New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

Joel Robinson

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

The long-planned transformation of Brisbane's historic Shafston Estate has taken another major step, with Capella Hotel Group announced as the luxury hospitality partner behind what will become Brisbane's first branded residences.

The project, to be known as Capella Residences Brisbane, is being delivered by Verso Projects at the landmark Kangaroo Point riverfront estate, with completion targeted for 2029.

The announcement follows a series of planning changes to the project over recent years. The site was originally approved in 2023 for a 15-level, 37-apartment development designed by Rothelowman for Burgundy Group before Verso Projects took over the 10,070 sqm riverfront holding and lodged revised plans with Kerry Hill Architects to increase the development to a 25-level tower with 51 apartments.

The latest announcement confirms Capella Hotel Group will bring its branded residential offering to the project, marking just the second Capella Residences development globally after Seoul, and the group's first branded residential project in Australia.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/23-castlebar-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Castlebar Street development</a> will centre around the restoration of the heritage-listed Shafston House, one of Brisbane's oldest residences, originally constructed in 1851 by Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage known as Ravenscott.

<img alt="Capella" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b9f4ce5-638f-4d6b-8082-3ca7e4b75fca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-09%20at%207.20.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=f7aeqsW_DzOJI4FymWb3lD8NptSfsP7q" />

Capella said the project aligns with its focus on heritage-led developments, with the Brisbane estate combining the restored historic residence with a new luxury apartment tower and hospitality-inspired resident amenities.

Residents will have access to the Capella Living Room, a concierge-led communal space inspired by the group's luxury hotels, alongside landscaped gardens, six swimming pools, wellness and recreation facilities.

The broader estate will also include two riverfront homes, a six-berth private marina, porte cochère arrival experience, secure basement parking and a new section of public riverwalk along the Brisbane River frontage.

The heritage Postal Depot Building will also be retained and repurposed as a guest house, in line with the revised development plans.

The project represents another evolution for the site, which Kerry Hill Architects previously described as a rare opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's most significant heritage estates while creating a new benchmark for apartment living.

"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane's finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," Kerry Hill Architects said in its Urban Context Report accompanying the planning submission.

"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."

Verso Projects, which now has an $8.5 billion development pipeline spanning more than 6,000 dwellings across apartments, townhouses, retail and commercial projects, said the partnership with Capella would elevate the development beyond a traditional residential project.

"We feel honoured to be restoring Shafston Estate to its former glory, elevating it to new heights of luxury and excellence underpinned by Capella's distinctive service ethos and design philosophy, and making it a standout landmark in Brisbane," Verso Projects CEO Steve Laffey said.

"By partnering with Capella, globally recognised for its refined approach to luxury hospitality and deep respect for cultural and historical context, we will elevate this project beyond a residential offering into a world-class destination."

Capella Hotel Group President Roland Fasel said Brisbane's emergence as a global city made it the right location for the company's Australian residential debut.

"Brisbane is a city on the cusp of something remarkable, and Capella Residences is our commitment to being part of that story," Fasel said.

"The Capella residential experience is more than luxury. It is about a sense of belonging to a place with deep meaning."

Private appointments have now opened for the project, with a display suite expected to open in late 2026 ahead of the planned 2029 completion.

Capella to launch Brisbane's first branded residences at Shafston House, Kangaroo Point

Lewis Land's latest apartment release within its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan is targeting one of the Gold Coast's fastest-growing buyer groups, with almost a third of apartments at Solis priced below $1 million.

The seven-storey building at Biggera Waters will comprise 91 apartments, including 24 one-bedroom residences starting from $778,000, a price point Lewis Land says is aimed squarely at first home buyers struggling to enter the Gold Coast market.

<img alt="Harbour Shires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7486e37-22f6-4c92-b212-9b0622070b8f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=W8MJwJUCf6HkIyl_EVSksnd.QI6MZryY" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the developer deliberately allocated a significant proportion of the project to more affordable apartment types.

"First home buyers have been priced out of many parts of the Gold Coast, and we saw a clear opportunity to address this and play our part in a longer-term housing solution," Long said.

"That's why 24 of the 91 apartments being delivered at Solis have been designed and priced for the city's next generation of homeowners, quality one-bedroom apartments, half of which include an additional multipurpose room to maximise space and flexibility.

"This approach places 30 per cent of apartments in Solis under $1 million, and with close proximity to Harbour Town's future light rail extension connecting residents to the city's major employment and knowledge hubs, it's a win for buyers looking to secure their first property."

<img alt="Sores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550526d3-73ba-4710-9739-c5f4294a30ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cQQdXHt9wS0UXwZEm5Py5bH_3kAmzyhu" />

Designed by BDA Architecture, Solis will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with residences ranging up to 232 sqm. Apartments feature generous balconies and contemporary finishes, while residents will have access to Harbour Shores' lagoon pool, clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga studio and sauna.

The focus on first home buyers resonated with purchaser Holly Humphreys, who said she and her boyfriend spent more than a year searching for their first property before shifting their attention from houses to apartments.

"We fell in love with the first house we bid on and got our hopes up, but after repeated knockbacks we learned not to get too attached," Humphreys said.

"We offered at the high end of price guides, but sales kept going even higher. That's where we really struggled and we needed to re-evaluate our budget and our expectations. Standalone houses were off the table, and we pivoted to apartments and townhouses."

Humphreys said it was encouraging to see developers recognising the growing demand from first home buyers.

"There's a growing number of young buyers looking to enter the market earlier because they understand that getting in now can make a real difference as prices continue to rise," she said.

"It's fantastic to see a developer recognise this and then actively take measures to deliver an apartment with us in mind."

Solis is the first development planned within the second stage of the Harbour Shores masterplan, with early works expected to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land targets first home buyers at latest Harbour Shores release, Solis

Luxury apartment developer Abadeen has recorded $19.25 million in apartment sales across two of its Lower North Shore developments in the lead-up to the end of the financial year, headlined by the sale of a $6.75 million penthouse at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/koyo-crows-nest-5-rodborough-avenue-crows-nest-nsw-2065">KOYO in Crows Nest.</a>

The transactions also included the sale of a newly completed three-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences in Cremorne</a> for $6.35 million, with the residence selling shortly after the project's first public inspections following completion.

The sales come as completed, owner-occupier-focused apartments continue to attract strong demand across Sydney's Lower North Shore, particularly from buyers looking for certainty and immediate occupancy.

The penthouse at KOYO spans 491 sqm across a single level and was designed by architect Koichi Takada. The development is one of Abadeen's flagship boutique projects in Crows Nest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=370093]

Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said buyer activity lifted noticeably in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.

"We saw a clear increase in enquiry levels, inspection numbers and buyer engagement across our completed projects leading into the end of the financial year," Brown said.

"Buyers have become far more decisive over the past six months. The combination of improving confidence, limited supply and the ability to physically inspect completed residences is creating strong competition for premium apartments in the best locations."

Brown says the&nbsp;response to Park Residences following completion has been particularly strong.

"Buyers want certainty and are responding positively to the opportunity to walk through a finished product, inspect the quality firsthand and move in immediately," Brown suggested.

"Projects such as Park Residences and KOYO demonstrate that when the product is exceptional and the location is irreplaceable, buyers are prepared to act quickly."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=370116]

Abadeen CEO Joe Tack said quality continued to differentiate projects in the current market.

"Today's buyers are incredibly discerning," Tack said.

"They are seeking larger floorplans, premium finishes, walkability, lifestyle amenity and confidence in the developer delivering the project. Well-designed boutique developments continue to outperform because they offer something genuinely difficult to replace.

"The enquiry we are seeing across our completed and recently completed Lower North Shore portfolio is very encouraging, and we expect this momentum to continue into spring."

The sales follow increased enquiry across Abadeen's Lower North Shore portfolio which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective in Naremburn</a> which also completed recently.

KOYO penthouse headlines Abadeen's $19.25 million EOFY sales flurry

Melbourne

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The median house price in Victoria has recorded its largest increase since 2000, according to data from Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s quarterly December report.  

For the first time, metropolitan houses in Melbourne surpassed a median value of $900,000, jumping by 9.5 per cent from the September quarter to $941,000.  

House prices in middle Melbourne increased by 8 per cent to $1,066,500.

Regional Victoria recording its highest quarterly growth since 2003 with houses at median price of $485,500, up 9.2 per cent from the September quarter, and 7.5 per cent annual growth.

Regional unit prices recorded a 3.5 per cent quarterly increase, to be now 10.3 per cent more valuable than they were 12 months ago.    

Units in metro Melbourne achieved a median price of $639,500, 2.5 per cent higher than the September quarter and an annual increase of 3.8 per cent.  

Following the lifting of intensive lockdowns in October, activity in the property sector returned in Victoria, with an estimated 29,500 transactions in the December quarter, the highest number of quarterly transactions in 2020, surpassing the March quarter at 27,500.  

REIV president Leah Calnan said the Victorian property market has remained “remarkably resilient” in 2020 despite dire market predictions at the on-set of COVID-19.  
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For the first time, metropolitan houses in Melbourne surpassed a median value of $900,000



jchancellor

Victoria's median house price records largest increase since 2000

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Mirvac’s breathtaking community of Waverley Park offers ideal family living with sustainable and energy-efficient design in Melbourne’s Mulgrave.

The <a href="/buildings/waverley-park-6-goodison-court-mulgrave">final stage of the precinct, Finale</a>, which includes its own picturesque lake, offers three, four and five-bedroom park front homes, adding a serene extension to your own private front garden.

The parklands include barbeque and dining areas, large playgrounds and multi-purpose courts for children, teenagers and adults to enjoy an active and motivated lifestyle.

<a href="/buildings/waverley-park-6-goodison-court-mulgrave"><img alt="" height="600" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mir0751_waverleypark_s050_ext_park_clay_-_final2000_website_listing_1200px_x_600px.jpg" width="1200"></a>

Each five-bedroom home features generous open-plan living, connecting seamlessly with the outdoors, designed by Mirvac’s in-house design team.

The six-star energy rated homes boast cross-ventilation and superior insulation, reducing energy use and energy costs. LED lighting, solar hot water and energy-efficient appliances will deliver further savings for residents.

<a href="/buildings/waverley-park-6-goodison-court-mulgrave"><img alt="" height="731" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/waverley_park_internal_1299px_x_731px4.png" width="1299"></a>

Located within walking distance of Waverley Park’s cafés, shopping precinct and oval, Mirvac offers residents convenience and community.

The project’s five-bedroom homes are finished with quality material, with customisable options to personalise the space, walk-in pantries and Smeg appliances.

The two-storey homes also include a balcony, patio and alfresco area, as well as a two-car garage.

Five-bedroom residences are priced from $1,245,000, while three-bedroom homes begin at $785,000.

With limited family homes remaining, and only a short drive to the fashion capital, Chadstone, Waverley Place is not one to miss.

To find out more information on Waverley Place, <a href="/buildings/waverley-park-6-goodison-court-mulgrave">click here</a>.
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Each five-bedroom home features generous open-plan living, connecting seamlessly with the outdoors, designed by Mirvac’s in-house design team

max.kwok_55688

Inside the five-bedroom homes at Mirvac’s Waverley Park 

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<h2>OPINION:</h2>

Having worked in the industry continuously for many years, I have seen property trends come and go and come again, and I believe right now is a particularly interesting time. For the first time in many years, decades even, First Home Buyers have more opportunity than ever to get themselves onto the property ladder.

It’s been well documented that Millennials in particular have found buying their first home a lot more difficult than previous generations, so the government grants and stamp duty exemptions on offer right now are particularly welcome – however many people are not actually aware of what is available to them, or that they might be closer than they think to owning their own place.

Although it seems that word of all the assistance available is reaching a few savvy purchasers, our main source of enquiry are first home buyers at our newest project in Brunswick, <a href="/buildings/brunswick-yard-8-ballarat-street-brunswick">Brunswick Yard</a>. The combination of historically low-interest rates of c. 1% (cash rate) and government grants have really boosted appetite for entry-level property product. For first home buyers in particular, it's not servicing the loan that is the biggest problem, it's saving the deposit in the first place. Conversely, some people have come through the Melbourne Covid lockdown with more money in their savings accounts than previously, especially when you add in early superannuation withdrawal.

We are seeing that young people are viewing this time as a unique time to step onto the first rung of the property ladder and really capitalising on the government grants and financial assistance. There is a lot of movement in the market. The Residential <a href="/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-australias-25-000-homebuilder-grant-how-much-off-the-plan-homebuyers-could-save">Homebuilders Grant</a> has been extended to the end of March 2021, albeit at a reduced rate of $15,000. The grant is available to individuals with annual income below $125k a year, or couples with a combined income of up to $200k based on 2018-19 tax returns.

<a href="/guides/how-to-navigate-australias-first-home-buyer-grants" target="_blank">First Home Buyers’ Grant</a> is a Victorian state grant for property purchases up to $750k. The grant is for $10k for inner-city and $20k for regional locations. And most excitingly, First Home Buyers purchasing their first place up to $750K receive stamp duty 
concessions. If your home has a dutiable value of $600,000 or less, you receive the first home buyer duty exemption (no stamp duty payable). However, if your home has a dutiable value of $600,001 up to $750,000, then you receive the first home buyer duty concession of 50% reduction of stamp duty.

What I believe to be the most interesting thing about all of the above, is that these grants and concessions can be compounded! So, if you are eligible for them all, then you could be saving yourself many tens of thousands of dollars! If you are looking to buy in the Brunswick area, and in particular are looking at off-the-plan projects such as the one my team and I are working on at Brunswick Yard, I would also impart advice on what to look out for to ensure you are putting yourself in a good financial position for the future.

We only work on projects that we believe are positive contributions to the area and our city. I believe that Brunswick Yard is a good example of how medium-density living can add to (not deflect from) inner-urban living and the built realm, as there is an important equation of location + design - price to consider. This is something especially true if the project is considerate to its community and the people residing and working in the area.

Firstly, location is everything. Location informs the character and identity of a building. In real estate, a corner site is always preferable because of the views and aspects it provides. A corner site also anchors the look and feel of the block.

Next, do your research on the architect and the developer. If they are well regarded and have a strong track record, then you can rest assured you are in safe hands and your project won’t fall behind schedule. Looking at our Brunswick Yard project from a design perspective, the architect, Chris McCue of Carr respects the urban landscape but is looking to add more nature for residences of Brunswick through biophilic design references through the building. Brunswick Yard is wrapped in a growing green vine which provides fresh air reticulation and privacy. There’s also a central courtyard that will bring light into the residences and provide a space for residents to have BBQs and makes it much more likely for meaningful interactions to take place which over time leads to a sense of community. The <a href="/news/apartments-now-90-sold-biophilic-design-a-key-contributor-to-melbourne-quarters-sales-success">biophilia</a> hypothesis is the idea that humans have a need to connect to nature due to our evolutionary dependence on nature for survival and personal fulfilment. 

Finally, one more hot tip would be on parking as it’s a contentious topic for purchasers. This too is well considered with Brunswick Yard with generous residential parking of 144 car spaces and 175 bike parks will alleviate traffic congestion in the community. Non-stacker parking is always attractive to residents!
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Olivia Round

First Home Ownership and Brunswick Yard

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The near $300 million sale to Chinese interests of the building contractor Probuild has fallen through, after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg declared the transaction as contrary to Australia's interest.

The Australian Financial Review reported Frydenberg deemed that Probuild was a significant player in a sector that was critical to Australia's economic and social wellbeing.

China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the state-owned Chinese company, has withdrawn its offer.

The major building contractor is Melbourne-based and largely South African-owned. Late last year Probuild won the National Construction Master Builder of the Year and National High-Rise Apartment Building for The Towers and Ritz Carlton at Elizabeth Quay Project in Perth at the 2020 Master Builders National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards.

The offer attracted rigorous Foreign Investment Review Board scrutiny given the Chinese state-owned builder is the largest construction company in the world.

It has been active in Australia.

The Australian newspaper’s DataRoom column first reported CSCEC’s interest in Probuild in June last year.

Probuild’s parent, South African infrastructure contractor WBHO, holds an 88 per cent interest.

The Probuild founder Phil Mehrten stepped down from the construction group on its 30th anniversary in 2017, when it had a national project pipeline of $5 billion and annual revenue of $2 billion.

The small team’s key early project was to refurbish a shopping centre at Altona Gate in Melbourne’s west.

It went onto projects including Chadstone Shopping Centre, where it has worked on its many major expansions since 1988.

Mehrten took on partners including Wayne Judson and Ted Yencken, then  equity backing from the South Africa-listed WBHO which enabled Probuild to better compete with multinationals.
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China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the state-owned Chinese company, has withdrawn its offer.

Near $300 million sale of Probuild to Chinese interests falls through

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Apartments of Melbourne, which specialised in short stay Melbourne apartment accommodation, has gone into administration.

It is being liquidated by Cor Cordis partner Sam Kaso.

The business had turn over of more than $10 million annually from 160 serviced apartments in Empire Melbourne Central, 555 Flinders Street, and 568 Collins Street.

The collapse of business travel has been blamed for the administration, along with rival accommodation hitting the market from the online booking site Airbnb. 

At its peak, Apartments of Melbourne employed 52 people, according to director Neil Devonport.

Booking.com. and the ATO rank among its bigger creditors, according to The Australian, with creditors owed around $1 million.

Apartments of Melbourne started in 2015.

Devonport told The Australian almost 25,000 rentals had come on to the Melbourne market in the last six months, with over half being short-stay apartments where operators had walked away.
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The collapse of business travel has been blamed for the administration, along with rival accommodation hitting the market from Airbnb



Short-stay accommodation provider Apartments of Melbourne goes into liquidation

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North facing, affordable, and excellent on-site amenities were some of the priorities on first home buyer Lisa Luong's list. Lisa used Urban as a research tool before purchasing her dream property at R.Iconic. 

Having been on the home buying journey recently, we asked Lisa what advice she would have for buyers who are considering Melbourne's exciting new development, R.Iconic.

Apartments.com.au: Which apartment configuration did you opt for, and what led you to narrow down your decision to the apartment you have purchased?

Lisa Luong: I purchased a one-bedroom apartment at R.Iconic that has its own study. While the project has some awesome work spaces scattered throughout it, I wanted access to my own private working area but this had to be separate from my bedroom! Another big drawcard which led me to purchasing at R.Iconic was the availability of north-facing apartments within my price range. Lots of natural light is a must-have for me and I am really happy with the apartment I was able to secure.

U: Were you already looking for property when you discovered R.Iconic?

LL: I had been window shopping for a little while before I found R.Iconic and started to think seriously about purchasing my own place. I felt like there was always something missing from the different apartments I was enquiring at before coming across the project – this was usually due to size or configuration. R.Iconic was very reasonably priced in comparison to projects in similar inner-metropolitan areas, and the purchaser incentives available, like the HomeBuilder grant, was definitely something which helped me reach my decision.

<figure><a href="/buildings/r-iconic-south-melbourne-259-normanby-road-south-melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="354" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/riconic-melbourne-253-273-normanby-road-south-melbourne-2d21669256a3bb69584a6a2b128cdaed.jpg?itok=sInST2qk" title="R.Iconic communal rooftop garden" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>R.Iconic communal rooftop garden</figcaption></figure>U: Since this is your first property purchase, how did you find the due diligence research and purchase process?

LL: I actually found the due diligence process quite complicated. Apartment conveyancing can get pretty tricky at the best of times as there is a lot of paperwork to familiarise yourself with and complete. Thankfully the R.Iconic sales teams were really supportive throughout this process and helped me with all my enquiries.

U: What advice would you have for other first home buyers?

LL: My first piece of advice to other first home buyers would be to write down all the questions you have and make sure these are answered before committing to your purchase. Like most people out there, buying a new home is a huge investment, so I wanted to be absolutely certain the apartment I was looking at R.Iconic was the right one for me. I would also encourage first home buyers to do as much research as they can – believe it or not, I actually jumped onto Apartments.com.au during my research phase which was really insightful!

<figure><a href="/buildings/r-iconic-south-melbourne-259-normanby-road-south-melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="341" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/riconic-melbourne-253-273-normanby-road-south-melbourne-155e09fe7a5266ce1214465eb07766de.jpg?itok=--PtEh29" title="R.Iconic's luxurious swimming pool" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>R.Iconic's luxurious swimming pool</figcaption></figure>U: What do you love most about what R.Iconic has to offer residents?

LL: The extensive list of amenity has something for everyone and the development’s convenient location in the CBD South precinct is perfect for city workers who want to be close to the office but out of the hustle and bustle of everyday city-living.

U: Did you have a set of criteria that your first home had to meet?

LL: I was looking for apartments with great amenity in up-and-coming areas, however I did not want to buy in a spot that was super busy. This meant living in the heart of the city was off the cards for me as I think it is too congested. Instead, I wanted to live in a residential area closer to established homes and in a great neighbourhood – R.Iconic definitely met this criteria!

U: What was it like negotiating with the sales agent and the team at R Corporation?

LL: All my dealings with the R.Corporation team were great! They would always answer my enquiries in a timely manner and did so in a straightforward way that was simple to understand. My questions and requirements were always paramount when dealing with the development and sales teams which made the complexities of purchasing my new apartment a lot easier.

<figure><a href="/buildings/r-iconic-south-melbourne-259-normanby-road-south-melbourne"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="363" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/riconic-melbourne-253-273-normanby-road-south-melbourne-fc17fc67f571260438f31e4c62098cf3.jpg?itok=igFT1qon" title="R.Iconic's resident lounge" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>R.Iconic's resident lounge</figcaption></figure>U: What made you decide to buy off-the-plan rather than an existing dwelling?

LL: Something that ultimately shaped my decision to buy off-the-plan at R.Iconic was how much value you get for your money. The project is absolutely packed with useful everyday amenity which made it stick out from the other apartment candidates I was considering at the time. R.Iconic’s HomeBuilder grant eligibility was another key component which helped shape my decision to purchase off-the-plan at the project – I did not know apartments could even be eligible for this until the development and sales teams told me!

U: R.Iconic has a pretty impressive on-site amenity list. Which amenity is your favourite? 

LL: I cannot wait to get into the listening room at R.Iconic! I am a big fan of all things classical music and was so excited when I saw this space on the list of amenity at the project. It is such a great idea and it will be a good way to meet new people. I am also looking forward to getting my fitness levels up around the outdoor new running track. I love how this has been integrated into the project’s design and hopefully it will get more people outdoors and breaking a sweat!

<a href="/news/urbans-tour-of-the-r-iconic-display-suite">Watch Urban's tour of the R.Iconic display suite.</a>
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Why Melbourne's R.Iconic was a first home buyer's apartment of choice

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The Preston house on the first season of Channel Seven’s renovation program House Rules has been listed for August 29 auction.
It is the home of the contestant brothers, Nick and Chris Stavropoulos.
John Petsinis from Hocking Stuart has the three bedroom, two bathroom weatherboard house.
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<div id="link-photo"><img src="https://images.realestateview.com.au/pics/376/19-Jackman-Street-Preston-VIC-3072-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9273376.jpg" alt="19 Jackman Street Preston VIC 3072 Real Estate Photo 1" title="19 Jackman Street Preston VIC 3072 House - Photo 1"></div>
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<div id="soldbanner">The property at 19 Jackman Street, Preston, last traded at $555,000 in mid-2012.</div>
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One of its new features is the stacked-stone fireplace.
Jackman Street's most recent sale was $895,000 in July this year for another three bedroom 1930s cottage that last sold at $446,000 in 2008.
Nick and Chris, the Channel 7 Melbourne House Rules brothers handed over the keys to fellow renovation contestants of their Californian bungalow in Preston in 2013.
It came with a mortgage of $524,000 which would have beeen wiped off by Channel 7 if they had won the renovation competition series hosted by Johanna Griggs.
<img class="img-responsive" src="/images/stories/flexicontent/l_houserulesmay30breakout.jpg" alt="Preston House Rules renovation with $524,000 mortgage after $555,000 brotherly purchase">
The 1930s bungalow went to July 2012 Ray White auction without success, subsequently listed at $580,000.
The brothers paid $555,000 in August 2012 for the 1930s bungalow on its 475 square metre block.
"A lot of our money went into our deposit," <a href="/news/preston-house-rules-renovation-with-524-000-mortgage-after-555-000-brotherly-purchase">the Stavropoulos brothers told the House Rules viewers</a>. 
There was a subsequent $49,000 development application with Darebin Council.
The brothers, who also appeared on Channel 9’s Reno Rumble, have made a few minor alterations since the show, including extending the outdoor area.
No price guidance is being given.
The median price of houses in Preston has jumped 8.8 per cent over the past 12 months to $700,000, <a href="/news">according to CoreLogic RP Data</a>, having been at around $575,000 when the house was bought in mid-2012.
 
 
 
 
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Preston House Rules house hits the Melbourne auction market

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There are 1,043 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,124 for the same time last year.
The highest volume of auctions is in St Kilda with 23 expected, followed by Reservoir with 22 and Kew with 19.
In the auction market the increased volume has shifted the market in favour of buyers with a lower clearance rate resulting from the almost 2,000 auctions held over the past fortnight.
In the private sale market however sellers are seeing a peak in demand with lower days on market and reduced discounting prevalent.
On a city wide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale tightened from 40 days to 37 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting fell from -5.1% to -4.9%.
Key data
•       Clearance rate week ending 12 October: 70%
•       Melbourne auctions expected week ending 19 October: 1,043
•       Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 12 October: 37 days (houses)
•       Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 12 October: -4.9% (houses)
•       Listings being prepared for market are 4.3 per cent higher in month ending 12 October (seasonally adjusted)
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Melbourne market shifting in favour of buyers: RP Data's weekend auction preview

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the December 2015 quarter.
The data showed that inflationary pressures remain very low with headline inflation rising 1.7% over the year and core inflation (underlying inflation) increasing by 2.0% over the past year, which is right at the lower end of the Reserve Bank’s (RBA) target range for inflation of 2% to 3%. Of course across most developed nations there are very few inflationary pressures currently despite record low interest rates.
As a follower of the residential housing market I always like to have a look at the impact of inflation on Australian capital city home values by adjusting the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index for the impact of inflation. 
As you’d expect with inflation so low it is having minimal impact however, over the longer term it has had an impact on the real increase in capital city home values.
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With nominal home values increasing by 7.8% in 2015 across the combined capitals, when adjusted for inflation growth is somewhat lower at 6.0% over the year.  In terms of the individual capital city performances the four cities which recorded nominal value increases have still seen values rise in real terms albeit the rate of growth is lower.  Alternatively, the cities which recorded value falls have seen larger value falls in real terms.
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The trends across the capital city housing markets have shifted substantially since the financial crisis after home values declined during 2008.  Since the financial crisis home value growth has surged in Sydney and Melbourne, while elsewhere the rate of value growth has generally been comparatively modest. 
The chart above shows nominal and real home value changes over the seven years from December 2008 to December 2015.  While Hobart was the only capital city to record a nominal value fall over that time, in real terms values are lower over the past seven years in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth while they have barely moved in Darwin and Canberra.
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To further highlight the previous point, the above chart shows the change in real home values across each capital city since their previous cyclical peak.  Sydney and Melbourne are the only two capital cities in which home values are higher than their previous peak. 
After Sydney home values hit a previous peak in March 2004 they are currently 21.1%, in Melbourne home values peaked in September 2010 and are currently 6.5% higher.  Elsewhere home values are -11.0% lower than the March 2008 peak in Brisbane, -9.8% lower than their June 2010 peak in Adelaide, -13.5% lower than their September 2007 peak in Perth, -21.8%  lower than their December 2007 peak in Hobart, -19.3% lower than their September 2010 peak in Darwin, and -8.5% lower than their June 2010 peak in Canberra. 
Despite historic low mortgage rates over recent years, home value growth in real terms over recent years has been soft.
Of course most people don’t think about the ‘real’ growth in home values, we tend to operate in a nominal world.  We see the value of our assets rising and we are generally quite happy with that however, it is important to at times consider the impact of inflation and if our asset values are rising at a faster pace than prices more broadly.
The data shows that even with historic low mortgage rates, real home value growth has failed to show any substantial or sustainable pick-up outside of Sydney and Melbourne.
This suggests that other economic factors are impacting on demand for housing. Furthermore, the drivers of housing demand in Sydney and Melbourne are somewhat different to the rest of the country. Some suggestions as to what these factors are would be the rise in demand from overseas purchasers, greater demand due to better jobs growth and employment prospects as well as the fact that these cities already have more than 4 million people compared to our next largest city at around 2 million people.
The much higher population results in substantially more housing demand than elsewhere in the country.
 
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Sydney and Melbourne are the only capital cities with any significant increase after inflation: Cameron Kusher

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The South Melbourne ANZ branch premises have sold under the hammer for $5.7 million.
It is the latest in a series of properties owned by superannuation funds to be offered to the market.
CBRE managed the sale campaign for the 307 Clarendon Street property, which is leased to ANZ for a two-year term.
The auction for the 469sqm freehold property attracted a crowd of more than 100 people, with a total of 32 bids received from a pool of local and offshore investors.
Mr James said the sale highlighted a recent flurry of movement from investors looking to divest properties purchased through superannuation funds. 
This is ahead of tax changes to be introduced next year.
“Some 28% of properties we have listed in November and December are owned by superannuation funds.
"This is with a number of these owners receiving advice that there could be significant tax implications should they continue to hold these assets in their super post June 30 next year,” Mr James said.
“We have started to list properties under these circumstances for the start of 2017, and anticipate seeing further stock coming onto the market all the way through to June, should the new regulation be passed.”
Mr Hage said the strong sale result, which translated to a yield of 3.5 percent, further evidenced the ongoing demand for quality leased assets in premium locations.
“This asset represented an outstanding investment opportunity, given its attractive tenancy profile and prominent position in South Melbourne,” Mr Hage said.
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