Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

Melbourne apartments

The recently completed One Coburg Quarter is one of the most striking residential components&nbsp;within the&nbsp;landmark $1 billion masterplan by Rothelowman.

Developed by Future Estate, the building connects Melbourne&rsquo;s northern hub to the future.

Its location at 11 Urquhart Street&nbsp;puts it within eight kilometres of the Melbourne CBD, and within walking distance of Brunswick.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783 project_image_fid=188151]

The thriving cosmopolitan part of inner Melbourne already boasts a number of eateries, parks and entertainment hubs, cementing itself as a place not only rich with history but also with the potential for great expansion.

Ideally located between bustling Sydney Road and the expanses of Coburg Lake, and incorporating heritage bluestone remnants of the 19th century Pentridge buildings, Coburg Quarter will be much more than a new place to live.

Public transport is easy to find in the area, with links taking only 15-minutes to get you to the CBD. Schools and the University of Melbourne are all within close proximity to the unique space, while also being complemented by a new high street, offering a range of restaurants, caf&eacute;s, bars, retailers and spaces to engage with the wider neighbourhood.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783 project_image_fid=188150]

Coburg is where famous Australian musician, Tex Perkins, with leading publican Danial Caneva restored The Post Office Hotel a few years ago, with the venue now regularly packing in crowds to see gigs in the old pub and enjoy top nosh in the dining hall.

That&rsquo;s just the beginning though - with the traditional Lebanese flavours of Zaatar to the Latin-American infused cuisine of True North all within a stones throw of One Coburg, there are more than enough local flavours and eateries to not only draw people to the area but to keep every foodie here well and truly satisfied.

The communal spaces within One Coburg Quarter include an indoor lounge and dining areas that open seamlessly to an outdoor rooftop terrace with landscaping, outdoor seating and a barbecue for a more private entertaining option.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3783]

The thriving cosmopolitan part of inner Melbourne already boasts a number of eateries, parks and entertainment hubs, cementing itself as a place not only rich with history but also with potential for great expansion.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

How One Coburg Quarter fits into Melbourne's Coburg

Melbourne Quarter&rsquo;s East tower, designed by renowned architects&nbsp;Fender Katsal​idis, is set in the new wider precinct Lendlease has developed between the popular Collins and Flinders Street.

The national developer is now offering investors limited-time incentives in the completed <a href="/buildings/east-tower-melbourne-quarter-628-flinders-street-docklands">East Tower</a>, which include a choice between an eight per cent rebate OR a guaranteed rental yield of five per cent for two years^. That applies to all one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the 40-level East Tower.

One-bedroom apartments are priced from $446,000, with two-bedroom apartments starting from $607,000.

For a limited time Lendlease is also offering no stamp duty for eligible buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=147577]

The entry is a statement to the whole tower, through a grand lobby with a soaring nine metre canopy and signature stone and bronze highlights.

The theme of contemporary elegance is evident not only in the lobby but throughout the apartments, as exhibited from the high end fittings and timber flooring.

Each of Melbourne Quarter&rsquo;s one, two and three-bedroom apartments have been designed for timeless livability, with high-quality fixtures and fittings, considered layouts and contemporary interiors.

Take advantage of your brand new European appliances or if you prefer dining in without the hassle, the tower also boasts private dining spaces with fully-equipped kitchens and a residents&rsquo; lounge.

Soak in the sights from your sleek, stone-paved balcony from high-rise Skyhomes with panoramic city, river or bay views, to boutique apartments overlooking the green oasis below. Especially since a generous 50% of the precinct is dedicated to outdoor open space for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy.

Experience the views wherever you go, including at East Tower&#39;s exclusive Club MQ where every resident has access to three floors of resort-style amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=147571]

As part of Club MQ, the inner city development offers multiple fitness facilities exclusively for its residents, including access to gym facilities, a private yoga space, a spa and sauna and a 25-metre indoor swimming pool.

The pool area&rsquo;s large double-storey floor-to-ceiling windows provide countless opportunities to take in the city skyline while swimming laps.

Home to Melbourne&rsquo;s newest laneway, promising delights and delicacies for locals and visitors alike.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=147566]

As one of Melbourne&#39;s most popular retail precincts, you can pop down to the Designer Fashion Outlet whenever you like. Also within walking distance is Crown Melbourne, South Wharf Promenade and education hubs including the University of Melbourne and RMIT.&nbsp;

Melbourne Quarter is conveniently situated between two of Melbourne&#39;s most iconic streets, Flinders and Collins, and is opposite Southern Cross Station. It&#39;s just a stroll to&nbsp;Collins Street&rsquo;s top restaurants and retail stores and Bourke Street Mall.

^Apartments seeking nomination. Incentives are available for a limited time, subject to terms, conditions and eligibility criteria available at www.melbournequarter.com/live.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3459]

For a limited time Lendlease is also offering no stamp duty for eligible buyers

What incentives are Lendlease offering investors at Melbourne Quarter?

Southbank, the cultural heart of Melbourne, is getting a facelift from the Victorian state government, with plans to invest $470 million into redeveloping the art district.

ARA Australia are undertaking the government-funded project, with the purpose of enhancing amenities and experiences for locals, with a wider plan of attracting more visitors to the area.&nbsp;There will be new bars, office spaces and restaurants across a five-story podium.

The continued development of the Southbank area has apartment developers seeking to create towers for the expected high demand of buyers. The highly anticipated STH Bnk by Beulah is expected to launch in 2022, which will see around 449 apartments created in the $2.7 billion mixed-use development.

Urban has wrapped up the best apartments for sale in Southbank.

1. The Evermore 
Developer: Landence 
Price: From $455,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2087 project_image_fid=180823]

The Evermore, located on Dorcas Street and completed last year,&nbsp;was designed to be timeless in both architecture and interior design.&nbsp;

Comprising 200 apartments spread across two slender towers, the 24-level high-rise was designed by architect Hayball and developer Landence. The Evermore&rsquo;s towers are anchored by a podium where residents can shop at retail outlets. Unique in its folded composition and louvered facade, The Evermore offers a lift between its two towers to transport residents to a wellness zone on level three.

Floor plans are spacious ranging between 60 sqm and 120 sqm of living space with a versatile range of 200 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

Apartments under $1 million in The Evermore qualify for $0 stamp duty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2087 project_image_fid=180824]

2. Australia 108 
Developer: World Class Land 
Prices from: $480,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=182879]

Set on Southbank Boulevard, Australia 108, the tallest apartment tower in the southern hemisphere, was designed by the renowned architecture firm Fender Katsalidis and pays homage to the Australian flag with a rotated golden structure protruding from the building.

The 161 Cloud Residences are located between 210 metres and 319 metres above ground across the tower&rsquo;s 72 through 100 floors, atop the building&rsquo;s iconic Starburst feature.

A collection of four limited edition Nova sub-penthouses are also on offer. Located on level 97, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartments span up to 200 sqm. They have price tags between $4,746,000 and $5,558,000.The Cloud Residences also represent some of the most expensive residential apartments real estate in the nation, with prices between $1.9 million for a three bedroom and $25 million for the statement trophy 797 sqm penthouse, the most expensive apartment sold in Australia at the time of its sale in 2015.

Apartments under $1 million in Australia 108&nbsp;qualify for $0 stamp duty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=182851]

3. Melbourne Square 
Developer: OSK Property 
Prices: From $711,400

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=137896]

At Melbourne Square on Kavanagh Street, both public and private amenity has been thoughtfully considered, giving residents a number of relaxation, work and entertainment zones.&nbsp;

The impressive offering spans over 14,000 sqm and includes a landscaped public park, a network of green spaces, the city&#39;s largest resort-style pool (50 metres long) and private entertaining pods. Comprising 1,054 two and three-bedroom apartments, the development reflects the essence of the city thanks to dynamic designs by Cox Architecture.

Residents of the precinct can enjoy a host of shared amenities, including a resort-style outdoor pool, indoor pool, yoga studio, golf simulator, gym and private cinema.

Apartments under $1 million in Melbourne Square qualify for $0 stamp duty.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=137895]

4. FOCUS Melbourne 
Developer: Central Equity 
Prices: From $499,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62315]

Southbank is set to welcome newcomer FOCUS Melbourne on City Road, the product of a partnership between Central Equity and Doig Architecture.

Located on City Road, residents will benefit from easy access to an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and entertainment options, with the Botanic Gardens, Crown Entertainment Complex, Arts Centre and the Melbourne CBD all within walking distance.

Comprising 592 one, two and three-bedroom apartments spread across 50 levels, this glazed high-rise features a contemporary facade of strong rectilinear geometry, clear and bronze glass, and the retention of a heritage fa&ccedil;ade along the streetscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62320]

5. Normanby 
Developer: Capital Alliance 
Price: From $536,550

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1487 project_image_fid=92313]

Normanby, Southbank offers a unique way of living, with the 40 level development part of Australia&#39;s first AC Hotels by Marriot.

Residents of these private high-end apartments will be able to join the exclusive hotel membership and access services and amenities provided by the hotel, including, the infinity pool, gymnasium, concierge services, room service, housekeeping and much more. Featuring spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each apartment also comes with its own storage room located on the same level as your apartment.

Delivered by Capital Alliance and DKO Architecture, and built by Crema, the apartments start at $536,550 and rise to $1,431,150 for the three-bedroom apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1487 project_image_fid=92319]

The continued development of the Southbank area has apartment developers seeking to create towers for the expected high demand of buyers.

The best five Southbank apartments on the market

First home buyers will get an exclusive crack at three of the latest apartment projects by the Melbourne apartment developer, MAB Corporation.

A Victorian-first, MAB are offering what is essentially a pre-release of apartments just for those getting on the ladder for the first time, with an eight-week window before the apartments are available to everyone.

The three inner northern ring apartments,&nbsp;Academy North Melbourne, Merri Northcote and Preston Crossing, will see first home buyers get a chance to purchase with a three percent deposit, or less than $11,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109972 project_image_fid=185444]

For deposits greater than three per cent, purchasers will be entitled to a rebate that reduces the balance paid at settlement &ndash; an initiative designed to encourage saving while the homes are delivered.

Over 100 new apartments across the three projects will be available to first home buyers before launching to the broader public in 2022.

MAB General Manager Residential, David Allt-Graham said the initiative is&nbsp;a great opportunity for first home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109972 project_image_fid=185457]

&ldquo;MAB understands the challenges first home buyers face entering the inner-city property market and we believe that this initiative will help people in our city purchase their first home in tightly held inner-city locations,&quot; Allt-Graham said.

&ldquo;What&rsquo;s more, all three projects are being developed as sustainable, future-proofed homes with a minimum 7 Star NatHERS rating along with our commitment to deliver a 5 Star Green Star As-Built certification.

&quot;With a focus on sustainability, and operating fully electric, we&rsquo;re ensuring these future residents will have homes that are less expensive to operate and are better for the environment as we move towards a carbon-free future.

About MAB&rsquo;s Participating Projects 

Academy, North Melbourne 

The third collaboration between MAB and architect McBride Charles Ryan (MCR), Academy comprises 17 townhouses and 150 apartments and showcases an innovative, avant-garde design underpinned by flexible, welcoming homes that elevate the wellbeing of residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110214 project_image_fid=185969]

Merri, Northcote

Designed by Six Degrees to complement the natural beauty of Merri Creek, Merri Northcote will be home to 151 apartments upon its completion.

The new homes at the development aim to feel familiar and are immersed in their lush surroundings &ndash; encouraging a connection to nature through planned biophilic integrations and easy access to walking tracks.

Preston Crossing, Preston

Spearheaded by renowned architects Hayball, Archier and Breathe Architecture, Preston Crossing will home a&nbsp;mix of apartments and townhouses totalling 147 dwellings, which will champion progressive design and a connected community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109972 project_image_fid=185447]

Over 100 new apartments across the three projects will be available to first home buyers before launching to the broader public in 2022

MAB Corporation to reserve first release of three Melbourne apartment developments for first home buyers

The Agency Port Phillip agent&nbsp;Michael Paproth says every prospective apartment buyer he is speaking&nbsp;to at the moment is interested in knowing what&nbsp;the star rating of the building is, or whether there is EV charging.

&quot;Most buyers don&rsquo;t have an EV but understand that they soon will have,&quot; Paproth says, with buyers&nbsp;planning well ahead with their off t​he plan purchases.

Urban recently caught up with Paproth to discuss the trends emerging in the apartment market.

JC: How have you viewed the performance of the of​f the plan market in 2021, and what are the strongest positive and negative factors that will influence outcomes in 2022 and 2023?

MP: The off t​he plan market has been incredibly resilient in 2021. To consider that we threw a pandemic and statewide lockdown and lock out at it shows that Melburnians &ndash; the local market &ndash; have an insatiable appetite for new, low maintenance living.

The strongest positive factors for this market ironically are the lack of approvals for new development that have slumped and are only showing very slight improvement in numbers which will mean a drastic lack of supply into 2023/24. Coupled with the eye watering construction costs due in part to material shortages to lack of apprenticeships the market will absolutely lap up what little availability there is. 
&nbsp; 
The negative factors that will influence the market are all centred around immigration to and migration out of the state. My hope is that Melbourne will once again be seen as the safest and most beautiful City in the world to come and work and study in. As we open back up to the international students and expats return home to avoid the European winter I think we can expect that demand for new and off th​e plan will be extremely strong.

If we miss this opportunity then the sector may struggle. 
&nbsp; 
JC: What trend (short term or long term) has prompted your greatest enthusiasm for the apartment market, and what is the issue of most concern to you and or your clients?

MP: The short term trend that I have great enthusiasm for is seeing buyers embrace what they didn&rsquo;t know they wanted. Melbourne developers have stepped it up in relation to amenity and now buyers are enjoying life in 6 star hotel like accommodation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The longer term trends are the home as the central hub of entertainment and for work. Work from home is a now a thing and employees are showing flexibility as the pandemic rolls as the risk of a infecting a team or entire office means the flexibility remains. That is translating into studies and spaces for that within residences. We are also seeing things like Chairmans Lounges at Saint Moritz or Vaults at Rondure House which are dedicated, on title work spaces. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
JC: Has urbanisation stalled amid the rush to the regions and what will it look like over the decade ahead?

MP:&nbsp;Over 2021 I have sold numerous apartments to families who are maintaining an apartment close to the City in the villages of South Melbourne, Collingwood Elwood &amp; Brighton whilst making the family home on the Peninsula, West coast or Macedon Ranges. That&rsquo;s why we have seen those markets rise to extraordinary levels also. So I sense that the urbanisation may have stalled and a line has been drawn. Buyers want the City for dining, study, work, sports and enterntainment and the regions to enjoy time with family and space to unwind. Covid has taught us that none of us are getting out of life alive so we have to enjoy it. 
&nbsp; 
The next decade I think the trend will only get stronger. I think we will see our regional communities grow and our loved holiday getaway spots become family home towns for traditional City dwellers. WFH is now a thing rather than a stopgap and the ease of commuting with the onset of autonomous driving and better rail and transport infrastructure will ensure that to commute is not only palatable but enjoyable. The City will be a thriving hub of work, education, entertainment and sports. 
&nbsp; 
JC: How important do you view the push for sustainability practices in the apartment market, and what initiative has seized your interest or focus?&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
MP: I love what Gurner, Hip V Hype and Millieu in particular are doing with their focus on sustainability and industry leading strategies in the new developments market. We are now seeing individual activism in the sustainability space where I think we have worked out that marching in the streets and holding up traffic is really doing nothing in changing politicians minds to act on climate change. &nbsp;We are seeing market led change as buyers are consuming what leaders of the industry are now implementing.

I think we all want to be environme​ntally conscious and our developers are showing us how to do it! History will show that it wasn&rsquo;t government virtue signalling, but the entrepreneurs and developers who effected the most amount of change. 
&nbsp; 
Every (and I mean EVERY) buyer I speak with is asking what star rating is the building and is there EV charging? Most buyers don&rsquo;t have an EV but understand that they soon will have. This is again a situation where our visionary developers are building what we don&rsquo;t even know we need yet. It&#39;s market led. It&#39;s happening now.

"Most buyers don’t have an EV but understand that they soon will have," Paproth says, with buyers forward planning as to what the future holds

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Energy rating and electric vehicle charging on the apartment wishlist: Five Minutes with The Agency's Michael Paproth

Melbourne apartments values continued to show their resilience&nbsp;over 2021, with a further 0.5 per cent growth in November, CoreLogic&#39;s&nbsp;monthly Hedonic Home Value Index found.

Melbourne&#39;s rolling quarterly gains are now at 1.7 per cent,&nbsp;following a one per cent gain over October and 0.2 per cent growth over September.

The median apartment value across Melbourne is now 8.4 per cent higher than it was at the start of 2021, up from $576,000 to $626,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2806 project_image_fid=175417]

Based on median values, capital city houses are now 37.9 per cent&nbsp;more expensive than capital city units &ndash; the largest difference on record. In dollar value terms, a capital city house is averaging around $240,500 more than a capital city unit.

In Sydney, where the gap between house and unit values is the widest, a house costs $523,000 more on average than a unit. Melbourne&#39;s gap is around $360,000.

Although values are continuing to rise, the November result was the softest outcome since January when values rose 0.9 per cent.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=137895]

Tim Lawless, CoreLogic&rsquo;s research director, says the slowdown in the pace of growth is due to a number of reasons.

&ldquo;Virtually every factor that has driven housing values higher has lost some potency over recent months. Fixed mortgage rates are rising, higher listings are taking some urgency away from buyers, affordability has become a more substantial barrier to entry and credit is less available,&quot; Lawless noted.

&ldquo;With such a large value gap between the broad housing types, it&rsquo;s no wonder we are seeing demand gradually transition towards higher density housing options simply because they are substantially more affordable than buying a house.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108979 project_image_fid=181109]

Apartment rents in Melbourne continue to rise at a faster pace than house rents over the past four or five months, one of the few capital city&#39;s to be doing so, as investors become more and more inclined to get back in to the inner-city market.

&ldquo;Melbourne&rsquo;s unit sector was previously recording the weakest rental conditions of any capital city, with rents plunging -8.5% between March 2020 and May 2021,&quot; Lawless said.

&quot;It seems that more tenants are taking advantage of the renewed affordability of unit rentals, especially across inner city precincts where rents had previously fallen sharply.&quot;

In Sydney, where the gap between house and unit values is the widest, a house costs $523,000 more on average than a unit. Melbourne's gap is around $360,000.

Melbourne apartment insights: What happened to Melbourne apartment values in November?

Cultivate, the newest apartment project by developer Kincaid, is set to change the face of the small suburb of&nbsp;Heidelberg West&nbsp;when it is completed in late 2023.

Ideally located between the adjoining&nbsp;suburbs of&nbsp;Ivanhoe, Heidelberg and Preston, Cultivate will be the first high-rise in Heidelberg West. It will activate the&nbsp;street-level of Bell Street,&nbsp;with retail space at the foot of the two&nbsp;buildings.

Over 50 per cent of the building has sold, to a good mix of first home buyers, investors, and owner-occupiers, Kincaid&#39;s development manager Joel Martin says.

Investor Patrick Hernandez was one of the latest buyers. He saw a number of benefits&nbsp;to Cultivate, his first investment in Melbourne&#39;s northern suburbs.

We recently sat down with Patrick to discuss why he opted for a Cultivate apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=628 project_image_fid=178987]

JR: How did you discover Cultivate?&nbsp;&nbsp;

PH: Via email and Urban&rsquo;s internet website.

JR: What makes Cultivate an attractive investment opportunity?&nbsp;&nbsp;

PH: Good value for money with strong capital growth and long term rental yield.

JR: How do the returns in Heidelberg West compare to investments you have in surrounding areas?&nbsp;

PH: This is my first time to invest in this part of Melbourne, i. e., in the northern suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=628 project_image_fid=180701]

The investment however ranks comparatively though, with&nbsp;an attractive rental yield at 5.2% which is much better than most investment properties I have researched so far.&nbsp;

Capital growth is projected to be around the same level.

JR: Which apartment configuration did you opt for, and what led you to narrow down your decision to the apartment you purchased?&nbsp;

PH: I opted for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, one-park&nbsp;unit as this unit type would give me a much better yield than a one-bedroom unit in the long run.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=628 project_image_fid=180702]

JR: What made you decide to buy?&nbsp;&nbsp;

PH: The demographics and gentrification of the area has a lot of potential for further growth and development!!

JR: Are there features at Cultivate that surprised you?&nbsp;&nbsp;

PH: It has a WALK SCORE of 80, ergo, more room for future growth and development!

[smartcode_project:default project_id=628 project_image_fid=178984]

JR: What do you love most about what Cultivate has to offer residents?&nbsp;&nbsp;

PH: It&rsquo;s gentrification from surrounding but more established suburbs of Ivanhoe, Preston, and Heidelberg will spill over to Heidelberg West to spur further development in the area.&nbsp;

On top of this, La Trobe University has plans to become a &ldquo;world-class University City of the Future with its 235 hectare Campus development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=628 project_image_fid=178988]

Ergo, this will create over 20,000+ jobs over ten years, additional housing for 12,000 students, and educational facilities for 40,000+ students.&nbsp; This will generate $3.5B in GRP over 10 years!

JR: Do you have any advice for budding investors?&nbsp;&nbsp;

PH: Do the maths as this rare property investment in Cultivate is a no brainer!&nbsp; If you are looking for strong capital growth and consistent rental yield, DON&rsquo;T GO PAST CULTIVATE @ HEIDELBERG WEST!&nbsp; It will surely pay you handsome dividends!

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=628]

Over 50 per cent of the building has sold, to a good mix of first home buyers, investors, and owner-occupiers, Kincaid's development manager Joel Martin says

Why investor Patrick Hernandez bought a Cultivate, Heidelberg West apartment: Urban buyer Q&A

R&amp;F Property Australia&#39;s new glass-swathed Box Hill apartm​ent development, Prospect, has topped out it 25th level, on time and on budget, despite a number of external factors contributing to a significant slowdown in the off t​he plan apartment construction space.

The regarded apartment builder, Hutchinson Builders, commenced construction on the $157 million mixed-use tower, which incorporates 194 apartments as well as street-level retail,&nbsp;in January 2020, and are on track to see residents move in in mid-2022.

Vincent Chen, R&amp;F Property Australia General Manager, said Prospect had been designed to provide a solution to post-pandemic demand for residential apartments that allows people to live, work a​ nd play all under the one roof.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3516 project_image_fid=153765]

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited to see the vision for Prospect coming to life during a challenging time in Victoria&rsquo;s development and construction industry,&rdquo; Chen said.

&ldquo;COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of work/life balance, and buyers now want to live somewhere where they can work, rest and play all under the one roof.

&ldquo;Recognising this demand, we have adapted our original plans for the project&rsquo;s ground-floor commercial space in favour of retail shops and a caf&eacute;, so residents can shop or grab a cup of coffee without having to leave the building.

&ldquo;There are also plans for a co-working space at the podium level that will provide residents with a quiet, convenient place to work or study essentially on their doorstep, a wellness club that comprises of a swimming pool and a gym, and other contemplative spaces and lounges.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3516 project_image_fid=153762]

Prospect, at 9&nbsp;Prospect Street,&nbsp;in the heart of one of Melbourne&rsquo;s fastest growing suburbs,&nbsp;is located a short distance from the Box Hill Central Shopping Centre, education precincts, dozens of dining options, and excellent public transport services, including Box Hill Central train station and a tram stop.

Remaining apartments in Prospect start at $459,000, with a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments available.

R&amp;F Property Australia is also offering buyers a cash rebate of $25,000 for a limited time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3516 project_image_fid=153756]

Eugene Chieng, Director at Hayball Architects, said once completed, Prospect will create a sense of balance and ease of living due to the luxurious design and proximity to conveniences.

&ldquo;Residents are seeking wellness and balance to recalibrate life. The offering at Prospect will cater to a vast majority of buyers seeking this lifestyle which R&amp;F Property Australia and Hayball are committed to delivering,&rdquo; Chieng said.

&ldquo;The &ldquo;butterfly-shaped&rdquo; tower footprint takes advantage of the privileged views with outlook towards the Dandenong Ranges to the east and City views to the west while the slightly tapered profile of the floor plate also subtly allows for the apartments to capture and maximise daylight.

&ldquo;If immediacy and convenience is the new luxury, Prospect has it all at its doorstep. A vertical village where residents inhabit, work near home and have immediate access to daily needs is highly appealing in this inter-covid / post pandemic climate.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3516]

Remaining apartments in Prospect start at $459,000, with a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments available

Prospect, Box Hill apartment development tops out on time and on budget

In the last few years Ormond, the small, near Bayside suburb, has grown to become one of Melbourne's most sought-after areas.

On the fringes of Brighton and Caulfield, Ormond is well connected to the rest of Melbourne through extensive bus&nbsp;and train network, as well as&nbsp;access to major road networks.

The small pocket in the Glen Eira district has grown substantially, and is&nbsp;now brimming with&nbsp;bustling retail precincts, extensive amenities and education options, as well as having many spacious public parks and gardens, and of course its proximity to Brighton Beach.

Ormond came to life more than 150 years ago, growing with the nearby CBD while still maintaining its community charm of a Bayside lifestyle.

Set to take advantage of the growth in the suburb is Walsh Grange, a contemporary collection of just 23&nbsp;apartments, developed in a joint venture between CQ Property Development and Loi Projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108897 project_image_fid=180976]

A short stroll from Ormond Station, Walsh Grange offers one, two and three-bedroom residences, designed by&nbsp;local architecture firm Telha Clarke.

Named after its corner location bordering Walsh and Grange Street, Walsh Grange&nbsp;has been designed to deliver the security of community and the comfort of a private, premium residence.

It puts residents near Ormond's own&nbsp;shopping precinct, as well as&nbsp;&nbsp;takes advantage of a number of nearby shopping strips, including Carnegie,&nbsp;Bentleigh&nbsp;and Caulfield.

The Chadstone Shopping Centre, with more than 500 stores and boutiques, is one of Australia’s largest retail experiences, alongside a range of medical, financial and entertainment amenity, there’s a multitude of restaurants and cafes serving an impressive diversity of international and local dishes. That's just 10 minutes away.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108897 project_image_fid=180983]

Families can find many of Melbourne’s finest schools within proximity to the development, with private schools like Kilvington Grammar, to state schools like&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/bentleigh-vic-3204">Bentleigh</a>&nbsp;Secondary College and McKinnon Secondary College. The jewel in the crown is its close proximity to Monash University, one of Australia’s top tertiary institutions.

Within ten minutes you can find yourself by the bay at North Road foreshore where there is a beach side bike path stretching around the southern bay for kilometres.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108897 project_image_fid=180973]

Playgrounds, parks, sporting grounds and facilities, gardens, pools, bike paths and trails, Walsh Grange is surrounded by an incredible array of public outdoor spaces and activities.

It’s key to what makes Walsh Grange in Ormond such a hidden gem – an impressive collection of residences expanded by convenient amenity and places to enrich your life.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108897]

Ormond came to life more than 150 years ago, growing with the nearby CBD while still maintaining its community charm of a Bayside lifestyle.

Stepping Out: What's around Walsh Grange in Ormond 

It&rsquo;s been nearly two years of rolling lockdowns, but Melbourne is officially open for business. Not just to residing Melburnians, but to interstate travellers, office workers, and the rest of the world, all factors which contribute to experts&rsquo; belief that inner-city apartment prices are ripe for growth.

Buyers wanting to secure an apartment in the City of Melbourne LGA, which includes the CBD as well as popular surrounding areas of Southbank, Dockl​ands, Carlton and North Melbourne, <a href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/land-transfer-duty-concession-or-exemption-city-melbourne-residential-property-transactions">can save 50% in stamp duty</a> on new&nbsp;apartments&nbsp;worth up to $1 million.&nbsp;If the property has been on the market for more than 12 months, then stamp duty is waived completely.

But the expectation is prices will have jumped significantly by then. Despite the pitfalls of 2021, from lockdowns, lack of interstate and international travel, and the exodus of office workers from the CBD for the best part of nine months, the median apartment value in the City of Melbourne LGA is still up 7.5 per cent year to date, research from property data firm CoreLogic shows.

Scott Jessop, the sales and marketing director at OSK Property who is currently developing the $2.8 billion mixed-use precinct <a href="/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">Melbourne Square</a> in <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>, said there&rsquo;s been a major uptick in enquiry volumes since Melbourne&rsquo;s lockdown was lifted.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=139891]

&ldquo;Since mid-October we&rsquo;re trending up week on week,&rdquo; Jessop says, adding that there&rsquo;s been activity from across the board, from buyers walking in to display suites to those making appointments.

Jessop says he just dealt with a foreign purchaser who is buying for his daughter who is studying in Melbourne. &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t seen one of those transactions in over 18 months&rdquo;, Jessop says, expecting that he will be seeing more as international students return.

&ldquo;The combination of the generous stamp duty concessions, the continued affordability gap between house prices and apartments, and the reactivation of the CBD, will no doubt see growth ahead.

&ldquo;A perfect storm is coming for the Melbourne apartments, it&rsquo;s just a matter of when.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=137896]

Jessop says as demand grows, developers are likely to reduce the incentives that they are currently offering buyers. Buyers of apartments at <a href="/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">Melbourne Square</a> can save up to $120,000 on an apartment with an average sale price of $850,000. The savings include the government stimulus and a range of free incentives such as furniture packages and design stylist consultations.

Dennis Wilson, the managing director of <a href="/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> who is currently selling <a href="/buildings/focus-melbourne-81-city-road-southbank">Focus</a>, the soon to be complete 600-apartment Southbank apartment tower, and the completed <a href="/buildings/melbourne-grand-560-lonsdale-street-melbourne">Melbourne Grand</a>, Lonsdale Street apartments, expects the City of Melbourne to bounce back strongly in 2022.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62353]

&ldquo;The federal and state governments are working to open borders and increase business migrant intakes, stimulate the tourism industry, re-invigorate major events and welcome back international students. The City of Melbourne should be a beneficiary of this,&rdquo; Wilson says.

The general consensus is that buyers are coming back from the surrounding suburbs, having spent the last few years outside of the city.

&ldquo;As well as seeing buyers already living in the inner-city, we are seeing interest from people who are looking to move from the suburbs, wanting to be closer to their workplace as offices reopen, shops and all the conveniences that come with inner city living,&rdquo; Wilson added.

&ldquo;For many the inner city is a more affordable option than living in their existing suburbs.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62320]

Elysa Anderson, General Manager of Residential Victoria at <a href="/developers/mirvac">Mirvac</a>, said the Mirvac team is focused on accelerating their supply of high-quality apartments in Melbourne, as they anticipate a shortage of owner-occupier residences in premium locations in the future.

&ldquo;We anticipate Victoria&rsquo;s population growth and demand for apartments to continue to strengthen in line with the Victorian Government&rsquo;s Roadmap to Recovery and various state budget stimulus packages,&rdquo; Anderson said.

&ldquo;The strength of the established housing market and the opening up of international borders will continue to drive very strong demand for well-designed and quality constructed apartments,&rdquo; Anderson added.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3494 project_image_fid=180326]

Mirvac has tweaked the design of Tower 9, in their master-planned Yarra&rsquo;s Edge precinct in the burgeoning Docklands&nbsp;area.

The ASX-listed developer saw a considerably stronger market for their projects in 2021 than in 2020, with <a href="/buildings/voyager-docklands-103-south-wharf-drive-docklands-vic-3008">Voyager</a>, the recently completed eighth tower in Yarra&rsquo;s Edge, seeing a 20 per cent increase in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period the year before.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3494 project_image_fid=167751]

Around 80 per cent of the buyers were owner-occupiers, but Anderson says they are seeing investors slowly creep back in.

&ldquo;Investors have begun to return to the market, primarily focused on master planned communities but demand is also gathering pace in the apartment markets.&quot;

For more information on stamp duty savings in the City of Melbourne,&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/land-transfer-duty-concession-or-exemption-city-melbourne-residential-property-transactions&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1637718410495000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3WoR6xmIwVttUthAfW2SKq" href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/land-transfer-duty-concession-or-exemption-city-melbourne-residential-property-transactions" target="_blank">read more here</a>.

The suburbs that can save on stamp duty:

<a href="/new-apartments/kensington-vic-3031">Kensington</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051">North</a><a href="/developments/north-melbourne-vic-3051"> Melbourne</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/parkville-vic-3052">Parkville</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/carlton-vic-3053">Carlton</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/east-melbourne-vic-3002">East Melbourne</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/south-wharf-vic-3006">South Wharf</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/docklands-vic-3008">Docklands</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/melbourne-vic?bedroom-prices2=1000000&amp;any-bedrooms=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bedrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=5&amp;any-bathrooms=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;bathrooms%5Bvalue2%5D=3&amp;any-parking=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue%5D=1&amp;parking%5Bvalue2%5D=4">Melbourne</a>,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/west-melbourne-vic-3003">West Melbourne</a>.

Parts of <a href="/developments/flemington-vic-3031">Flemington</a>, <a href="/developments/carlton-north-vic-3054">Carlton North</a>, <a href="/developments/port-melbourne-vic-3207">Port Melbourne</a>, and <a href="/new-apartments/south-yarra-vic-3141">South Yarra</a> are also eligible&nbsp;for stamp duty concessions.

Buyers wanting to secure a new apartment in the City of Melbourne can save 50% in stamp duty on properties under $1 million.


Melbourne apartments

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Melbourne apartments

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News