Investor appetite for Queenstown apartments is strengthening as supply constraints and four-season tourism continue to underpin demand across the alpine region.

In Frankton’s masterplanned Remarkables Park precinct,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>’s 141-apartment Mountain Oak development is attracting repeat and yield-focused buyers seeking exposure to that market dynamic.

Brandon, who specifically targeted Queenstown as an investment location, said the combination of price point and limited new supply made Mountain Oak stand out.

“It is a quality product in a location that struggles to densify,” he said, referencing Queenstown’s land-locked geography and development limitations.

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/658d4f_48c3ec1ae5df4a2cab7d23c07c7f51b3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=27K8oQ4ExDN8Yu70VHDa9Olq59XU36m3" />

Having spent significant time in the region, Brandon pointed to its global reputation and consistent visitation as key fundamentals.

“Queenstown is a known destination from people all over the world. The place is land locked and there are issues building there. It’s also busy all year round.”

That four-season economy, driven by skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking, cycling and water-based tourism in summer, was also central to Sherry’s decision to invest.

“I believe the four-season tourism has major appeal as it would ensure that the property will not remain empty, unlike other areas in NZ,” she said.

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Living_WEB.jpg?VersionId=3LglY20Jp_MAzQYdvwODRWvtjL.cZcqI" />

Mountain Oak has been structured to respond to that sustained demand, with 365-day visitor accommodation consent underpinning a mix of one-bedroom, flexi, two-bedroom and dual-key configurations that can operate as either short-term visitor accommodation or long-term rental housing. Dual-key apartments comprise two self-contained residences on one title, allowing owners to generate dual income streams or occupy one side while leasing the other.&nbsp;

Under Safari Group’s optional visitor accommodation management model, owners receive 60 per cent of the annual income generated by their apartment, with 24/7 on-site management, guest services and listing exposure included. Independent appraisal modelling suggests gross yields of up to 15 per cent for certain two-bedroom configurations, based on estimated nightly rates and occupancy assumptions.

For Brandon, that flexibility aligned with his broader investment strategy.

“It helps to know that I can have it managed either way,” he said. “My focus is on purchasing high yield cashflow properties.”

<img alt="Investors back Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments as Queenstown’s four-season economy drives demand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c786ba7f-f974-4ce3-9833-1bcd9f2938d6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_ae3c049f388f4c13bf801649d91cbb4a~mv2%20%281%29.jpg?VersionId=J25uvzGdvtFaXGzuwz28ewJ9wWzbtvur" />

He selected a one-bedroom flexi configuration, citing both yield and adaptability.

“I work remotely and can travel to most places and work. I enjoy making spaces that work for the lifestyle that I live and it seems that others also enjoy it.”

Ranging from 54 to 57 square metres, the one-bedroom flexi incorporates a separate multipurpose room suited to a home office, additional storage, or accommodation for ski gear and seasonal equipment, an increasingly relevant inclusion for buyers balancing remote work and alpine travel.

Interiors feature underfloor heating in bathrooms and a heat pump in the main living area, supporting year-round comfort. Upper-level apartments are positioned to maximise natural light, with sliding windows and balustrades in select residences enhancing outlook and ventilation. Units are available in both light and dark interior schemes.

<img alt="Investors back Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments as Queenstown’s four-season economy drives demand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8f9492e9-8ee0-4aae-856c-8996ed9d9a06" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_7d066f5200024c1aa472d01e2dc776ed~mv2.jpg?VersionId=MLR5xn6fLqPdBi7vxyRT.1zhQX3Ln0Ev" />

Sherry, a repeat Safari Group buyer, said her previous experience with the developer provided confidence to secure another apartment.

“Their developments have always finished on time, the quality has been high, and I didn't feel that my investment may be at risk,” she said. “Knowledge of the developer and our two existing Safari apartments gave us the confidence to proceed with this one.”

Safari Group has delivered more than 2,000 hotel units and residential apartments nationally and is now undertaking its fifth Queenstown development, reinforcing buyer confidence in delivery capability.

Although Sherry was not initially targeting Queenstown due to its price profile, prior visits reshaped her view of the market.

“I absolutely love this region and believe it is a major tourist attraction, which led me to the decision to invest.”

<img alt="How Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Construction commenced in June 2025, with completion anticipated by mid-2027. Apartments are priced from NZ$639,000, and the development carries Overseas Investment Office exemption approval, allowing non-residents to purchase.

For both investors, the purchase represents a balance of income generation and long-term portfolio positioning in a tightly held alpine market.

“I firmly believe my investments in Safari developments are a combination of all these elements,” Sherry said. “The location of this project enabled me to diversify.”

As Queenstown continues to attract year-round visitation alongside constrained housing supply, Mountain Oak’s dual-key flexibility, optional on-site management structure and established developer track record are resonating with investors seeking exposure to the region’s resilient tourism economy.

Joel Robinson

Investors back Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments as Queenstown’s four-season economy drives demand

The Minns Labor Government is today unveiling a game-changing new precinct at Bays West – delivering up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes - directly above the new Bays West Metro Station currently under construction.

The landmark transformation will convert underutilised government-owned port land on the Harbour into Sydney’s newest suburb, while retaining important deep-water port facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

<img alt="Bays West" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f01d10-0b6b-49de-8033-d3ef2728cb6d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-04%20at%204.06.12%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=UA6_r._1jYROJ5tFNXMHqjNYLKYWIN.Y" />

Affordable housing will be embedded from the outset, including dedicated homes for essential workers such as nurses, teachers, paramedics, firefighters and police so they can live closer to the communities they serve.

The precinct will combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years.

Night-time entertainment and creative industries will be anchored by the revitalisation of the historic White Bay Power Station as a cultural and community destination, connected to the harbour across a new expansive public forecourt.

Planning of the area will prioritise connectivity, including active transport links to neighbouring communities such as Rozelle, Balmain and Glebe, improved pedestrian access to the waterfront, and connections to the CBD, including an active transport link across the Glebe Island Bridge.

The Government will lead a master planning process that will include an international design competition to guide development across the precinct, ensuring homes, essential infrastructure, jobs, public spaces and transport links are delivered together.

It will be led by a new delivery agency to be established over the coming weeks, which will report to Minister Kamper who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo. Once established, the publicly owned land in the precinct will be transferred to the new agency.

This is the first new suburb that has been built in inner Sydney in decades, it will see homes built alongside the Bays West Metro Station ensuring young people, families and downsizers are only minutes away from the CBD. As part of the transformation of the Bays West precinct, bulk port operations – including cement, gypsum and sugar handling – will cease on Glebe Island by no later than 2030.

<img alt="Glebe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46ef3c23-2ce1-4912-b8ba-5247de19d7b9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-04%20at%204.02.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=I5xKa7hLNlsueMsltA2dsYrRYtZCKvZz" />

The Government will work closely with industry to minimise impacts and ensure the continuity of supply. This includes a commitment of $270 million to improve road connections around the port at Port Kembla and to investigate increased rail freight capacity.

Working harbour operations across the precinct will be consolidated, mostly into White Bay, ensuring the precinct will continue to provide critical services for the harbour, including boat maintenance and marine construction and as a base for tug boats and for emergency services.

A new staging area will be established in White Bay, securing the future of the New Year’s Eve fireworks, Vivid and other major events for decades to come.

<img alt="Glebe island" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0554b153-b225-445b-a633-75aecea7dec9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-04%20at%204.06.17%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=P45ABy8KLuwjzVf04APWfeC4aOMA1Ngx" />

The cruise terminal will be retained in its current location, meaning tourists arriving in Sydney will be welcomed by the new precinct, with new shore-power facilities currently being installed that will reduce noise and emissions. The Sydney Heritage Fleet will also be offered new premises in White Bay.

Deep-water berths will be retained to preserve Sydney Harbour’s strategic operational capability, and the removal of the existing 1970s industrial silos, currently used as a billboard, as well as to store cement and sugar, will unlock new opportunities for public space and future housing.

“Right above a new metro station and minutes from the CBD, we’re delivering thousands of homes where people actually need them - close to work, close to services and close to transport,"&nbsp;Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said.

“Importantly, this precinct will include affordable and essential worker housing from day one, so nurses, teachers, paramedics and police can live closer to the communities they serve.

“We understand that not everyone will welcome change, but cities don’t stand still. If Sydney is going to remain a place young people and families can afford to live in, we have to use well-located land better and plan for the future.”

Glebe Island to accomodate 8,500 new homes near new Bays Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a> has unveiled its exclusive penthouse collection at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Amargo</a>, its new apartment development in Palm Beach.

There are just four penthouses as part of the collection, however only three remain for sale, with a Palm Beach local already snapping up one of the apartments prior to its launch.

&nbsp;

“We are thrilled to unveil the debut penthouses within the Flourish story,” said Christie Leet, founder of Sherpa Group.

“The penthouses epitomise unparalleled luxury and contemporary elegance, offering an exclusive experience in modern living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=362273]

Located at 6-12 Sixth Avenue, the penthouses will crown Amargo, which will rise 18 levels and offer a diverse product mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, attracting a wide demographic of buyers.&nbsp;

“Creating a multigenerational community is core for us at Sherpa," Leet added.

"Amargo embodies this ethos, welcoming first-home buyers, families and right-sizers alike – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=362271]

The penthouses, which range in price from just over $3 million to $4.6 million, each have three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and extensive balconies. Select penthouses will have&nbsp;dedicated media rooms. They have four-metre-high ceilings, Gaggenau appliances, and natural stone materials.

Flourish is crowned by an&nbsp;800 sqm rooftop retreat with a&nbsp;pool, pool deck cabanas and day beds, private outdoor barbecues and pizza oven, an internal private dining space, as well as a gym, yoga zones, steam rooms, and hot and cold magnesium pools.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=306037]

“We’re really excited about what we’re delivering here- Flourish is more than just apartments; it’s about creating a place where people feel truly at home,” Leet said.

Construction is already well underway on Amargo, with residents expected to move in by Q2 2027. The project is around 85 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146527]

A first look inside Flourish penthouse collection at Palm Beach

Builder-developer Urban Property Group (UPG) is continuing to expand into new markets. UPG is heading to the Hills District, where it is planning a 40-storey mixed use building near Castle Hill Metro Station.

They've gone down the favoured developer route of a State Significant Development Application, which should see developments approved within the space of nine months.

The tower will comprise 371 apartments, 42 of which will be affordable housing, above a ground-floor retail precinct at 16-20 Old Castle Hill Road, on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and within walking distance of Castle Hill Metro Station, an area identified for higher density under both local and state strategic planning frameworks.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc">Studio SC</a>, the tower would rise from a brick podium base, accommodating one retail tenancy and communal open space, before transitioning to a slender glazed residential form above. Six basement levels are proposed beneath the building to house parking and services.

<img alt="First Look: Urban Property unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill with 371 homes and affordable housing component" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08dc82f9-b826-4e18-8c60-4c90f7472317" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%20G%20%28b%29%20-%20Ground%20level%20render.jpg?VersionId=EOv1ly45k_Bc1F73C0hdwXSG4FVSTETt" />

“Castle Hill is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from a traditionally low-rise suburban centre into a true metropolitan destination anchored by the Sydney Metro Northwest," the Architectural Design Report prepared by Studio SC noted.

The majority of apartments (194) will be two-bedrooms. 90 one-bedroom apartments are planned, 83 three-beds, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Studio SC’s design adopts a podium-and-tower composition, with warm-toned masonry at the lower levels intended to anchor the building within its streetscape context.

"At the podium, the architecture is anchored through solid brickwork in warm, earthy tones, reflecting the local sandstone formations and the natural colour palette of the surrounding hills," Studio SC added.

Above, the tower transitions to a lighter glass expression, articulated with fins and tonal variation to reduce visual bulk and respond to changing light conditions.

<img alt="First Look: Urban Property unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill with 371 homes and affordable housing component" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f13cb2ee-ebfc-4204-9aba-e2dbd9e5d4bd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%20G%20%28a%29%20-%20Pool%20view.jpg?VersionId=Dnpusa.b5d6Nkx2clPlzWosDdh_1QW2V" />

Urban Property Group is one of Sydney's most active developers. They have projects currently under construction in Little Bay, Penrith, and Macquarie Park, with future projects earmarked for Wollongong.

Castle Hill has been one of the most popular suburbs for development across Sydney in the last five years, as developers scramble for land around the newly extended Sydney Metro.&nbsp;

Kassis Homes kicked it all off with Grand Reve, along with Deicorp who has delivered over 1,000 apartments in the area and continues to develop. The likes of Dubai-backed developer Arada will take to market their project in the coming months, while Masscon has just launched Avenue on Cadman Crescent.

First Look: Urban Property Group unveils 40-storey mixed-use tower in Castle Hill

One of the Gold Coast’s ‘bridesmaid suburbs’ is experiencing a wave of local suitors, with the latest sales figures from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> revealing over two thirds of buyers will be relocating from within a 5km average radius of the 16-hectare masterplan.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the figures underlined a powerful shift for Biggera Waters that would reshape it into a thriving force behind the region’s growth corridor.&nbsp;

“We’ve seen a huge wave of interest from residents of Arundel, Paradise Point and Runaway Bay who recognise the urban transformation that is well underway here and want to be part of it,” Long said.&nbsp;

“Interestingly, 25 per cent of our Gold Coast buyers are also coming from the city’s southern hotspots, including Burleigh and Palm Beach.&nbsp;

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/biggera-waters-qld-4216">Biggera Waters</a>, and Harbour Shores in particular, has all the advantages of waterfront living with the benefits of resort-style amenity, for greater value than the southern beachfront suburbs.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=290031]

Long said half of the purchasers at Harbour Shores were under the age of 55.&nbsp;

“When locals choose to stay local, it creates a genuine community, turning the most sustainable master planned community in the Gold Coast’s history into a diverse and vibrant ‘village of villages’.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=336743]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a> Gold Coast Sales Director David Higgins said the hyper-local market demand was unique to Harbour Shores when compared to other projects in the region.&nbsp;

“We are seeing as much as 60 per cent of new apartment sales on other projects go to interstate or international buyers, but Harbour Shores is bucking this trend and attracting a larger proportion of the local market,” Higgins said.&nbsp;

“Only 13 per cent of Harbour Shores’ existing purchasers are interstate. There has been a resounding endorsement from local buyers and that validates the project’s vision and investment in design, lifestyle and liveability.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=4579]

Harbour Shores is 16ha visionary masterplan dedicated to wellness and an active, healthy lifestyle. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, Harbour Shores embeds extensive green connections and more than 2.5km in pedestrian networks – including a 1.2km boardwalk along the water’s edge.

Harbour Shores was recently recognised by the BETTER FUTURE World Design Awards 2026 as a silver winner in the category of environmental sustainability. Boasting a 6 Star Green Star Communities V1.1 rating, Harbour Shores will deliver more than 2,000 homes over the next ten years.&nbsp;

The first stage will deliver three residential collections including luxury three and four-bedroom waterfront villas at The Residences, as well as apartments in The Waterline and Palm House, surrounded by resort-style amenities.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Biggera Waters no longer a 'bridesmaid suburb' as Gold Coast locals jump to Harbour Shores

Milieu Property

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Milieu Property's latest Brunswick residential project is looking to bolster the suburb's growing design-driven credentials in higher density living.

The area in and around Anstey Station, in particular, is establishing a reputation for high-end sustainable and community-driven design, with Milieu's Breese Street the latest project intent on becoming reality. DKO Architecture and Breathe Architecture have collaboratively designed the seven level project which Milieu notes as being their most community-centric to date.

So much so, design presentations took place last week with prospective residents, with the intent of refining the design further. 

This week's round of consultation follows on from a ‘Liveability Survey’ conducted for the project earlier in the year, facilitating the free exchange of ideas on all aspects of the building’s design. One outcome of the design symposium will see Breese Street limited to a maximum of five apartments per floor.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/180410_albion_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Breese Street rendered in situ. Image: Milieu Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="814" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/180410_albion_preview.jpeg?itok=0Dm8t-8N" title="Breese Street rendered in situ. Image: Milieu Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Breese Street rendered in situ. Image: Milieu Property</figcaption></figure>With sustainability high on Milieu's agenda, the design team has shadowed other developments in the Anstey precinct by incorporating a highly active rooftop area. Described as a “backyard in the sky”, the building’s rooftop will see a communal vegetable plot plus native plants selected by landscape design practice MALA.

The intent is to create a bionetwork capable of attracting and sustaining butterflies, birds and introduced animals such as frogs.

Rooftop aside, Breese Street is targeting a 7.5 Star Energy Rating, positioning it as one of Melbourne's most environmentally sustainable developments. No energy will be required to heat or cool the building due to the characteristics of the project's design, although a 30-kilowatt PV solar panel system will be incorporated across Breese Street's sloping roof.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/180409_b_rooftop_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Intended rooftop terrace. Image: Milieu Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/180409_b_rooftop_preview.jpeg?itok=BGpwQFLa" title="Intended rooftop terrace. Image: Milieu Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Intended rooftop terrace. Image: Milieu Property</figcaption></figure>Additional energy requirements for the development will come from 100% GreenPower purchased by the future owners’ corporation, which "utilises renewable energy sources, off-sets carbon and allows residents to access wholesale energy prices" according to Milieu. 
Further to this, the development is proposed to create or consume no fossil fuels.

Breese Street will join a trio of additional high density residential projects in the Anstey precinct that boast progressive design and sustainability credentials. Apartments.com.au has over recent years reported on <a href="/news/is-this-melbournes-best-new-residential-development">The Commons</a> which was a watershed development in the area. 
Directly opposite The Commons and a stone's thrown from Breese Street is <a href="/news/nightingales-initial-project-reaches-completion-as-more-in-the-series-begin-construction">Nightingale</a>, also the work of Breathe Architecture.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/180410_interior_living_00_preview.jpeg" rel="gallery-all" title="Interior space. Image: Milieu Property"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/180410_interior_living_00_preview.jpeg?itok=9punk4Xd" title="Interior space. Image: Milieu Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Interior space. Image: Milieu Property</figcaption></figure>The trio of developments along with the forthcoming Nightingale Village development further south on Breese Street has prompted Milieu to describe the Anstey precinct as "on the precipice of a housing revolution of international significance." 

Nightingale Village has previously been <a href="/news/nightingale-housing-plans-seven-buildings-across-brunswicks-duckett-street">covered</a> by Apartments.com.au, and will see the collaboration of seven architecture firms in designing multiple buildings that will adhere to the social, environmental and financial sustainability principles of the Nightingale model. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/nightingalevillagemap.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nightingale Village. Image: http://nightingalehousing.org"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="321" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nightingalevillagemap.jpg?itok=PjClHjF5" title="Nightingale Village. Image: http://nightingalehousing.org" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Nightingale Village. Image: nightingalehousing.org</figcaption></figure>
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silvermb

Emphasis on sustainable design for Milieu's latest in Brunswick

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Developer Milieu Property has stepped up in scale with their latest residential project.

Specialising in small scale developments to date with a slant toward progressive urban design, the firm has now taken 121 Lygon Street on the western side of Lygon Street to planning. Larger than the developer's previous projects, the development would be inserted into an evolving Lygon Street streetscape which over recent years has seen the completion of numerous apartment buildings.

Along for the ride is regular cohort Fieldwork who have created a design outcome very much in line with their signature look.

<h2>121 Lygon Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image81_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lygon Street hero perspective. Image: Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="513" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image81_0.jpg?itok=dj_If0G-" title="Lygon Street hero perspective. Image: Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lygon Street hero perspective. Image: Fieldwork</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 1,382 square metres</li>
	<li>Apartments to Lygon Street, townhouses to secondary Edward Street frontage</li>
	<li>56 dwellings: 5 x 1BR, 39 x 2BR, 4 x 3BR, 8 x TH</li>
	<li>Ground floor retail/cafe: 163 square metres</li>
	<li>3 basement levels: 71 vehicles and 76 private/visitor bicycle bays</li>
	<li>152 square metre rooftop terrace</li>
</ul>
<h2>Designing for Brunswick East</h2>

<blockquote>
119A - 121 Lygon Street proposes a bold, considered residential project which responds to the evolving context of East Brunswick. The design speaks to the site’s dual interface: the active, bustling and developing Lygon Street and the finer grain residential character of Edward Street.

Through formal articulation, a considered material palette and sensitive treatment of the ground floor interface, the proposal mediates these two conditions and that speaks to both future and existing contexts.

It sets a strong, contextually responsive precedent for future development of the area which positively embraces growth.
<cite>Fieldwork design report</cite>
</blockquote>

In a broader sense 121 Lygon Street is a continuation of Fieldwork's trademark look that has seen the firm shoot to prominence.

The townhouse component fronting Edward Street takes design cues, particularly in the brick work presentation, from other Fieldwork projects such as <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/projects/ruskin-st-elwood">Ruskin Street</a>, <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/projects/clyde-st">Clyde Street</a> and <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/projects/armadale-townhouses">Armadale</a>. The taller structure fronting Lygon Street is also typical of a mid-rise Fieldwork project.

In this regard 121 Lygon Street is straight out of the Fieldword playbook, and features vertically ribbed concrete panels akin to their other designs such as <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/projects/patch-apartments">Patch Apartments</a> and <a href="/developments/fitzroy-north-vic-3068">249 Queens Parade</a>.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image80_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Townhouses fronting Edward Street. Image: Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image80_3.jpg?itok=w74rlWCQ" title="Townhouses fronting Edward Street. Image: Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Townhouses fronting Edward Street. Image: Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>The Lygon Street application reinforces Milieu Property's liking for Melbourne's inner northern suburbs.

Of late all of the developer's pursuits have been confined to Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick and surrounding suburbs. On the tail end of Collingwood's Peel Street reaching completion, the developer's pipeline includes another Collingwood project dubbed Bedford By Milieu and Breese Street in Brunswick.

According to Milieu Property the latter project is a joint design effort between DKO Architecture and Breathe Architecture, and will include 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with a targeted 7.5-star sustainability rating outcome.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image79_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Previous Milieu and Fieldwork collaborations. Images: Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="272" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image79_7.jpg?itok=tuiKST0L" title="Previous Milieu and Fieldwork collaborations. Images: Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Previous Milieu and Fieldwork collaborations. Images: Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>
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Milieu Property moves on Lygon Street's established apartment strip

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It's a period of intense activity for Melbourne-based Milieu Property with the expanding developer recently notching a significant milestone as a string of boutique projects come to the fore.

Milieu Property has won its first international gong at the recent Asia Pacific Property Awards, taking out the Project Marketing category for the 5-Star award. The recognition relates to Peel by Milieu, the developer's sold out Collingwood apartment project that is currently in the early stages of construction.

The Asia Pacific Property Awards are judged by an independent panel of 70 industry experts, with judging focuses on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

An onsite display gallery bolstered by innovative print, online and outdoor advertising formed the backbone of the award-winning sales campaign with exhibitions also held within the onsite building which was heavily modified to create the display suite.

In a novel move, Milieu Property also created the 'Melbourne Milieu Broadsheet’, which had a print run of 20,000 copies and was distributed locally in order to garner awareness for both the development and display exhibitions.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image20_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Peel's construction is set to begin with site piling complete. Image: Milieu "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="268" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_3.jpg?itok=3mtUTWvK" title="Peel's construction is set to begin with site piling complete. Image: Milieu " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Peel's construction is set to begin with site piling complete. Image: Milieu</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Reflecting on the campaign from start to finish I could not be prouder of what we have achieved. We are honoured to have our Peel By Milieu marketing campaign recognised and awarded by our peers at the International Property Awards.
At the time, Peel was our biggest project to date and the campaign we created was the next phase for Milieu and a step toward larger scale projects, consequently special attention and care were a must and we set out to attract, engage and inspire our target market.
<cite>Michael McCormack, Director, Milieu Property</cite>
</blockquote>

Milieu Property are hoping to replicate the success of their Peel Street endeavour with their latest project to hit marketing: Nth FITZROY.

Designed by Fieldwork, the project will feature 26 apartments within a skinned building, with operable external louvres set to maintain a dynamic look over the exterior. Interiors for the project have been designed by Flack Studio, with double glazed windows and cross ventilation for each apartment.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image18_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of Nth FITZROY. Image: Milieu"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="320" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image18_7.jpg?itok=JrJF3hyT" title="Artist's impression of Nth FITZROY. Image: Milieu" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of Nth FITZROY. Image: Milieu</figcaption></figure>A display gallery at 3 York Street, Fitzroy North will hope to emulate the format of Milieu's Collingwood display suite. A pop up store and coffee outlet form part of the Nth FITZROY display, with the project's public launch slated for May 7.

Fieldwork have also designed Milieu Property's latest project at 2-8 Barry Street, Brunswick. With approval in place for a four level apartment building containing 36 apartments, Milieu Property have elected to pursue a more modest residential project of 21 dwellings within a four and five storey building.

Although Milieu Property expected the project to hit the market in mid 2016, the scheme is still with Moreland City Council with further assessment sought after the initial application advertising period.
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Milieu Property nabs an international award and launches Nth FITZROY

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Urban.com.au recently spoke with <a href="http://milieuproperty.com.au/">Milieu Property</a> co-founder and Director of Milieu Built (Milieu’s associated construction company) Michael McCormack about the company's ethos and values, their work and how Milieu was conceived.

The discussion with Michael began with his career post schooling as a carpenter; despite enjoying the trade wanted to become far more involved in the entire development process. He subsequently went back to study construction and it was during this time that he landed a position with Sinclair Brook, a project management firm that focuses on property development on behalf of large scale institutional clients, and which also supervised some of the larger scale projects in Melbourne.

Michael plied his trade there for seven years but came to realize that large scale projects weren't at his heart. Michael wanted to focus on something that he could relate to, such as the family home, something he believes everyone can relate to, and is of a scale that is far more relatable. Subsequently Michael shifted to BPM who are now much more of a large scale developer, but at the time were developing the types of projects that Michael and Milieu are currently pursuing - small scale apartment and townhouse projects.

<blockquote>
I realized pretty quickly that it was the scale that I wanted to work at - the scale that I live in and can relate to.
<cite>Michael McCormack</cite>
</blockquote>

Laurence Dragomir: Looking through Milieu's body of work, would it be fair to say that you develop a product that is geared more towards the owner-occupier market than say the investor?

Michael McCormack: 100%. Our target is myself, my friends, my family and when I say my family I mean my sisters. So I look at the established house prices in areas that I'd like to live in and appeal to me like Fitzroy, Carlton, North Fitzroy etc. and it's unaffordable for someone my age. I started thinking, well I can't afford an established home in that area, but I want to live in the area just not in an a large scale apartment building of say 200 apartments.

So what's the gap in the market? The gap in the market is something that I want to live in and how do I create it? That has been my focus, I suppose, since we started so that's very much why our developments are owner-occupier focused.

LD: Do you see in the foreseeable future an opportunity or desire to go up in scale, not so much high-rise but more an increase in density?

MM: Up until recently we have been doing smaller scale projects like 5 townhouses or 11 apartments for example, and we're about to launch a project in Collingwood called Peel, that is 35 apartments but again its focus is absolutely on occupiers. That has sort of been the mantra for the project - apartments to live in.

We looked at some of the apartment projects in the area and we noticed two things: there's kind of the larger scale apartment projects which are more geared towards investors and then there's a group of really nice apartment projects but they're often unaffordable. We've tried to pick the gap there and say let's focus this on owner occupiers whilst still creating apartments that are affordable.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/peel_by_milieu.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Peel by Milieu. "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="317" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/peel_by_milieu.jpg?itok=MpAvDuL4" title="Peel by Milieu. " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Peel by Milieu.</figcaption></figure>LD: You've worked previously with architects such as <a href="http://www.dko.com.au/">dKO</a> and <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/">Fieldwork</a>. What is your process in terms of engaging the architects you work with and picking the right architect for the right project?

MM: Initially we try and work with the same group of consultants, the same team consistently through our projects and we work with a select group of architects and dKO and Fieldwork are in that strand of architects. Cjoice of architect is based upon seeing whether the firm has similar ideals, aspirations and passions that we do for development. If you look at Fieldwork they've got a publication, Assemble Papers which is all about small footprint living.

Their interests in terms of development align very strongly with our own and that extends to design quality and design integrity - the guys we work with are unbelievable at what they do.

LD: I guess the hot topic at the moment in the industry is apartment standards, what is your take?

MM: It's a really interesting discussion and I think it really is an ongoing discussion. I know the guys from Assemble Papers are working on something in relation to it which I'm participating in and they're asking some interesting questions; not necessarily about asking people if they want a larger apartment because a lot of people will say yes, but they're asking would you be willing to sacrifice size for design. For instance would you rather a 45sqm well designed apartment over a 50sqm stock standard apartment? And I probably align with them on that.

I don't think you get the best outcome by prescribing a minimum apartment size. We respond to context and I think designers are very good at what they do; design is better if you do respond to context and the market rather than designing by a checked box which is unfortunately what SEPP 65 has done in Sydney. So you get apartment developments which respond to and meet all the requirements but aren't great.

What we do in inner Melbourne is try to unlock really small sites for appropriate development but often the requirements are so prescriptive that these sorts of sites cannot to be unlocked.

Ultimately I'm all for well designed apartments with quality amenity for the occupier and most of the principles the Better Apartments discussion paper talks about, but I don't think it needs to be so prescriptive.

LD: When are you looking at launching Peel? 

MM: We're going to launch it in early July. We've got a display suite on site and as part of that display suite we'll be running a series of exhibitions in a gallery within the space at the same time which is linked to <a href="http://milieuproperty.com.au/instagram">Melbourne Milieu</a> which we've launched on our website. We've sought to work with a group of photographers to catalogue Melbourne. It's not about our projects, you won't see our buildings or anything related to our projects.

Melbourne Milieu is more about hanging out in Melbourne and what inspires us. The photography exhibition is kind of an extension of that coupled with a Broadsheet publication that we're going to launch shortly.

Peel Street's a really important project for us and I think it's really the next step for us in terms of focusing on the occupier, but also moving towards trying to create something even more affordable than the work we've been doing up until now. What we have been doing to date is providing townhouses that are below an established house price but the reality is that not everyone can afford a townhouse so it's taking that next step to create apartment spaces that are very livable but are also attainable to people my age and younger.

LD: Thanks for your time Michael and looking forward to dropping in and checking out the Peel display suite.
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