A prominent eastern gateway site to Bondi Junction could soon host a new eight-storey apartment project combining market and affordable housing, under new plans lodged with Waverley Council.

The proposal covers a 1,631 sqm amalgamated site across five properties at 2–6 Bondi Road and 75–77 Old South Head Road, including the corner of Ben Eden Street.&nbsp;

According to the Design Verification Statement by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/tony-owen-partners">Tony Owen Partners</a>, the development will deliver a total of 56 apartments, incorporating 10 affordable dwellings. The project takes advantage of the NSW Government’s Housing SEPP, which provides a 30 per cent uplift in height and floor space ratio in exchange for the inclusion of affordable housing.

<img alt="Bondi Road, Bondi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64226782-681d-430f-a08b-31d007ba40e0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bondi%20Road%20Bondi%20site.png?VersionId=gCt8XpeE4jXEoao0FnG.Ij9mUr73CB68" />

The mix of apartments spans one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations, with a layout designed to optimise amenity and environmental performance.&nbsp;88.5 per cent of units achieve natural cross ventilation, Tony Owen Partners notes in the statement, attributing the result to the site’s configuration and a high proportion of corner apartments.

The design also responds to the site’s transitional context, on the periphery of the high-rise Bondi Junction commercial core and adjoining the lower-scale Bellevue Hill precinct.&nbsp;

“The siting, scale, bulk, and massing of the proposed development is consistent with that anticipated for the area,” the statement reads, with the building’s height capped at 28.6 metres in line with the LEP controls including bonuses.

<img alt="Bondi Road building" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="083fb63f-8a64-4c21-9c09-83e379f1cedd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bondi%20bldg.png?VersionId=aQMby6eh5kCepC_rlXkobUpV0M6IsYns" />

Located near the intersection of Bondi Road, Oxford Street, and Old South Head Road, the site occupies a pivotal position at the entry to Bondi Junction from the east. The site is currently occupied by four detached two-storey dwellings.

Bondi Junction seldom sees new apartment development. Stargate is currently developing <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-centennial-collection-east-sydney-2-nelson-street-bondi-junction-nsw-2022">The Centennial Collection</a>, on the edge of Woollahra and Centennial Park, and are soon to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/signature-by-stargate-362-384-oxford-street-bondi-junction-nsw-2022">Signature by Stargate</a>, just down Oxford Street.

Urban Editorial

First look: Eight-storey apartment block pitched for key Bondi Junction gateway site

Boutique developer SIERA has recently completed PIPIS, a rare, absolute beachfront address that embodies the best of the southern Gold Coast.

PIPIS was delivered in under three years, an achievement that reflects SIERA’s considered yet efficient approach. After securing the prime Golden Four Drive site in late 2022, the team refined the approved design and delivered a boutique collection of 19 residences, including two double-storey penthouses, homes that demonstrate how precision, craftsmanship and a disciplined approach to design can make the most of a rare beachfront location.

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With construction now complete and residents settled in, the final sub-penthouse offers a rare opportunity to join an address that captures the calm and quality of true beachfront living on the southern Gold Coast.

Beyond its location, PIPIS distinguishes itself through the depth of its amenity and the way those spaces are considered. Every element, from the magnesium lap pool and tropical landscaping to the dedicated dog wash and reformer Pilates equipment, has been planned with the residents’ day-to-day lives in mind. It’s not just what’s included, but how thoughtfully it’s executed.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=353605]

What truly sets PIPIS apart is the construction quality and craftsmanship, a hallmark of SIERA projects since its inception in 2014.

“Design and construction quality is the absolute first priority at SIERA,” says Managing Director Brent Thompson. “It’s the most important aspect of any project we do, before speed of delivery, before sales. If you can guarantee build quality, then the rest will fall into place.”

Thompson says the company’s reputation has been built on trust and lived experience rather than marketing promises. “What we want at SIERA is for future purchasers to speak to our past purchasers and ask them what it’s like living in a SIERA building. If we haven’t delivered on what we’ve promised previously, we won’t be successful in the future.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=6572]

With a background in construction, Thompson’s hands-on approach is a key part of SIERA’s success. “If buyers are putting faith in the SIERA brand, it’s my responsibility that we deliver absolute quality and the highest level of service.”&nbsp;

But for Thompson and SIERA, liveability goes far beyond build quality. Every project begins with a clear understanding of who it’s being designed for. “Before we commit to buying a piece of land to develop, we consider who will reside there and what will matter to them,” Thompson says.

Every residence at PIPIS has been designed to open to the breeze, the natural light, and the sound of the ocean. Broad balconies extend living spaces outward, while the use of robust, tactile materials ensures each home feels grounded and easy to live in. It’s a design shaped by Queensland’s climate and a genuine understanding of how people want to live by the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=353606]

Location was central to the vision for PIPIS. It was designed for people who know what makes the southern Gold Coast special, those who live here year-round and those who return whenever they can. “Our buyers all share the same mindset,” says Thompson. “They want to be close to Kirra, Palm Beach and Coolangatta, yet still have privacy and calm. They prefer smaller, well-crafted buildings to big towers, and they want to walk straight onto the beach. PIPIS was built around that sense of ease and familiarity.”’

With construction complete and residents now settled in, the final sub-penthouse offers a rare chance to join an address that defines absolute beachfront living on the southern Gold Coast, a building conceived with care, built with precision, and unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138311]

Joel Robinson

Quality assured: The sole focus driving SIERA’s Gold Coast apartment pipeline as PIPIS in Bilinga completes

When apartments are the minority in a suburb, their success often hinges on what’s available without needing a car.&nbsp;

Raya by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/core-developments">Core Developments</a> arrives at a time when apartment options in Gungahlin remain limited, and demand for well-located, walkable housing continues to grow.

Located on Ernest Cavanagh Street, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/raya-gungahlin-ernest-cavanagh-street-gungahlin-act-2912">Raya</a> places residents within the most active part of Gungahlin.&nbsp;

Retail, dining, education and transport are all within close walking distance, with many of the suburb’s primary amenities located within a 150 to 300 metre radius.

“Raya has got the best to both worlds. A great looking building, that will be built impeccably. It will stand the test of time, and add enduring value for any buyer. And, this is quite simply the best residential location in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/gungahlin-act-2912">Gungahlin</a> with immediate access to every amenity Gungahlin has on offer. You could quite easily sell your car if you move here,” James Herbert of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/project-marketer/lj-hooker-project-marketing-act-0">LJ Hooker projects</a> said.

<img alt="Raya, Gungahlin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="266b0b21-f56b-4d93-9039-e9e17a2c4b71" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/e450173a099aaad8055757c92e45efb1-1600x0-c-default.png?VersionId=4X06Ja6e9pQTjOo4QKBEfKiRP1T7hR68" />

Marketplace Gungahlin - the suburb’s main shopping precinct - is less than a two-minute walk from the site. It offers access to major retailers including Woolworths, Aldi, BIG W and Kmart, along with a variety of services, medical centres, and fitness providers.

Dining options in the surrounding blocks are diverse and expanding. Longstanding local favourites like Le Bon Mélange and EQ Café are now joined by new arrivals such as Ikigai Ramen, The Usual and Sunday Canberra, reflecting Gungahlin’s emerging reputation as one of Canberra’s up-and-coming café and dining destinations.

While apartment living often calls for easy access to open space, Raya benefits from its proximity to several parks and recreational facilities. Yerrabi Pond District Park is just minutes away and offers walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic spots, as well as outdoor fitness equipment and a skate park.&nbsp;

Gungahlin Enclosed Oval and the Gungahlin Leisure Centre are also nearby, supporting a range of community and sports activities.

<img alt="Raya, Gungahlin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6b2ebc21-8257-4144-ad11-3970a73d5125" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/RAYA_2Bed-Living_nochair_3000-2000x0-c-default_0.png?VersionId=BJUJN_k6tZL9p9Lzq13m9OzyyKPstKQY" />

Public transport is a core strength of the location. The Gungahlin Place Light Rail stop, one of the network’s terminal stations, is located less than 100 metres from the development, providing direct access to Canberra’s inner north and CBD. Several local bus routes also operate from the same area, making car-free commuting a realistic option.

The immediate area also includes a number of schools catering to all levels, from early years through to college. Franklin School is within walking distance, while Gungahlin College and Burgmann Anglican School are both around two kilometres away. Childcare centres, health services and veterinary clinics are all established in the precinct.

Medical clinics, pharmacies, allied health services and a public walk-in centre are all available within the town centre footprint.

<img alt="Raya, Gungahlin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b35a7c5-dbee-491a-8ec4-ee41c06505b5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Raya_INT03_Rooftop_FP_3000-1600x0-c-default_0.png?VersionId=mTcDlZi3gAUq_spekHAWlWd5kvCbTiH3" />

Raya comprises 166 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each with a private outdoor area. Balconies start at eight sqm, with some larger configurations offering upwards of 50 sqm of external space - a feature that aligns with the nearby parklands and active public spaces.

Buyers can secure an apartment now with a five per cent deposit, ahead of the project’s 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149952]

Raya: Rare apartment living in Gungahlin’s town centre

Leeka Group has gone down the path of bringing a heightened level of wellness to its recently unveiled Melbourne apartment development, Comme Prahran.

It isn't in the form of a suite of amenities, given the building is more boutique in nature with just 32 apartments, but with clever inclusions designed to uplift their residents lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/comme-prahran-182-194-commercial-road-prahran-vic-3181">Comme</a>, directly opposition the iconic Prahran Market on Commercial Road, has been designed by renowned architecture studio <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> and&nbsp;will introduce the first-of-its-kind multi-dimensional wellness offering, where physical, mental, social, environmental, and cultural well-being are embedded throughout.

“Prahran has long been a destination for culture, community and quality of life, and Comme builds on that in a deeply intentional way,” says Leeka Director, Chek Ming Cheng.&nbsp;

“This project introduces a new kind of urban sanctuary, one that adapts to individual definitions of wellness, whether that’s through nutrition, rest, movement, design or connection. Every space has been thoughtfully shaped to support the diverse rhythms of modern life."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108413 project_image_fid=353544]

There will be a rooftop with a&nbsp;Zen garden designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/plume-studio">Plume Landscape Architects</a>, offering&nbsp;a sensory experience that activates all five senses, an edible herb wall to taste, calming botanicals to smell, reflexology paths to feel, lush plantings to see and the gentle sounds of water and birdsong to hear.

Inside each residence, wellness is deeply personal, and Comme embraces this individuality with a suite of customisation options designed to enhance both health and lifestyle. Residents can tailor their homes with circadian lighting automation, supported by research linking it to improved well-being, better rest, and even longevity.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108413 project_image_fid=353546]

Other add-ons residents can opt for include real-time air monitoring and purification systems, ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment, while blackout blinds help optimise sleep quality. Additionally, the option to include integrated smart home technologies and security measures with multiple controlled access points offers ease, convenience, and peace of mind, supporting day-to-day living and contributing to overall mental well-being.

Kitchens can be fitted with healthy cooking appliances such as steam ovens and taps for instant filtered, sparkling or hot water, while ensuites can be transformed into spa-style sanctuaries complete with steam showers, heated floors, rain heads, smart toilets, and sensor night lights to support restful sleep cycles. In the penthouse residence, further options include an outdoor spa for enhanced recovery and indulgence.

“Comme isn’t just about design, it’s about how space can support your day-to-day life," Chek added.

"Whether you like a steam shower, checking your indoor air quality, simply enjoying a quiet moment in the rooftop garden, or reflecting on the artworks in the building, wellness is part of your everyday routine, not an afterthought."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108413 project_image_fid=353543]

The residences will feature open-plan layouts compliant with Better Apartment Design Standards (BADS), with floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise ventilation, natural light and thermal comfort. Finishes such as natural stones, timber flooring and low-VOC paints are complemented by facade design that filters dappled light and aids in thermal comfort.

Cera Stribley, Co-Founder, Domenic Cerantonio, said the first thing you notice is the light.

"Natural light floods the living spaces, casting a soft glow that instantly lifts your spirits. It's as if the outside world melts away, and you're cocooned in a peaceful oasis."

The gallery-style residential lobby will feature circadian-inspired lighting and artwork, while the ground-floor will offer retail and hospitality spaces.

The building’s mixed-use design fosters connection, with ground-floor retail and hospitality creating a vibrant, welcoming destination. These spaces are thoughtfully designed to enhance the precinct and bring it to life.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108413 project_image_fid=353545]

Sustainability and environmental responsibility are integral to Comme Prahran’s DNA. All homes are gas-free and designed to a 7-star energy average, with double glazing, WELS-rated plumbing, and EV charging capabilities available. A light-coloured exterior has been chosen to minimise heat absorption, supporting thermal efficiency and reducing reliance on artificial cooling.

Honouring the cultural richness of Prahran, the project reimagines an Edwardian-era landmark, integrating its historic character into a contemporary architectural form. Art experiences will activate the residential and retail lobbies, and a dedicated artwork on the external eastern facade will enrich the building’s street presence, embedding it into the creative fabric of the neighbourhood.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108413]

Comme Prahran launches opposite Prahran Market

Apartment developer Third.i has seen "overwhelming interest" in its recently unveiled new harbourside apartment project, The Rushcutters.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-rushcutters-51-57-bayswater-road-rushcutters-bay-nsw-2011">The Rushcutters</a>, which is being delivered in partnership with James Packer's NPACT, will comprise just 13 luxury two- and three-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;

Demand is predominantly coming from local downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144646 project_image_fid=351903]

“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the level of interest in The Rushcutters,” said Luke Berry, Director and Co-founder Third.i Group.

“It’s clear that buyers are seeking more than just a place to live, they’re looking for a lifestyle upgrade. The ability to amalgamate apartments into expansive, whole-floor homes is a game-changer for downsizers who want space without the maintenance of a traditional house.”

The Rubinstein Group is marketing the project alongside Hume Residential and JLL.

“It’s no surprise that if you’re downsizing from a five-bedroom house in Bellevue Hill, for example, you want to maintain that sense of space and luxury when looking for your next home, "&nbsp;Gavin Rubinstein, Founder of The Rubinstein Group, said.

“The Rushcutters is a great fit. Amalgamating apartments to create a bespoke, whole-floor home is a natural progression for buyers who aren’t willing to compromise on size and/or quality.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144646 project_image_fid=351901]

Amalgamating apartments has become a common theme among high-end buyers across Third.i's portfolio including Muse in Potts Point, and Elevate Hume Place in Crows Nest, which set a Lower North Shore apartment record with the $15.1 million sale of an amalgamation of a penthouse and sub-penthouse.

“We’re witnessing a clear shift towards more amalgamations in a number of our projects across Sydney,” said Jason Fraser, Principal at Woods Bagot.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144646 project_image_fid=351899]

“The ability to combine apartments is enabling buyers to create truly unique, house-sized residences with high-end finishes, and proximity to vibrant urban precincts. The desire to amalgamate apartments to bespoke, house-sized residences is becoming a defining feature of Sydney’s evolving luxury apartment market."

Due to the City of Sydney’s no net dwelling loss policy, Thirdi is only able to offer one level for amalgamation at The Rushcutters, combining two apartments into a single, expansive residence.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144646]

The Rushcutters a "great fit" for downsizers

Investor Insight

The ASX-listed ASF Group have released the final opportunity to buy in their unrepeatable gated Hope Island community, The Peninsula.

Peninsula Collection&nbsp;is the final instalment of apartments in the master-planned development on Harbourview Drive, which is located in the highly sought-after Hope Island Resort.

ASF has already sold out Peninsula Homes, a collection of 17 townhouses, Peninsula Residences, comprising&nbsp;40&nbsp;apartments, and Peninsula Terraces, just 22 terraces, which sit along side the Peninsula Collection.

The Peninsula Collection has 63 apartments, starting from a low $565,000 for the three-bedroom apartments. Since the official launch of Peninsula Collection last month, more than 10 apartments have already been snapped up

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22034 project_image_fid=170599]

They&#39;re likely to be popular with investors, particularly&nbsp;internationally, with Hope Island Resort featuring Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) exemption. This gives investors a global re-sale market for future capital returns seldom found in other developments in Australia.

The project is also&nbsp;offering a three-year rental guarantee of five per cent&nbsp;per annum, along with the option for&nbsp;property management services.

Hope Island apartments&nbsp;have seen 3.8&nbsp;per cent price growth per annum over the past 10 years, according to SQM Research. In the last 12 months, apartments have seen&nbsp;16.5 per cent growth.

This can be attributed to a number of factors, not least of which is shortage of supply.&nbsp;According to property consultants Urbis in 2019, The North Shore precinct, which includes Hope Island, was the most undersupplied market on the Gold Coast for apartment buyers. A situation which hasn&#39;t see much improvement until recently with five&nbsp;new apartment developments set for Hope Island.

Rental stock has also remained extremely tight on Hope Island.

The&nbsp;2032 Brisbane Olympics announcement is also backing up this data, ensuring&nbsp;investment from both private and public sectors&nbsp;upwards of hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure and more&nbsp;in the near and long term.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22034 project_image_fid=172301]

Three-bedroom apartments in Peninsula start&nbsp;from $565,000,&nbsp;below the&nbsp;suburb median of $579,000, according to SQM.

Rents have also been on the rise with rental asking prices up 24.8 per cent&nbsp;in the past year and 4.4 per cent per annum for the past 10 years.

&#39;The Peninsula, as an exclusive gated community development on Hope Island Resort&#39;s unique river canal, is located within&nbsp;one kilometre of three golf courses, across the road from the Azzura Greens Resort and&nbsp;Links Hope Island Golf Club.

It&#39;s one of the closest new developments near the Hope Island Shopping Centre, reachable on buggy or foot.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=22034]

The Peninsula Collection has 63 apartments, starting from a low $565,000 for the three-bedroom apartments

jordan_55689

Hope Island's Peninsula Collection apartments show great appeal to interstate and international investors

Investors have been attracted&nbsp;Dahua Group&#39;s recently completed their $300 million&nbsp;apartment development Hawthorn Park, their biggest apartment development in Melbourne.

They&#39;ve been alerted to the area due to its&nbsp;recent median price growth of 10 per cent,&nbsp;as well as Hawthorn East&#39;s&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;median rental growth.

Over the ten-year period to March 2021,&nbsp;Hawthorn East apartments have seen six&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;median rental growth per annum, according to the Department of&nbsp;Human Services and Urbis.

The suburb is comprised of 40 per cent renters, DHS found, with SQM Research calculating&nbsp;a current rental yield of 3.5 per cent in Hawthorn East being inline with Melbourne&#39;s overall yield.

Dahua said looking forward, high demand driven by the catchment&rsquo;s proximity to education, transport and amenity, coupled with the ongoing growth of the renal market, is likely to attract market interest from interstate and overseas investors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=171608]

The suburb is renter friendly&nbsp;due to that connectivity to the&nbsp;city. Three train lines run near the&nbsp;33 Camberwell Road development, which has a very high walk score of 90 and has been labelled a walker&rsquo;s paradise.

The city is within cycle distance for residence, given the 7.6 kilometre commute to the CBD on Melbourne&#39;s many bicycle lanes.&nbsp;The nearby Gardiner&rsquo;s Creek Trail links with the Capital City Trail and Main Yarra Trail.

Infrastructure around Hawthorn Park is already in place, with four major shopping areas&nbsp;including Camberwell Junction,&nbsp;Glenferrie Road,&nbsp;Camberwell Road and&nbsp;Burwood Road close by.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=171605]

Designed by Rothelowman, Hawthorn features a number of exclusive amenities including Melbourne&rsquo;s first suspended sky pool, theatre rooms and sky lounge. They have delivered a mix of 330&nbsp;one, two, three and four-bedroom townhome and apartment residences.

Hawthorn Park is a residential mid-rise that is strategically located amongst Hawthorn East&rsquo;s key transport, education, lifestyle and amenity offerings. It is also attractive for families, due to the nearby educational facilities that include;

<ul>
	<li>Auburn Primary School</li>
	<li>Camberwell Primary School</li>
	<li>SEDA College (Victoria)</li>
	<li>Swinburne Senior Secondary College</li>
	<li>Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School</li>
	<li>Swinburne University of Technology</li>
	<li>University of Divinity</li>
	<li>University of Melbourne</li>
</ul>

The project also features over 2000 sqm of parkland curated by acclaimed landscape architect Jack Merlo.

As well as the pool, Hawthorn Park features a fully-equipped gym with a yoga and meditation studio and massage suites, hammock lounge, an indoor residents lounge and a garden pavilion.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3730]

Hawthorn Park is a residential mid-rise that is strategically located amongst Hawthorn East’s key transport, education, lifestyle and amenity offerings

Investor Insight

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