Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Melbourne

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A tenanted commercial building in Melbourne’s iconic retail strip Chapel Street is set to go under the hammer on May 18.
Located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-vic-prahran-502364494" target="_blank">228-230 Chapel Street, Prahran</a>, the building consists of two shops and a first floor office with mezzanine apartment.
The combined rent from the property is $250,756.36 plus GST with upside potential.
The land area is  277 sqm while the floor area is 569 sqm.
The building has been fully refurbished and the three titles are being offered as a whole.
Its zoning is Commercial 1. The listing agents are Joseph Walton, James Gregson and Michael Ryan of Allard Shelton.
It last sold in 2006 at $2.89 million.
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Tenanted building in Melbourne's Chapel Street set for auction 

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
The continuing housing boom in Sydney and Melbourne has driven business confidence to a two year high in the latest National Survey of Building and Construction for the March quarter 2017.
But the most dominant picture emerging is of the growing disparity in activity and confidence between these markets and the rest of Australia. 
Western Australia's builders are doing it particularly tough with some Perth building businesses reporting that confidence is at its lowest in 30 years.
As we approach the May Federal Budget, this should reinforce to policy makers why 'sledgehammer' one-size-fits-all responses to housing affordability are extremely ill-advised. 
Overall, the residential building sector's record run has some way to go with the March quarter survey supporting an expectation of a high level of building activity to extend until the end of the year.   
The survey also shows tentative signs of improvement for builders in the non-residential sector for the remainder of 2017 in line with expectations that the sector has reached the bottom of the cycle.
Despite the non-residential activity index dipping below 50 and the national pipeline of non-residential work remaining unchanged, better approvals data supports a more positive outlook.
Consistent with previous quarters, demand for labour continues to be dominated by the Sydney and Melbourne markets with pressures around availability of some trades reflecting conditions typical in a peaking cycle.
But a new bright spot to emerge in the March quarter was the indication that the majority of South Australian builders intend to hire more staff in the next six months.
It's a good sign for SA's builders and highlights the vital role the industry plays in building a stronger economy and stronger communitie
Matthew Pollock, is national manager, housing, Master Builders Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://www.mbansw.asn.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Disparity in two speed housing market widens: Matthew Pollock

<html><body>
New apartment sales in Melbourne are slowing, along with supply, according to property consultant Urbis.
The consultancy's fourth quarter 2016 survey suggested 10 surveyed projects had already met pre-sale thresholds.
But others have "likely been affected by moderating short-term demand conditions", according to Urbis whom issued the report as the market responds to the latest curbs on investment.
Mark Dawson, director of property economics and research, said supply volumes were starting to scale back as financial and regulatory measures applied the brakes.
"Future launches will give a more genuine indication of market appetite for central city projects, since there has been some easing of momentum at the tail end of major projects," Dawson told Fairfax Media.
"Sales volumes have held firm in precincts outside the central city, yet continue to remain modest in the context of central city volumes over the last two years.
"Successful suburban projects are delivering similar sales numbers on a quarterly basis compared to central precinct projects, as market appetite continues to spread to the suburbs." 
According to Urbis, prices for new apartments rose in the last quarter last year compared to the previous quarter in the inner-north and inner-west precincts.
But they fell in the central, inner-east and inner-south precincts and overall.
The weighted average sale price in inner Melbourne was $658,000.
"Prices tend to move around on a quarterly basis due to variation in stock, so we have not seen evidence of a pullback in pricing," Mr Dawson said.
Separate figures from consultancy Charter Keck Cramer last month showed the number of apartment commencements in Melbourne dropped<a href="https://www.afr.com/real-estate/melbourne-apartment-correction-could-tip-into-affordability-disaster-udia-20170308-gut6pz"> </a>from 24,500 in 2015 to 16,300 last year.
The Weekend Australian reported more than half the apartments bought off the plan in Melbourne’s CBD, Docklands and Southbank since 2011 have changed hands at a loss, according to research from BIS Oxford Economics.
The rash of losses sets a lower bar for valuers, meaning banks are willing to lend less on the next sale, according to BIS analyst Angie Zigomanis.
“The risk is that this cascades down, setting lower benchmarks for the next round of apartment projects,” he said.
According to BIS Research, Melbourne city, which includes the CBD, Southbank and Docklands, Whitehorse city (including Box Hill, Burwood and Mitcham) and Port Phillip city (including Port Melbourne, St Kilda and part of Southbank) saw more than half units bought off the plan since 2011 breaking even or reselling at a loss.
Melbourne’s building cycle will peak in 2017 with 18,350 new high-rise units completed compared with 13,453 last year. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New apartment sales in Melbourne slowing: Urbis

<html><body>
Transport and Logistics as well as pre-commitments are driving Melbourne’s industrial property market, with a shortage of serviced lots driving hikes in land values in some precincts, according to Savills.
Monica Mondkar, associate director research, Savills, said Transport &amp; Logistics accounted for 320,330 square metres or 36 percent of the 891,964 square metres leased in the 12 months to March 31.
She said the total square metres leased was down on the 970,317 square metres reported leased in the previous 12 months but remained well above the five year average of 740,010 square metres.
"Savills research also revealed a continuation of the strong pre-commitment market with the 251,270 square metres of pre-committed industrial space adding to the 316,191 square metres pre-committed in the previous corresponding period, bringing to well over half a million (567,461sqm) square metres in total pre-commitments over the last 24 months," she said.
"The trend to online sales in particular was a key factor behind continued growth in demand for warehouse and distribution centres.
"Melbourne’s industrial market has traditionally been home to a wide range of occupiers including manufacturing, engineering and wholesale sectors, however tenant demand from the transport &amp; logistics sector over the past two years has been increasing steadily and the rise in online retailing has been a key driver,’’ Ms Mondkar said.
"Household goods and housing construction were also significant industrial demand drivers in Victoria, as population growth continued to outstrip all other capitals.
Melbourne’s population growing at 2.4 per cent - the fastest in the nation – ahead of Brisbane (1.8 percent) and Greater Sydney (1. percent).
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="110">
Square metres reported leased   
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
Year to March 2017
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
Year to March 2016
  
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Five year
  average
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Year on Year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Five Year change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="110">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
891,964
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
970,317                  
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
740,010
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Down 8 %
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Up 20%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Savills Australia Research
Greg Jensz, Savills’ Victorian Head of Industrial Sale &amp; Leasing said the very strong pre-commitment market was being driven by a number of factors including attractive rental deals and the lack of suitable stock.
"In some cases tenants are finding more attractive rental agreements than available with existing buildings but this has generally been negotiated over longer, circa 10 year lease arrangements," he said.
"In other cases buildings have been purpose-built to suit the peculiar requirements of tenants, for example cold storage users, which in most cases is simply not available, and generally these are larger requirements and so inflate total leasing data.
"A shortage of available serviced land had seen significant hikes in value.
"Land prices are through the roof due to a severe shortage of available serviced land.
"Small lots in the north are now going for up to $325 a square metre and lots of one hectare plus have sold for up to $250 a square metre.
"Meanwhile in the west small lots are achieving $275 a square metre and one hectare plus up to $210 a square metre.
"Embryonic growth of a new speculative industrial construction push was another factor driving land values, especially around key transport routes, however rental growth had not been a contributor.
"What speculative construction there is has, more often than not, been on land purchased some time ago at cheaper rates allowing construction to stack up for some developers at current rents."
Key industrial leases 12 Months to March 2017
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Tenant
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
Address
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
GLA sqm
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Lease type
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Seaway Logistics
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
11-25 Toll Drive, Altona North
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
16,144
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Direct
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Metro Trains
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
610 Heatherton Rd, Clayton South
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
24,065
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Direct
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Ceva Logistics (Toyota)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
8 Doriemus Drive, Truganina
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
22,840
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Direct
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Isuzu Trucks
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="191">
66 Foundation Rd, Truganina
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
21,685
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Precommit
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Anmar
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
14 Felstead Avenue, Sunshine West
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
15,720
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Precommit
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Woolworths
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
Portlink Estate, Dandenong
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
60,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Precommit
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="141">
Spectrum Brands
</td>
<td valign="top" width="191">
Chifley Business Park, Mentone
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
30,668
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
Precommit
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Source: Savills Research
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Transport & Logistics, pre-commitments, driving Melbourne industrial market: Savills

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Melbourne’s retail market continues its strong run and continues to improve, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The property valuation firm says that Melbourne’s retail property market has continued its strong run over the past 12 months with supply generally limited and yields firming and reflecting pent up demand and rising prices.
The steady low interest rate environment, strong Australian dollar and the ongoing perception of being a safe haven have all combined to drive strong interest from domestic and overseas retail property buyers.
The Melbourne CBD retail property market continues to go from strength to strength.
Despite approximately 50 new shops opening in the 12 months to January 2017, the vacancy rate is stable and below the five year average.
“Rents have remained stable and range from $1,500 per square metre for CBD shopping centre space to $11,000 for Bourke Street Mall frontage while yields range from 3.5% to 6.5% for CBD shopping space and 3.5% to 5.5% for the Bourke Street Mall.
St Collins Lane, formerly Australia on Collins, which completed a $30 million upgrade in 2016, sold in November 2016 for $247 million on an initial yield of approximately 5% and a rate of $27,444 per square metre,” the report stated.
The revitalised site offers over 9,000 square metres of retail space over four floors.
With street frontage to Collins Street and Collins Lane in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, the centre comprises 60 specialty stores, including international brands such as The Kooples, Reiss, Sandro Paris, TAG Heuer and Coach plus restaurants.
The Melbourne CBD apartment construction boom and consequential growing population have been the driving force behind the strong market.
With more retailers scheduled to open their doors in the Melbourne CBD, including British retailer Debenhams’ first foray into the Australian market, and more apartment completions, 2017 is shaping up to be another strong year for the retail property market in the Melbourne CBD.
Within the suburban shopping centre market, owners may however be affected by store closures following the recent collapse of a number of retailers including Pumpkin Patch, Herringbone, Rhodes &amp; Beckett, Marcs, David Lawrence, Payless Shoes and Howards Storage World.
"Many commentators are forecasting more retail brands, particularly clothing retailers or fast fashion competitors, to fold in the face of increased competition from overseas retailers such as Uniqlo, H&amp;M, Zara and the forthcoming arrival of giants Amazon and Alibaba as well as a gradual yet inexorable move to online retailing.
"Store closures may affect suburban shopping centres in particular as it is precisely these shopping centres that the above named global players have pushed into," the report tipped.
Local mid-market players are effectively squeezed out both in terms of retail price of clothing and also in costs with overseas players able to negotiate lower rents than their local counterparts.
While the closure of one or two stores may not have much of an immediate impact for shopping centre landlords, over the longer term shopping centre vacancies on a larger scale may combine to push sales growth and rental growth down, subsequently impacting income levels and values of shopping malls.
Meanwhile, council valuations are released on a two yearly cycle and council rate notices for 2017 are now becoming available, it advised.
"As land values have generally risen markedly across metropolitan Melbourne it is highly likely that land tax bills will also increase.
"Landlords are likely to face higher land tax bills from the State Revenue Office.
"Under current Victorian state based legislation (the Retail Leases Act 2003), landlords are unable to recover land tax from their retail tenants unless the occupancy cost (rent and outgoings) exceeds $1 million per annum or the tenant is a listed corporation or a subsidiary of a listed corporation.
"Consequently, owners may try to recover higher occupancy costs through increases in rentals which tenants may resist.
It is therefore possible that higher land tax costs could lead to more lengthy and greater numbers of dispute resolution processes relating to tenancy occupancy costs.
“For example, we are aware of one large retail site in Hawthorn where the site value increased from $10.05 million in January 2014 to $11.223 million in January 2016 with the current land tax bill increasing from $183,600 to $210,000.
Although the Melbourne retail investment market currently appears to be strong and purchaser interest for retail properties is relatively high, we are of the view that this is led by an optimistic buyer perception of the market direction and may not ultimately reflect what is actually happening with tenant demand, affordability and achievable investment returns on a property,” the report stated.
There appears to be a discrepancy between capital values and rental income growth as capital values within precincts experiencing this exponential growth appear to be indicating strong growth whilst rental income growth appears to be moderate in comparison.
As such, the market within these precincts may be more strongly affected by economic volatility.
The Melbourne retail market has experienced a significant strengthening in purchaser demand over the past 12 to 24 months.
We have witnessed several strong results in recent times and it is worth noting that there is a perception of a rising market at present.
A downturn in the economy or a softening in local market conditions could lead to downward pressure on demand and price in the short to medium term.
Purchasers and tenants alike are advised to ensure due diligence and proper market research is conducted prior to making purchase and rental decisions.
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HTW expect increased Melbourne retail tenancy disputes after new State Revenue land tax valuations

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Property group Charter Hall Group has announced that its Direct Office Fund (DOF) has leased several floors in the glass wall skyscraper, 1 Nicholson Street, on the northern edge of Melbourne CBD for an eight-year term.
Leading water treatment and chemicals company Ixom has leased three levels of the building.
1 Nicholson Street is Melbourne’s first glass curtain wall facade skyscraper, designed by Bates Smart and built in 1958. The building comprises 18 levels of office, ground floor retail cafe and basement parking.
It is located opposite Parliament Gardens at the intersection of Lonsdale/Albert and Nicholson/Spring Streets with commanding views and natural light throughout.
Head of Charter Hall Direct, Steven Bennett said, “We are pleased to partner with an existing customer to deliver property solutions that meet their individual business requirements and create value.”
“We are excited that Ixom will continue to be located at the iconic 1 Nicholson Street building, and that they value the quality of the building and its strategic location in one of the most desirable precincts of the city,” Bennett said.
DOF currently comprises 10 office buildings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth with a total value of $1.025 billion as of December 31, 2016.
The fund is currently open to investors who can expect to earn 6.25% per annum income distribution with the prospect of capital growth and the advantage of partial tax deferred tax returns.
DOF returned 15.9 percent per annum in the 12 months to 31 December 2016.
This compares to the benchmark return - the MSCI/IPD Australian Unlisted Wholesale Property Fund Index - of 11.1 percent over the same period.
“DOF is a flagship fund for the Charter Hall Direct business,” said Bennett.
"Its key characteristics of long WALE (weighted average lease expiry), 100 percent occupancy, exposure to the strategic markets of Sydney and Melbourne accounting for over 75% of the fund’s portfolio, conservative gearing, and high quality tenants, is emblematic of the Charter Hall approach to property investing and a reason for our ongoing success,” Bennett added.
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Charter Hall fund says Melbourne's iconic 1 Nicholson Street has new tenants

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Melbourne could join Sydney sooner in the million-dollar median house price club, with Domain chief economist Dr Andrew Wilson saying it could happen by the middle of 2018 instead of the December quarter he spoke of just two weeks back. 
Melbourne's median house price was more than $795,000 in December 2016, according to the Domain group.
Record migration levels and the recent moves by the Victorian government to waive off stamp duty on homes up to $600,000 will drive the price growth, said Dr Wilson. 
"I believe the Melbourne median house price would exceed a million dollars by the middle of next year," he said on 2GB’s Nights with Steve Price show, revising his forecast of a $1 million by the December quarter of 2018 he spoke just a few weeks earlier carried in an article in Domain.com.au.
Sydney’s median house price surpassed $1 million in July 2015 after 8.4 per cent growth in a single quarter.
Dr Wilson expects Melbourne’s price growth to average 3 per cent a quarter for the next year and a half, which would push the median house price beyond $1 million "sooner rather than later".
Dr Wilson said  “a change in the tax mix it can have a sharp short-term impact on the market” such as the recent announcement by the Andrews Labor government that from July 1, there would be no stamp duty for first home buyers for purchases below $600,000.
Those buying a home valued between $600,000 and $750,000 will be eligible for a concession.
First-home buyers purchasing cheaper properties would likely “activate” upgraders in the market, who would then spend more for their next property, pushing up prices, Dr Wilson said.
He cited the rapid price rises from 2009 to 2010 as a result of sops to first-home buyers. During this time, thousands of dollars in incentives were provided to first-home buyers to buy into the market.
Dr Wilson also cited the near-record levels of migration into Melbourne as a key driver of prices on a 2GB’s Nights with Steve Price show. 
He said net migration into Victoria was about 83,000 for the 12 months to September 2016, according to ABS data. Much of that was into Melbourne and “that’s what pushing rents up and prices up in the Melbourne market”.
Low interest rates were also part of the equation and it “has left the market cherry ripe for an absolute rush of buyers”, he said.
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Melbourne's median house price to reach $1 million by mid-2018: Domain's Dr Wilson

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Six fully leased Melbourne childcare centres are on the market selling as a group or individually with prices around $7 million to $9 million each, or $50 million for the portfolio.
The six centres include:
<ul>
<li>66-70 High Street Road, Ashwood -   15yr + 10x10yr options. Net rental $486,218 per annum</li>
<li>105A Kangaroo Road, Hughesdale (above) -   20yr + 10yr option. Net rental $545,879 per annum</li>
<li>103-107 Koonung Road, Blackburn Nth -  20yr + 10yr option. Net rental $498,015 per annum</li>
<li>60 Florey Avenue, Point Cook -   20yr + 10yr option. Net rental $511,200 per annum</li>
<li>1 Toolambool Road, Carnegie (below) -   20yr + 10yr option. Net rental $438,697 per annum</li>
<li>37 Venice Street, Mentone -   20yr + 10x10yr options. Net rental $367,822 per annum</li>
</ul>
 
Julian Heatherich from Savills said the portfolio combines exceptional landholdings, quality buildings, geographic diversity and a tenancy profile that is rarely available elsewhere in the commercial property market.
"Put this together with built-in rental growth and significant income tax depreciation benefits in a rapidly growing, government backed industry and it is an asset that will find few peers,’’ he said.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/4/Carnegie%20CC%20Centre.jpg" alt="">
"The tenancy lists includes several highly regarded companies including ASX listed G8 Education, national provider, Guardian Early Learning, and Nino Early Learning Adventures.
"Investor appetite for well-located childcare investment properties was as strong as ever, with an increasing number of local and off-shore investors appreciating the combination of fundamental investment attributes available within this booming sector of the market.
"With recent child care sales at yields ranging from 3.89 percent in Thornbury to 5.1 percent in Rowville, investors have a fantastic opportunity to secure genuine value and compelling rental yields in this portfolio of properties."
Mr Heatherich said key drivers of the childcare market have been the rapidly growing nature of the childcare sector, the confidence that comes from the strong support the sector has from the Federal Government, and Victoria’s strong population growth.
 
The properties will be sold by Expressions of Interest closing Wednesday, April 26.
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$50 million Melbourne childcare portfolio for sale

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A standalone office building in South Melbourne has sold for $5.5 million.
 The freehold building at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-vic-south+melbourne-502307034" target="_blank">9-11 Palmerston Crescent</a> was sold with vacant possession having last traded for $1.1 million in 2008.
Its land area is 476 sqm with a floor area of 711 sqm.
The two-level fitted office building has potential for further development subject to council approval.
The zoning is Commercial 1. 
It is close to the new Domain train station. 
The selling agents were Michael Ryan, James Gregson and Joseph Walton of Allard Shelton.
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Office building in South Melbourne with development potential changes hands for $5.5 million

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New and old apartments around inner Melbourne have been compared to see which were more valuable in 2016, according to Secret Agent’s recent report.
The sample included 1674 apartment sales across inner Melbourne’s suburbs and the CBD from January to December 2016.
New apartments are those built from the 90s onwards, excluding any recent off-the-plan apartment sales.
Old apartments include Art Deco units and flats located in 60s to 80s brick buildings.
The model accounted for location, size of the apartment (number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, floor area of internal and external space) and whether a car park was included or not.
It was found that on average and holding all else constant, older style apartments in inner Melbourne are expected to sell for $38,000 more than new apartments, which is a 5.75% increase in average expected sale price.
This is significant at all levels of significance (p &lt; 0.01).
The results are shown in Table 1.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-06%20at%201.40.07%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/06/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-06%20at%201.40.07%20pm.jpg" alt="">
A comparison based on the number of bedrooms shows that one and two bedroom apartments of both styles had similar average sale prices.
It is mostly with very small (studio) and very large (three or more bedroom) apartments where we can observe the biggest price differences.
Old studio apartments sold on average for 27% more than new studios, while old apartments with three or more bedrooms sold for 19.5% more than their new counterparts.
Different apartment sizes can be accounted for by comparing them on a price per square metre basis.
Table 2 shows that for old apartments, the price per square metre declines as the number of bedrooms increases.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-06%20at%201.40.15%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/06/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-06%20at%201.40.15%20pm.jpg" alt="">
The best value is gained from apartments with at least three bedrooms, which sold on average for $8,600/m2, while older studio apartments were the most expensive per square metre at nearly $10,000/m2.
For new apartments, smaller apartments are all similarly valued, with 1 bedroom selling cheapest at $8,400/m2, nearly $800/ m2 cheaper than older brick and Art Deco apartments.
New apartments with three or more bedrooms are more expensive than larger old apartments at nearly $9,100/m2.
While this data alone gives no definite explanation as to why old apartments are valued more highly than newly built apartments, some possible reasons include:
• On average, older apartment buildings will be smaller than new buildings, which may make them more appealing to buyers. They may also be better located to buyer’s preferences.
• Well maintained or refurbished apartments located in older buildings often have a lot more character than new apartments.
• Our sample contained more than twice as many new apartments compared to old, suggesting that the relative rarity of good quality, older style apartments makes them more appealing.
• Older apartments often have more spacious layouts and higher ceilings.
Even so, it is somewhat surprising that the average sale price of older apartments surpasses that of new apartments.
Often more amenities (gym/pool, underground parking, etc.) are found in newer apartment buildings and they are generally easier to maintain.
This may suggest that new developments are not meeting the needs of buyers, who instead are willing to pay a premium for older apartments.
A three bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-st+kilda-125090398" target="_blank">7/29 Marine Parade</a>, St Kilda (above) has been listed for sale with interior filled characters and bay views for April 22 auction.
For more information from Secret Agent, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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