>. The proposal which rises progressively to eight levels would hold 148 dwellings if approved. Southbank-based Gardenier Pty Ltd is the proponent with ROTHELOWMAN responsible for the design.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image10_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Indicative view from High Street and Brixton Rise. Image courtesy ROTHELOWMAN"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="312" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image10_2.jpg?itok=09lRXRb0" title="Indicative view from High Street and Brixton Rise. Image courtesy ROTHELOWMAN" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Indicative view from High Street and Brixton Rise. Image courtesy ROTHELOWMAN</figcaption></figure>Clad predominantly in varying tones of glass, 1559-1567 High Street holds a mixture of one, two, two plus and three bedroom apartments. The development carries a nominal value of $36 million and would see 15 three bedroom dwellings included in addition to 6 two bedroom plus options, both of which point toward the development team's recognition of Glen Iris as a suburb capable of holding a greater number of higher-end dwellings.

Elsewhere and Glen Iris currently sees three apartment projects at construction. Gardiner Rise, <a href="/buildings/grace-1555-malvern-road-glen-iris">Grace</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Vivid on Malvern</a> are all at basement stage with the latter the latest project for St Kilda Road-based AG Constructions; yet another of a new brigade of builders devoted solely to the delivery of apartment projects.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image11_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Gardiner Rise and Vivid on Malvern in progress"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="259" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image11_3.jpg?itok=Nr7fCmRS" title="Gardiner Rise and Vivid on Malvern in progress" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Gardiner Rise and Vivid on Malvern in progress</figcaption></figure>Soon to join those at construction are Lennox Glen Iris, which was <a href="/news/samuel-property-and-the-new-residential-zones">featured recently</a>, and <a href="/buildings/trentwood-25-trent-street-glen-iris">Trentwood</a>, Kokoda Property Group's latest residential project. Featuring 92 apartments within a Hayball-designed building, Trentwood will feature Carr Design interiors within the development dominated by two and three bedroom dwellings which hold internal spaces of up to 123sqm.

Also at Registrations and Sales is <a href="/buildings/leopold-stonnington-18-leopold-street-glen-iris">Leopold</a> which presents as more typical Glen Iris apartment developments in that it is low-rise in nature and within a close distance to either of the suburbs two train stations: Gardiner or Glen Iris.

The balance of project within postcode 3146 are at planning, with three notable developments in waiting. Calabro Capital's <a href="/new-apartments/iris-residences-1581-malvern-road-glen-iris">1579-1581 Malvern Road</a> is a recent entrant into the Apartments.com.au project database as are <a href="/new-apartments/1729-1735-malvern-road-glen-iris">1729-1735 Malvern Road</a> and the Peddle Thorp-designed <a href="/new-apartments/1655-1659-malvern-road-glen-iris">1655-1659 Malvern Road</a>.

Sizeable apartment developments applications are also in progress for the following Glen Iris addresses (some of which have yet to enter the Apartments.com.au project database) include:

<ul>
<li>1687 Malvern Road</li>
	<li>7-11 Elm Road Glen Iris (developed by modular builder Modscape)</li>
	<li><a href="/new-apartments/1639-1645-malvern-road-glen-iris">1639-1645 Malvern Road</a></li>
	<li>1795 Malvern Road</li>
	<li>1693-1699 Malvern Road</li>
	<li>1542 High Street</li>
	<li>
<a href="/new-apartments/1655-1659-malvern-road-glen-iris">1655-1659 Malvern Road</a> (Notice of Decision stage)</li>
	<li>1789 and 1791-1793 Malvern Road</li>
</ul>
With Malvern Road and High Street a focal point of apartment development within the area, Glen Iris's forward apartment development pipeline is looking particularly strong. This coupled with the desirability of the suburb leads Apartments.com.au to ear tag Glen Iris as an apartment hotspot both now and into the medium term.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image13_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A selection of active Glen Iris apartment projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="336" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image13_4.jpg?itok=t89d-iOm" title="A selection of active Glen Iris apartment projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A selection of active Glen Iris apartment projects</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

silvermb

Identifying the next apartment hotspot: Glen Iris

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Psst... Got a second? I’d like to let you know of an exciting property market location which is the second biggest regional city in its state, is the principle service centre for a region which is in close proximity to large and very valuable reserves of natural resources, it has critical deep sea port infrastructure in place, one of the highest rental yields in the country, its historical return on investment is close to double that of the capital city average, and a property entry price of $300,000. 
Every single word in the above opening paragraph is true, although – intentionally – the name of the location isn’t mentioned. If I said it was a bayside suburb in a capital city the odds are that this would instantly become Australia’s biggest hotspot. Now that I reveal that it is the South Australian regional city of Whyalla many people reading this will suddenly become uncomfortable.
I can think of no better example to illustrate how emotionally-based perceptions, as opposed to solid research and logic, get in the way of property investors standing to make the most of their hard-earned money.
From my desktop, I can hear people shouting: “But Simon, Whyalla is a mining town! Regional locations are high risk compared to capital cities.”
Whyalla is actually a steel manufacturing town (18% of jobs are in metal manufacturing). It services inland mines (lots of them). Whyalla is a seaport located on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Tourism is a small secondary industry.
<img src="/images/2015/03/26/MedianValues_Capitals_5yrs-15yrs.jpg" alt="">
Mining giant, BHP established Whyalla in 1901 to facilitate the transport of iron ore from mines in the state’s north, via sea, to processing plants. A blast furnace was constructed in the 1940's and Whyalla's reputation as the 'steel city' grew.
Through the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Whyalla's population expanded rapidly and governments began planning for a 100,000 population. Shipbuilding had become the main industry until international competition forced its closure in 1978. The steel plant has evolved through peaks and troughs under BHP, then One Steel, and now Arrium. The one constant has been its status the biggest employer.
A mineral exploration boom unfolded throughout the last decade resulting in increased population. In 2000, an educated property investor would have paid a mere $80,500 for a house in Whyalla. An outer-suburbs capital city house back then would have cost $100,000 more than that. Over the next fifteen years Whyalla produced solid growth (an average of 9.5% per annum). The capital city average over the same fifteen year period was considerably less (7.3% per annum) and included three to four years of negative growth.
Do you want to re-evaluate that earlier comment about “risk”? Perhaps, you might be starting to see my point about “perception” and lost opportunity.
<img src="/images/2015/03/26/Whyalla_PropertyMarket.jpg" alt="">
The infrastructure in Whyalla is well established; as one should expect of a century old city with 22,000 people. University of SA has a campus in Whyalla, offering programs such as business, health, and community services. Daily flights to Adelaide are available with Regional Express; Qantaslink is also looking to service the region from 2015.
Three hours north of Whyalla is Olympic Dam. Opened in 1988, Olympic Dam holds some of the biggest reserves of copper, gold, uranium, and silver in the world. State and federal government approvals were granted to BHP for a $30 billion expansion in October 2011. In September 2012, BHP suspended the project, although it is widely expected that a scaled-down expansion will proceed at some point.
<img src="/images/2015/03/26/Whyalla.jpg" alt="">
Whyalla already has deep sea port infrastructure at Port Bonython which is very likely to come in to play when BHP eventually find the most viable development model. When it does, Whyalla’s property market will, yet again, perform much stronger than capital cities.
Whyalla’s property market is currently flat. Then again, so are most markets across Australia. An investor could buy a solid three-bedroom house in Whyalla today and get change from $300,000; rental yields are over 6%. Risk? I’d suggest there is considerably more risk investing in an inner-city apartment in <a href="https://www.propertyology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2015-02_Propertyology_SydneyOutlook.pdf">Sydney</a> or <a href="https://www.propertyology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2015_01_Propertyology_MelbourneOutlook.pdf">Melbourne</a>.
But, then again, I guess that depends on whether one bases things on perception or solid research and logic!
Simon Pressley is managing director of Propertyology, a REIA Hall Of fame Inductee, property market analyst, accredited property investment adviser, and buyer’s agent. 
<a href="https://www.propertyology.com.au/more-than-a-buyers-agent/" target="_blank">Propertyology</a> works exclusively with property investors to purchase properties in strategically chosen locations all over Australia.
Photo of Whyalla courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
</body></html>

spressley-sBoeMhannA

The regional city that has outperformed all capital cities for 15 years: Simon Pressley

<html><body>
New research from Onthehouse.com.au has forecast their selection of the top 10 investor suburbs set to deliver during 2015.
There are some surprises with coastal ugly ducklings. Nine were for houses, with Byron Bay the only one selected for possible strong growth in units.
Tweed Heads South was top of the list for houses., while Byron Bay units were expected to deliver a total return of 13% this year.
Nine out of the 10 top investment areas, concluded when considering both projected growth and rental yield, are located along the regional coast of New South Wales and Queensland, while the remaining suburb is located in Western Australia.
The below table lists the top 10 suburbs, in order. 
Click to open in new window:
<a href="/images/2015/03/25/Top_10_Investments_2015_Table1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/03/25/Top_10_Investments_2015_Table1.jpg" alt=""></a>
Source:<a href="https://www.onthehouse.com.au/" target="_blank"> Onthehouse</a>
The median value in Stratton is more than $160,000 cheaper than the city area of Perth.
Queensland’s Allenstown was the most affordable on the list with a median home value of $267,500.
Surprise NSW South Coast entrants included Sussex Inlet and Mollymook Beach.
The relative affordability of quiet coastal suburbs makes them ideal locations for retirees or young families, Onthehouse.com.au analyst Eliza Owen suggested.
"A perfect example of this is Morisset, which is ideally located on the shore of Lake Macquarie as well as being a short drive from the beach - and during the last Census it was found that 39% of the suburb's population was aged 65 years or over," said Owen.
"Many young health professionals have also found the area to be extremely affordable and a good place to rent and save while they attain work experience in the health sector.
"Due to continued rising levels of unaffordability in major cities, regional areas have become more enticing for businesses, as well as home owners.
"Businesses have found it cheaper to relocate their manufacturing and processing outside of metro city areas, creating jobs in regional areas.
"This is again evidenced around Morisset, but is also a case for the outer Perth suburb of Stratton, which is located just 20 kilometres from the Perth CBD."
{mijopolls 102}
</body></html>

Hotspots

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Hotspots

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News