For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Mermaid Beach

With buyer demand still booming, the Gold Coast property sector is set to ease the apartment shortage, delivering on more than 2500 units across 20 new tower projects.

One area that has been especially popular with developers is Mermaid Beach. Famous for its boutique, low-rise projects, there&#39;s been a wave of development applications in the last four weeks in the exclusive beachside suburb.

It&#39;s a battle to be as close to the beachfront. Hedges Avenue is one of the most expensive strips of real estate on the whole of the Gold Coast, with some of the states most expensive homes just off the sand.

Just south of Hedges is Albatross Avenue. Also beachfront, the strip has become a more viable option for developers, with land prices slightly more affordable than the neighbouring Hedges Avenue.

A local developer recently lodged plans for a boutique four-unit development at 90 Albatross Avenue.

<img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/90_albatross.png" /> 
The plans for 90 Albatross&nbsp;Avenue. Image credit: BDA Architecture

BDA Architects&nbsp;has designed the project, with each apartment spanning a whole floor. The development&nbsp;will also feature a partial additional level, which will home the resident&#39;s communal amenity, including a plunge pool, an open barbecue, terrace seating and a powder room.

The apartments all have&nbsp;three bedrooms, each with&nbsp;with walk in robes and ensuites.

A few rows back from the beach is the popular Petrel Avenue, where there&#39;s also been two development applications lodged in recent weeks.

Bespoke developer Revilo Projects, who focus on boutique, high end stock, has lodged plans for a three-storey development at 3 Petrel Avenue, with just three apartments.

<img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/3_petrel.png" /> 
The plans for 3 Petrel Avenue. Image credit: BDA Architecture

There will be two three-bedroom apartments along with one four-bedroom apartment, with each residence occupying a full floor.

BDA Architects is creating the apartments with&nbsp;a soft colour palette, with white batten screening, timber soffits and natural stone, creating a coastal facade offset by the subtle curves of the built form.

Private open spaces have been incorporated for each apartment, with the ground floor apartment taking advantage of a large podium terrace, and the upper two apartments with the luxury of private roof top terraces.

These large, liveable apartments will cater for the down sizer or larger families looking to move closer to the beach.

Up the road at 84 Petrel Avenue, developer SK2 Property has also had BDA put together plans for four whole-floor apartments.

Embracing sub-tropical design objectives and delivering a residential building of a contemporary, minimalist coastal form and character, the main indoor living areas are oriented toward the street frontage of Petrel Avenue, leading out to expansive outdoor living spaces.

<img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/84_petrel.png" /> 
The plans for 84 Petrel Avenue. Image credit: BDA Architecture

The group recently lodged plans for a similar three-storey residential build at 33 Albatross Avenue.

At the southern end of Petrel Avenue is Chairlift Avenue East, where&nbsp;MAYD Group will be creating something special with eight apartments.

Plus Architecture has designed the four-storey building at 13-15 Chairlift Avenue,&nbsp;which will have&nbsp;two three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartments on the ground level, spanning just under 300 sqm. Wrapped in private courtyards and terraces, each apartment will also home its own private plunge pool.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Levels two and three will also feature two apartments, this time with a three-bedroom, three-bathroom, plus multi-purpose room configuration. Each apartment sits across 204 sqm of floorspace, opening out to a southern facing 20 sqm balcony.

<img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/13-15_chairlift_ave.png" /> 
The plans for 13-15 Chairlift Avenue. Image credit: Plus Architecture

Level four is home to the two penthouse apartments, each with exclusive access to their own private rooftop terraces. Spanning 200 sqm internally on the fourth floor, most of the living areas occupy this space. The rooftop terrace incorporates 39 sqm of internal space and a further&nbsp;140 sqm of terracing, complete with&nbsp;their outdoor kitchen and plunge pool. &nbsp;

Famous for its boutique, low-rise projects, there's been a wave of development applications in the last four weeks in the exclusive beachside suburb.




alisonwarters@gmail.com

Boutique apartments set to take over Mermaid Beach

Mermaid Beach's exclusive street, Albatross Avenue, is set for a luxury new boutique apartment project.

SK2 Property, headed by Founder and Director&nbsp;Stuart Kirk, have lodged plans for a three-storey development at 33 Albatross Avenue.

Designed by the local architecture firm&nbsp;BDA Architecture, the proposed development comprises six luxury apartments, configured by a single unit at ground floor, two units per floor for levels one and two, and a single penthouse spread between level three and the rooftop.

Giving attention to the preservation and enhancement of the character of the neighbourhood, the designs embrace sub-tropical design objectives, delivering a residential building of a contemporary, minimalist coastal form and character. Responding to the beachfront location, each apartment follows open-plan living flowing out to the private balconies.

This design outcome not only optimises views toward the adjacent beach, but also accommodates the private residential bedrooms to be within the rear section of the floorplate.

The ground floor apartments are all three-bedrooms, featuring ensuites and walk-in-robes, as well as an outdoor living area and access to the communal areas on the southern side of the site.

<a href="/new-apartments/33-albatross-avenue-mermaid-beach-qld-4218"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="652" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-24_at_11.29.38_am.png" width="966" /></a>

Levels one and two house four-bedroom apartments, all with walk-in-robes and ensuites, study nooks, a laundry and drying area, and a powder room. The main indoor living and dining areas occupy the eastern part of the floor plate and lead directly onto a 20 sqm balcony, optimising access to natural daylight and the sea breeze.

Level three of the proposed development accommodates the penthouse, comprising of three-bedrooms and an office, as well as walk-in-robes and ensuites. A living area, laundry, storage, study, bar and reception area is also included, with the main living area leading directly onto a 32 sqm north-facing balcony. The southern balcony adjoins the master-bedroom, spanning 12 sqm.

The communal recreation space is placed on the ground floor, where there's a gym and meeting room adjoining the entry, along with a pool and communal lawn located on the north-eastern corner of the site, adjoining the beachfront.

The roof terrace consists of private open space for the exclusive use of the level-three penthouse below, as well as a lawn area, seating, a powder room, barbecue facilities, a spa and a pool overlooking the beach.

The built form provides comfort and functionality to the residents while creating a visually appealing interaction with the streetscape and immediate surrounds, which is made up of a range of two to seven-storey buildings.

“The high quality built form will be a positive architectural contribution to the streetscape character of Albatross Avenue,” BDA noted&nbsp;in their design statement submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The architectural design is complemented by landscaping from LEAD Design Group, creating attractive and usable outdoor spaces within the development, as well as a high-quality and desirable interface with the street frontages and neighbouring property boundaries.

Designed by the local architecture firm BDA Architecture, the proposed development comprises six luxury apartments



SK2 Property lodge plans for luxury apartments on Albatross Avenue in Mermaid Beach 

Local Gold Coast developers, Sherpa Property Group, have unveiled plans for their latest development, Perspective Albatross, as demand for property on the coastline continues to be in high demand.

Located on Albatross Avenue in Mermaid Beach, Perspective Albatross will be a bespoke low-rise beachside apartment building comprising six three-bedroom residences and two two-level penthouses, both of which feature direct access to their own private rooftop areas.

The project is earmarked for a prime 810 sqm at 72-74 Albatross Avenue, Mermaid Beach, and is Sherpa Property Group&rsquo;s first in the area.

The three-bedroom residences will feature spacious floor plans that are further enhanced with their own private balconies, right in the heart of Mermaid Beach.

<a href="/buildings/perspective-on-albatross"><img alt="" height="783" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-01-20_at_10.58.31_am.png" width="1401" /></a>

Perspective Albatross residences range from 190 sqm to 310 sqm and are priced from $2.1 million.

Plans for the residences come hot on the heels of the sell-out of Sherpa&#39;s highly anticipated Perspective Nexus development in Palm Beach and the recent unveiling of its newly completed luxury residence in Bilinga, known as Perspective 202.

Sherpa&rsquo;s CEO, Christie Leet said the site had been selected due to its excellent beach access and proximity to the local shopping precinct, along with the tranquil and enviable lifestyle that Mermaid Beach exudes.

&ldquo;Mermaid Beach is one of the Gold Coast&rsquo;s most attractive communities, offering a unique lifestyle that makes it one of the most tightly held markets on the Coast,&rdquo; Leet said.

<a href="/buildings/perspective-on-albatross"><img alt="" height="787" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-01-20_at_10.58.23_am.png" width="1265" /></a>

The Perspective Albatross beachside residences are expected to appeal to the local owner-occupier market and are located just a stones&rsquo; throw away from Mermaid and Nobby beaches.

&ldquo;To us, Mermaid Beach has always been more than just a location, it&rsquo;s the lifestyle that draws you in and makes you feel like you never want to leave.&rdquo;

Designed by Cottee Parker, the residences have been influenced by the coastal surroundings, with a light and bright colour palette being implemented throughout, integrating touches of white and gold accents for a minimalist and contemporary design.

Also expected to launch in 2022 is Perspective Broadwater, just six apartments in Biggera Waters, and Perspective Nexus, Palm Beach, which is a 34 three-bedroom apartment development, across 14 levels.

Located on Albatross Avenue in Mermaid Beach, Perspective Albatross will be a bespoke low-rise beachside apartment building comprising six three-bedroom residences and two two-level penthouses.

Sherpa Property set for Mermaid Beach apartment development

Locals have descended on Melbourne developer Hirsch &amp;&nbsp;Faigen&#39;s latest Gold Coast apartment development, Yves, with the Mermaid Beach apartments netting over $80 million in sales in the first three weeks following the launch.

The $200 million development, located at 7-9 Mermaid Avenue on the doorstep of the Gold Coast&rsquo;s sought-after millionaire&rsquo;s row&nbsp;Hedges Avenue, is making waves with Brisbane and Gold Coast downsizers, who account for 70 per cent of the early sales.

First-home buyers are also in the mix, driving one of the most successful project launches on the Gold Coast in recent months.

Designed by Rothelowman and comprising 146 apartments across three towers, Yves brings to the market a mix of&nbsp;one, two and three-bedroom designs, in addition to the premium offerings of two four-bedroom half-floor sub-penthouses and a single full-floor penthouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186076]

&ldquo;The demand we&rsquo;ve experienced in recent weeks shows the market remains strong despite the latest Covid outbreaks,&rdquo; Hirsch&nbsp;&amp; Faigen&#39;s Sales Director&nbsp;Matt George said.

&ldquo;Yves is generating interest from a broad range of buyers looking for the lifestyle afforded by this exclusive pocket of Mermaid Beach, just a stroll away from Pacific Fair and the Broadbeach entertainment precinct. The Gold Coast is also still proving to be hugely popular with investors.&rdquo;

A Melbourne investor has been the most expensive buyer so far, spending nearly # million on a sub-penthouse. Negotiations are also underway on the other sub- penthouse with a price tag of $2.495 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186070]

Buyers from Sydney and Melbourne accounted for 20 per cent and 10 per cent of the recent sales.

&ldquo;Brisbane buyers are predominantly buying a second property while Gold Coast buyers are either downsizing or first-home buyers,&rdquo;&nbsp;George said.

&ldquo;Five of the eight one-bedroom apartments have sold to local first home buyers.&rdquo;

One-bedroom apartments are priced from $550,000, while Yves&rsquo; ultra-luxe offering, the penthouse, is on the market for $5.5 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186071]

The Yves penthouse is right at home alongside the luxury residences in nearby Hedges Avenue, offering 335 sqm of interior living space plus an additional 71 sqm of private external living.

The expansive full-floor sky home comprises four bedrooms, MPR, study, 4.5 bath, and three car spaces, while boasting a coveted north-east aspect over the Pacific Ocean and the Gold Coast city skyline.

Yves is the third project launched by Hirsch and Faigen on the Gold Coast in recent years and comes on the heels of the success of the group&rsquo;s Hemingway project at Palm Beach and Emerson at Kirra.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

Brisbane and Gold Coast downsizers accounted for 70 per cent of the early sales



Yves, Mermaid Beach apartment sales rocket on launch

Big Projects, the local Gold Coast development and construction firm, has lodged plans for a boutique complex on the Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach.

The six-storey development dubbed Cleo, at&nbsp;2265-2269 Gold Coast Highway in the heart of Nobbys thriving village precinct and near the new light rail, has been designed by Plus Architecture.

&quot;Cleo responds to the local context and climate, opening out to views across the coastline,&quot; Plus noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council.

&quot;The building form is articulated to soften the aesthetic and improve visual connectivity to the ocean.&quot;

The site complements and supports the Light Rail Stage 3 Business Case by providing a higher density development immediately adjacent the light rail corridor in immediate context to a commercial hub, being Nobby Beach.

<img alt="" height="825" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gc_highway_mermaid_beach_main.jpg" width="1200" />

There will be 35&nbsp;two and three-bedroom apartments, between six to eight apartments per floor.

The resident amenity is located on the rooftop, where there will be a pool with day beds, a private seating terrace, a gym, barbecue, and dining spaces.

It is protected from the Gold Coast highway / western sun through smart design yet engaging to the street. Cleo is an appropriate response to the growing neighborhood and demand to live within this popular location.

Big Projects, led by Matthew Barrett, has previously developed Zinc at Kirra Beach, 73 apartments completed in 2019.&nbsp;

"Cleo responds to the local context and climate, opening out to views across the coastline," Plus noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council.

Big Projects plan Cleo, Mermaid Beach apartments

Yves is the third Gold Coast apartment development by the Melbourne-based&nbsp;developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen in 2021.

For all three of their developments they&#39;ve had Rothelowman handle the design process, with Yves comprising a contemporary collection of three towers.

The $200 million Yves project will have 145 apartments across the three 26-level towers, which&nbsp;start from&nbsp;$540,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $740,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Rothelowman noted in their design statement that the design of&nbsp;Yves&nbsp;is a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

&quot;Embedding the coastal traditions of this place within high density apartment precincts is not by any means a straight forward task,&quot;&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;state.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186075]

&quot;Mermaid Avenue seeks to humbly direct this thinking towards an outcome that promotes liveability and simplicity. The unique &ldquo;wedge-shaped&rdquo; site results in a dynamic built form that has been subtly articulated through a series of intersections in form and incisions in the overall mass.

&quot;A layered approach to fa&ccedil;ade balancing glazing with masonry responds to climatic orientation, desire for views and outlook. A textural approach which balances reflectivity in glass with undulating precast patterned concrete will create a vibrancy through shadow and depth.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186081]

&quot;The low set podium is modestly scaled to engage with the neighbouring apartment buildings and continue the language of the street within the undercroft of the tower. Gardens prevail on all frontages ensuring a balanced relationship with the adjacent sites.

&quot;The narrow streetscape interface is relaxed with generous setbacks allowing for the establishment of a landscape focused forecourt between the lobby and the footpath.

&quot;Gardens are utilised to create a domestic tone, rich in coastal species, colour and textures.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186082]

Rothelowman noted the site presented a unique opportunity to create a transitional tower project at the junction between the intensity of cosmopolitan Broadbeach and the more traditional/ laidback vestiges that is well defined by places such as Mermaid Beach.

&quot;Between the sleepless Broadbeach &amp; gentrified Burleigh, Mermaid Beach captures the diminishing modesty&nbsp;of the Gold Coast,&quot; Rothelowman note in their design statement.

&quot;It is a microcosm with cafes, craft and culture. A community of locals and tourists relishing a more humble urban lifestyle than the north &amp; south.

&quot;A deliberate and direct attitude towards enhancing the way in which buildings can add to the narrative of life of the Gold Coast is important in ensuring an &ldquo;Architecture of Place&rdquo; can be developed.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186074]

&quot;A rich part of the evolution of the Gold Coast is the challenge and opportunity posed by the emergence of high density precincts amongst the well-established lower intensity beachside villages of the City. This is very much a product of the desirability of living in the emerging City and the rapid shift towards a more urbanised environment along the length of the Coast.&quot;

The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

Rothelowman noted in their design statement that the design of Yves is a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

A nod to coastal masonry walk ups: Rothelowman's design decisions behind the Mermaid Beach apartment development, Yves

Mermaid Beach is set for a rare new apartment development.

Yves, a contemporary collection of three towers, has launched just before the end of 2021, marking the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s&nbsp;third development the Gold Coast this year, after making their Queensland debut at the start of 2021.

The $200 million Yves project will have 145 apartments across the three 26-level towers, designed by Rothelowman, who have been Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s go-to architect on the Gold Coast.

Prices start from&nbsp;$520,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $740,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186082]

Daniel Faigen,&nbsp;who runs Hirsch &amp; Faigen with Richard Hirsch,&nbsp;said Mermaid Beach is still the&nbsp;best suburb on the Gold Coast, with the millionaire&#39;s row Hedges Avenue fronting&nbsp;the beach.

He said the&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;towers of this size fit the location better than the sites of their previous two developments.

&quot;With Mermaid Avenue we&#39;re getting back to some more affordability,&quot; Faigen told Urban, adding that there&#39;s a need for a more price pointed product.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186074]

Crowning Yves is the penthouse &ndash; spanning 335 sqm of internal space, plus an additional 71 sqm of private external living. It will have&nbsp;four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a multi-purpose room and a study.

The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186085]

&ldquo;We are delighted to be bringing a third Gold Coast project to market off the back of two consecutive successes on the southern coast,&quot; Hirsch added.

&ldquo;We have a fundamental belief in this prestigious pocket of the Gold Coast, and are excited to introduce our unique take on modern luxury to a market that is on the brink of exploding once the well-heeled interstate buyers make their way into the state.&rdquo;

Hirsch &amp; Faigen secured a sell-out of their first Gold Coast project, Hemingway, at Palm Beach, before&nbsp;heading to Kirra Beach where they are selling Emerson, a boutique tower of just 27 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

Yves, Mermaid Beach apartments launch

Despite the wave of interstate developers descending on the Gold Coast, it was a local developer who has snagged a prime site in the heart of Mermaid Beach.

James George, director of Highlife Homes,&nbsp;grabbed the keys&nbsp;to an 818&nbsp;sqm corner site at 2419 Gold Coast Highway, which currently has a&nbsp;block of eight renovated two-bedroom apartments.

George is now&nbsp;considering a luxury townhouse&nbsp;development by Highlife Homes.

The site comes with an expansive&nbsp;frontage down Hilda Street and is moments away from the picturesque beaches and acclaimed Hedges Avenue - the &#39;millionaires row&#39;.&nbsp; &nbsp;

GV Property Group&#39;s Luke&nbsp;Reaby, who brokered the $4.5 million deal alongside Antonio&nbsp;Mercuri, said they knew the site lent itself to a small builder/developer.&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="622" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mermaid_beach_2.jpg" width="1200" />

&quot;Mermaid is very much loved by locals due to the low rise characteristics and village feel,&quot; Reaby said.

Reaby said Mermaid Beach is the Gold Coast&#39;s version of&nbsp;Toorak and Double Bay.

&quot;It&#39;s the most expensive area for land on the Gold Coast,&quot; Reaby says.

&quot;While land is expensive, with&nbsp;beachfront properties constantly exceeding the $10m price bracket, you can see why a development that provides townhouses for under $2.5m would represent great value to locals and interstate travellers,&quot; Reaby added.

Highlife Homes&#39; has a pipeline across the Gold Coast which&nbsp;includes townhouse developments&nbsp;The Sol Project in Coolangatta,&nbsp;The Horizon Project in Burleigh Heads and The Sea Breeze Project in Palm Beach.

GV Property Group's Luke Reaby, who brokered the $4.5 million deal, said they knew the site lent itself to a small builder/developer

Local Gold Coast developer grabs Mermaid Beach development site

Mali Residences, Mermaid Beach features in Gold Coast Open House, this weekend, October 16.

Gold Coast Open House is an annual event unlocking the doors of interesting and architecturally significant buildings and locations across the city for all to explore for free.

The recently completed apartment project at 4-6 Alexandra Avenue, Mermaid Beach was undertaken by Dankav Developments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9088 project_image_fid=56808]

Mali Residences offered 55 contemporary residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations, with apartments priced from $435,000.

The 16th floor penthouse fetched $4,295,000.

Designed by BDA Architecture, the project features a striking façade, open-plan entertaining spaces and luxury amenities.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9088 project_image_fid=28703]

The space has been formed by a series of intertwined components – an open lobby, podium parking featuring a generous green foliage wall facing north, lower residential with five units per floor, a break in the built form to showcase an entire floor dedicated to lifestyle and recreational boasting views of the sand and the water along with upper residential of three units per floor.

Located on the ninth floor is a range of leisure facilities, including a resort-style pool, sauna, gym and residents’ lounge. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
With the easing of Stage 2 restrictions last Friday on the Gold Coast, the Open House opportunity has arisen.

GCOH bookings are required via eventbrite.

Mali Residences saw apartments priced from $435,000

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Mali Residences, Mermaid Beach featuring in Gold Coast Open House 2021

Following the launch of its boutique Kirra Beach apartment development The Emerson, the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen are on to their next project.

They&#39;ve lodged plans for their recently acquired 1,905 sqm Mermaid Beach site, 7-9 Mermaid Avenue&nbsp;at the northern end of Mermaid Beach,&nbsp;which was bought back in June.

H&amp;F, led by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has had&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;design Yves, which will comprise three&nbsp;25-level towers. They will home a total of&nbsp;145 apartments.

Following luxury developments at Palm Beach and Kirra Beach in Coolangatta, Hirsch &amp; Faigen have consciously gone for a more price appropriate product for the location.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186070]

&quot;With Mermaid Avenue we&#39;re getting back to some more affordability,&quot; Faigen told Urban, adding that there&#39;s a need for a more price pointed product.

&quot;We&#39;re not on the beach, nor are we trying to do three of four million dollars per apartment for this one.

&quot;The investor market is super strong on the Gold Coast, and Mermaid already has established amenity with restaurants, cafes of course the beach.&quot;

Faigen said Mermaid is still the&nbsp;best suburb on the Gold Coast, with the millionaire&#39;s row Hedges Avenue fronting&nbsp;the beach. He said the&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;towers of this size fit the location better than the sites of their previous two developments.

<img alt="" height="690" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirsch_faigen_mermaid_beach_3.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Rothelowman aimed for a suburban approach to arrival in the communal lobby, designed as a greenhouse. Image source: Rothelowman

It&#39;s the third time in a row Hirsch &amp; Faigen have had Rothelowman handle the design of the project.

The in demand architecture firm call Mermaid Beach the Gold Coast&#39;s last humble vestige.

&quot;We all know the Gold Coast has changed a lot in the last 60 years, and as more and more people escape the crowded &lsquo;southern cities&rsquo;, we anticipate she will change even more,&quot; Rothelowman advised in their design statement.

&quot;Between the sleepless Broadbeach &amp; gentrified Burleigh, Mermaid Beach captures the diminishing modesty&nbsp;of the Gold Coast. It is a microcosm with cafes, craft and culture. A community of locals and tourists relishing a more humble urban lifestyle than the north &amp; south.

&quot;A deliberate and direct attitude towards enhancing the way in which buildings can add to the narrative of life of the Gold Coast is important in ensuring an &ldquo;Architecture of Place&rdquo; can be developed.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186084]

They said the site presents&nbsp;a unique opportunity to create a transitional tower project at the junction between the intensity of cosmopolitan Broadbeach and the more traditional/ laidback vestiges that is well defined by places such as Mermaid Beach.

&quot;A rich part of the evolution of the Gold Coast is the challenge and opportunity posed by the emergence of high density precincts amongst the well-established lower intensity beachside villages of the City. This is very much a product of the desirability of living in the emerging City and the rapid shift towards a more urbanised environment along the length of the Coast.&quot;

There will be just eight one-bedroom apartments, which start from 60 sqm, across the towers, 101 two-bedroom apartments from 71 sqm and 30 three-bedroom units, which are upwards of 133 sqm in internal living space. The upper levels are reserved for three subpenthouses and three penthouses, the subpenthouse starting from 156 sqm and the penthouses from 287 sqm. The biggest apartment has 341 sqm of internal living area.

<img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirsch_faigen_mermaid_avenue_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Two of the three towers. Image source: Rothelowman.

The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which Rothelowman designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

The design is also a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

&quot;Embedding the coastal traditions of this place within high density apartment precincts is not by any means a straight forward task,&quot; Rothelowman state.

<img alt="" height="1679" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirsch_faigen_mermaid_4.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The lush, landscaped entry lobby. Source: Rothelowman

&quot;Mermaid Avenue seeks to humbly direct this thinking towards an outcome that promotes liveability and simplicity. The unique &ldquo;wedge-shaped&rdquo; site results in a dynamic built form that has been subtly articulated through a series of intersections in form and incisions in the overall mass. A layered approach to fa&ccedil;ade balancing glazing with masonry responds to climatic orientation, desire for views and outlook. A textural approach which balances reflectivity in glass with undulating precast patterned concrete will create a vibrancy through shadow and depth.

&quot;The low set podium is modestly scaled to engage with the neighbouring apartment buildings and continue the language of the street within the undercroft of the tower. Gardens prevail on all frontages ensuring a balanced relationship with the adjacent sites. The narrow streetscape interface is relaxed with generous setbacks allowing for the establishment of a landscape focused forecourt between the lobby and the footpath. Gardens are utilised to create a domestic tone, rich in coastal species, colour and textures.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186075]

Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently entered the Gold Coast market with their luxury Palm Beach development Hemingway, and followed it with their even more upmarket&nbsp;Kirra Beach, Coolangatta development The Emerson.

Also designed by Rothelowman, The Emerson, across 13 levels,&nbsp;has just 27 apartments, priced from $3 million.

The crowning jewel is the four bedroom, 430 sqm penthouse on level 13 with two living areas, a master suite with walk in wardrobe and ensuite with double shower and double vanity.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

H&F, led by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has had Rothelowman design three 25-level towers, which will home a total of 145 apartments.


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