Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="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/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

Retail

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A new 3,800 square metre dual-level Woolworths is headed for Southbank.

Melbourne Square will host the Woolworths as part of a larger 6,000 square metre retail zone that will feature shopping, dining and cafe facilities in a European-inspired, piazza-style setting. As Southbank’s first full-line supermarket, it will also go some way to alleviating the needs of the hundreds of new residents that move into the high-density suburb each year.

Stage One of Melbourne Square will also see a new public park spanning 3,700 square metres created, satisfying developer OSK Property's bid to have Melbourne Square become the benchmark development for amenity and services on Southbank.

When fully completed Melbourne Square will include approximately 15,000 square metres of retail, services, amenity and open space across its ground/podium levels. 

<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/img_7319_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The site as of this week"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="400" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_7319_0.jpg?itok=o5231Ixh" title="The site as of this week" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The site as of this week</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Southbank’s population is expected to exceed 50,000 by 2036, which is 174 per cent higher than the current population.

It is essential that the community is able to access basic everyday amenity so that the area’s expanding population can be adequately accommodated. We know Southbank residents have been waiting for a full-line supermarket in their local area and we are happy to be able to provide this much-needed amenity, along with other amenities for the community.

This is in line with our vision to create an integrated mixed-use lifestyle precinct for Melbourne Square residents and the Southbank community
<cite>Executive Chairman of Malaysian developer OSK Property, Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
We’re pleased that we’ll soon be able to offer local residents the convenience of a supermarket that will include all the usual features our customers have come to expect. From fresh fruit and vegetables to a large range of grocery items at great prices, those living in the area will be able to pick up all their shopping essentials, without needing to travel too far.
<cite>Woolworths’ State Property Manager Brad Karge</cite>
</blockquote>

<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/image240.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Phase One of Melbourne Square. Image: Planning &amp; Property Partners"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="793" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image240.jpg?itok=Iu3JKD79" title="Phase One of Melbourne Square. Image: Planning &amp; Property Partners" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Stage One of Melbourne Square. Image: Planning &amp; Property Partners</figcaption></figure>Builder Multiplex has an August 2020 scheduled completion date for Stage One of Melbourne Square; the new Woolworths will open at this point.

The retail component will sit below two residential towers of 54 levels and 69 levels respectively, which amount to 1,043 new residential apartments for Southbank. Multiplex have Stage One valued at $490 million.

Ultimately the Woolworths will cater for an altogether larger development with OSK Property holding a permit to create four additional towers. Another two residential towers are planned, with the taller reaching 73 levels; total apartment numbers across Melbourne Square are permitted at 2,160.

A commercial tower and hotel are also slated for the 5-acre, Cox Architecture-designed mixed-use development.
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silvermb

Southbank's largest development gains some retail clout

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The Melbourne food and beverage operator Beacon 88 has secured a five-year lease for its Albert Park premises.
It is a 160 sqm retail space on the ground floor of the residential complex at 88 Beaconsfield Parade.
Beacon 88 will open a high-end eatery leased at a net annual rent of $593 a square metre.
Knight Frank agent Paul Pellegrino brokered the deal for landlord, Pentas Property Investments.
<a href="http://88beaconsfield.com/vision" target="_blank">The building </a>was designed by Omiros One Architecture with a 4th floor lap pool and sun deck, overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline, and provide a space accessible to all residents to enjoy the Port Phillip Bay view.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Beacon 88 lease deal on Albert Park promenade

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In the ACT, the Leases (Commercial and Retail) Act generally applies to small commercial premises and premises being used for the sale of retail goods and services. However, the test for determining whether a tenant is offering retail services may not be as simple as you think. For example, it includes the provision of services to another business.
Who uses the goods or services?  When considering if goods and services provided by a tenant are retail rather than wholesale, the courts will consider who is using the goods and services. However, the question is not whether the consumer is the general public or another business. Instead the question is whether the consumer is the end user or the ultimate consumer of the goods and services.     For example, if the tenant is selling stationery to a business which uses the stationery, then the customer is the ultimate consumer and the sale of goods by the tenant is considered to be retail. If the tenant is selling stationery to a business which then sells the stationery in an unaltered state to a third party, the customer is not the ultimate consumer and the sale of the goods by the tenant is considered to be wholesale.     The same test is applied to services. For example in the recent case of IMCC Group (Australia) Pty Ltd v CB Cold Storage Pty Ltd [2017] VSCA 178, CB Cold Storage Pty Ltd (‘the Tenant’) operated a cool storage business using freezer warehouses and related facilities. The Tenant’s customers were usually companies in the food industry who paid a fee to store products such as dairy products, small goods, and seafood. The customers ranged from large primary production enterprises to small owner operated businesses.     IMCC Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (‘the Landlord’) argued that the customer was not the ultimate consumer as they would take the products from the cold storage, thaw them, cook them, and someone else would eat them. However, the court disagreed as the court was not deciding if the goods were retail but if the service was retail. The court found that the customers of the Tenant were the ultimate consumer of the services as the customers were not passing on the services in an unaltered state to a third party. Accordingly, the provision of the services by the Tenant was considered to be retail.     The court acknowledged that it may be difficult to contemplate circumstances where the provision of services is not retail. However, this does not change the decision.     Other examples  Some other examples of the use of premises which have been found to be ‘retail services’ are: 
<ul>
<li>pathology business </li>
<li>serviced apartments </li>
<li>function and conference centre </li>
<li>office and warehouse for logistic service and </li>
<li>a patent attorney office  </li>
</ul>
In all of these cases, it was found that the tenant was supplying a service to someone who is the ultimate consumer.     What are the implications?  If a tenant is using the premises for ‘retail services’ then in Victoria the Retail Leases Act 2003 may apply and in the ACT the Leases (Commercial and Retail) Act may apply.     In the CB Cold Storage case the Tenant used the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic) as the basis for successfully recovering land tax payments made to the Landlord.     Other implications of the relevant Act applying could be: 
<ul>
<li>tenants may be entitled to a minimum term of 5 years </li>
<li>landlords may not be able to recover outgoings </li>
<li>tenants may have a right of termination within the first 6 months of the lease </li>
<li>a rent review clause may be void </li>
<li>landlords may have broader repair obligations </li>
<li>tenants may be able to claim compensation for interferences with their occupation (including breakdowns in plant and equipment) and </li>
<li>implications for lease assignments, including the release of outgoing tenants in certain circumstances. </li>
</ul>
What should you do?  Landlords and tenants should consider the use of the premises and the services being provided by the tenant. It may be that, as in the CB Cold Storage case, the relevant Act applies to your lease of industrial or warehouse premises.     Meyer Vandenberg can be contacted here
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Are your leased ACT premises truly being used for retail services?

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The hamburger restaurant Milky Lane has agreed terms on a two-year lease with options at Parramatta in Sydney's west.
It is for the ground floor 385sq m retail space at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-parramatta-500849035" target="_blank">20 Macquarie Street</a>.
The agreed gross annual rent is $380 a square metre, with a 4.5 per cent annual rental review.
Khoury Partners' Jon Race handled the leasing negotiations.
With a complete update of both the lobby and common areas, 20-22 Macquarie Street occupies a central position, only metres to Parramatta Train Station Station and Bus Services. 
The tower provides six levels of B-Grade office accommodation. Retail opportunities included ground floor retail featuring full commercial kitchen and seating for 213 diners. 
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Milky Lane lease in Parramatta

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A Little Collins Street space in Melbourne’s CBD has attracted strong demand from a range of operators. 
Fitzroys agent Terence Yeh leased the 38 sqm Shop 3, 188 Little Collins Street to Little Temperance café on a 5+5-year deal at $90,000 per annum net, with 4% annual increases. 
Yeh said the typical rate for a similar space would be around $1,800 per sqm, but a rate of $2,368 per sqm was achieved. 
“More than 60 enquiries were received from hospitality, fashion and service retail operators, looking to capitalise on the CBD worker population and the rapidly growing residential catchment in central Melbourne,” he said. 
Yeh negotiated the deal on behalf of a private investor. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/2/26/P1160019.JPG" alt="">
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 Little Temperance cafe leases Little Collins Street space 

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GUEST OBSERVER
Customers are good at troubleshooting the small stuff and research shows when they come to customer service staff they expect complex problem solving, options or answers - not apologies.
My research used video recordings of interactions between airline staff and customers to analyse the behaviour of both the staff and the passengers. I examined the non-verbal cues of the airline staff in more than 100 interactions and found that when they made effusive apologies it actually diminished their ability to be effective problem solvers.
Businesses have been trying to be better at customer service since it was invented. But unfortunately it seems like they aren’t making much progress.
A 2017 study showed that 62 million families in the US are estimated to report at least one service problem a year. This left 56% customers in a “rage” or extremely upset.
According to the same study, only 25% of the customers were able to resolve the service problem in one contact with the company. In fact, 19% reported having to contact the company more than seven times to resolve the problem. Despite this, 80% of the customers remained unhappy even after the resolution.
Cost of ineffective problem solving is estimated at US$313 billion in sales for US businesses alone.
But below par customer service is not unique to US businesses. One Ernst-Young survey showed that Australian consumers fare no better. 56% experienced unacceptably poor service in a 12-month period and 57% of those who complained were very or fairly dissatisfied with the way the problem was resolved. Also, 47% upset customers posted their complaint on social media but in 75% of the cases, the company didn’t respond.
The loss to Australian businesses from these problems: A$720 for every negative customer experience, and A$40 billion per year.
How customers are changing
Over time, the nature of customer’s problems have changed with the internet and social media.
Now customers prefer to solve simple and typical problems on their own using online resources provided by companies. My research shows they increasingly reach out to companies with complex, unexpected and urgent problems.
Customers are also now connected to a community of consumers who actively vocalise and report their service problems on social media. This community are increasingly aware and confident about the what (outcomes) and how (process) of problem solving.
A 2017 market research survey of consumers in North America, found that consumers actively and increasingly use a range of self-service channels including FAQs (60%), online community forums (38%), online virtual agents (37%), mobile apps (35%) and chatbots (32%). Many of these options did not exist just a few years ago.
According to this same report, intelligent assistants like Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa will make it easier for customers to use self-service options.
Leading service organisations are developing and prototyping new artificial intelligence tools to respond to these trends. For instance, Vanguard, an investment advisor group, is piloting an artificial intelligence project to assist customer service staff answer questions and problems posed on inbound calls from customers.
Vanguard’s plan is to have customers engage directly with this bot and transition customer service staff to handle more complex activities.
What customer service providers should be doing
My research shows customer service staff should only empathise or apologise to customers in the first five to seven seconds before moving on to creative problem solving. We found customers view “small” talk in customer service interaction as a sign of ineffectiveness.
If customers are presented with options to solve their problem, my research shows, it gives them a sense of control over the difficult situation. In an experiment we conducted, customers were shown two scenarios, both of which were identical in nature. The problem involved a lost bag that contained materials and clothing for an important job interview.
The first scenario provided a single solution, while in the second scenario there were three reasonably comparable alternative solutions for the customer. At the end, the customer chose the same solution in both scenarios.
Our research found customers expressed greater satisfaction with the multiple choices of the second scenario. It’s the quality and quantity of the solutions given to customers that’s the crucial difference.
Yet in many companies, service agents are directed, trained and monitored only to connect with customers and make them feel comfortable. This training is intuitive, easier to script, amenable to supervisory monitoring and suitable for standardised training.
By contrast, creative and problem solving is not intuitive or easy to train. This is the challenge for service companies.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/91646/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">Businesses must forgo the easy route to customer problem solving and take a more counter intuitive approach. By overcoming this challenge, business could see substantial payoffs and stem the financial losses that spring from bad customer experiences.
Jagdip Singh, Professor of Marketing, Case Western Reserve University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/customer-service-staff-need-to-be-problem-solving-not-apologising-91646" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Customer service staff need to be problem solving, not apologising: Jagdip Singh

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The first stage of the $1.5 billion Ripley Town Centre has secured an array of new leases as construction of the $40 million project is well advanced.
The latest leases lift its occupancy to over 80 per cent in what will be a marketplace-style centre anchored by a Coles supermarket.
It will be supported by 20 specialty stores, a medical centre and commercial office space.
Ripley Town Centre has secured tenancies from liquor giant BWS, a bakery, newsagent, nail salon, hairdresser, massage centre and café.
The Victoria-based Quay Family Healthcare signed up for the major medical centre to operate on the site.
Other health and medical tenants secured include The Discount Chemist, dentist Dr Nauv Kashyap who is opening his eighth South East Queensland practice, and Ipswich veterinarian Andrew Hemming who is targeting a second surgery to complement his existing Flinders View Veterinary Surgery.
Construction of the 9000sqm first stage is now well advanced with the roof installed, glazing and shopfronts currently being installed.  
“We’re pleased with construction progress over the past year, and we’re thrilled to see the number of retailers and commercial businesses moving to capitalise on the potential of the regional town centre,” said Ripley Town Centre development manager Taku Hashimoto. 
The new regional hub will service up to 120,000 people expected to call the Ripley region home over the coming years.
Ripley Town Centre has implemented several sustainability initiatives to secure a 5 Star Green Star Design through the installation of 1800 individual solar panels, with the majority to be installed on the 360 vehicle carpark shade structures as part of the 480kW system that will help generate a sizable portion of the town centre’s power needs at peak times.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/13/RTC%202.jpg" alt="">
 
 
 
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Ripley Town Centre secures 80 percent occupancy well ahead of opening

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As mentioned during Episode 2 of the Apartments.com.au <a href="/guides/weekly-podcast-episode-2-development-by-tram-rmit-nas-and-leonard-teplin">podcast</a>, new images have emerged on the forum for The Walk Arcade redevelopment, located in the heart of the city in Bourke Street Mall and extending through to Little Collins Street.

This has coincided with <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://lodgement.planning-permits.delwp.vic.gov.au/public/detail/838">an application being submitted </a>to DELWP on the 9th February for "Alterations, additions (including partial demolition) to existing buildings for the purposes of retail premises, residential hotel and gym." 

<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/the_walk_arcade_street_view_bourke_street_mall.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The current condition of both Bourke Street Mall and Liittle Collins Street frontages. Images : GoogleMaps"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="264" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_walk_arcade_street_view_bourke_street_mall.jpg?itok=qt5mbHLD" title="The current condition of both Bourke Street Mall and Liittle Collins Street frontages. Images : GoogleMaps" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The current condition of both Bourke Street Mall and Liittle Collins Street frontages. Images: GoogleMaps</figcaption></figure>According to the <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/the-walk-arcade-owner-hua-sin-tay-plans-hotel-20171031-gzbmkb">AFR late last year</a>, the Singaporean owner has plans for a major overhaul of the well-known shopping mall that looks set to include a new hotel, replacing the existing red-brick warehouse which extends to Little Collins Street.

Without access to detailed plans, the extent of demolition of other heritage structures is not yet fully clear aside from the ground and first floors.

In preparation for the redevelopment, owner Hua Sin Tay - who paid $18 million for the Walk Arcade in 1993 - has signed up a series of pop-up stores to take over vacancies from departing tenants for 12 months through to Christmas of this year.

The 20 or so remaining tenants have leases with development clauses says the AFR article. It goes on to say that should development plans be approved, it is expected the arcade would be shut down completely to make way for the redevelopment.

<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/thewalkhotel.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Walk Hotel as seen from Little Collins Street. Image : "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="520" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/thewalkhotel.jpg?itok=wcYx8YWZ" title="The Walk Hotel as seen from Little Collins Street. Image : " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Walk Hotel as seen from Little Collins Street. </figcaption></figure>The design as indicated in the renders would replace an earlier scheme by Artisan Architects, with a focus on activating Union Lane with glazed shopfronts. Currently a narrow thoroughfare, Union Lane is characterized by its blank walls and roller doors covered in street art and tags. 

The only element of the Artisan Architects design is the entry canopies to Bourke Street which were installed as part of the first stage of works, almost five years ago. 

<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/artisan_architects_walk_arcade_canopies.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Entry canopies were installed along Bourke Street Mall as part of Stage 01 works. Image : Artisan Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="372" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/artisan_architects_walk_arcade_canopies.jpg?itok=8OvaWAP_" title="Entry canopies were installed along Bourke Street Mall as part of Stage 01 works. Image : Artisan Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Entry canopies were installed along Bourke Street Mall as part of Stage 01 works. Image: Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
Situated in the heart of the Melbourne CBD on the Bourke Street Mall, this project involves the refurbishment of seven existing buildings above the Walk Arcade and the construction of a new 10 storey building on Bourke Street. Once completed, the development will provide 466 new apartments and 1500 m2 of extra retail space in the mall.

The project presents a well-considered response to the difficulty of placing a residential complex in the heart of a commercial precinct. The new 10-storey building uses a vertical screen to provide visual privacy to the apartments as well as sun protection.

At the lower level, the screen is used as a backdrop to a full size photographic image of the building that occupied the space in the 1920's. At night time, the new building will become a lantern on Bourke Street Mall with the screen revealing the activities behind.

- Artisan Architects
</blockquote>

<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/artisan_architects_walk_arcade.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artisan Architects' unbuilt scheme for The Walk Arcade as seen from Bourke Street Mall. Image : Artisan Artchitects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="362" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/artisan_architects_walk_arcade.jpg?itok=NNaHbh_e" title="Artisan Architects' unbuilt scheme for The Walk Arcade as seen from Bourke Street Mall. Image : Artisan Artchitects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artisan Architects' unbuilt scheme for The Walk Arcade as seen from Bourke Street Mall. Image: Artisan Architects</figcaption></figure> 
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Laurence Dragomir

Updated designs for The Walk Arcade & Hotel revealed?

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A freehold retail investment that is securely leased has sold for nearly 30 percent over reserve at its auction.
The <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/42-mount-eliza-way-mount-eliza-vic-3930-2013962477" target="_blank">Mt Eliza Way property</a> attracted a crowd of over 60, with four bidders pushing the price to $970,000, some $220,000 over reserve.
It sold on a tight 2.9 percent yield.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/9/eliza2.jpg" alt="">
The 120 sqm open plan and self-contained property sits on a 147 sqm site with nearly five metres frontage to Mt Eliza Way.
It was sold subject to a three year lease to Master Hair &amp; Beauty at $31,930 per annum.
Teska Carson marketing agents George Takis and Luke Bissett marketed the property.
Takis said the sale was yet another example of the very strong market for strip retail assets despite some negative market commentary around retail sales and the potential impact of Amazon.
"There is a huge thirst for retail strip property and particularly in precincts that are well organised, that are backed by local governments, and that offer a contemporary tenancy mix that reflects current trends.
"In this particular instance we also had an asset that sits within an area that has been very popular with investors recently."
 
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Strong auction sees Mount Eliza retail sell for 30 percent over reserve

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A retail property in Melbourne’s St Kilda leased to popular restaurant and bar Mr Wolf, run by celebrity chef Karen Martini, has been listed.   
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-st+kilda-502602694" target="_blank">9 Inkerman Street</a> property comprises a large retail premises of 130 sqm and will be auctioned off on November 23 through Savills. 
The price expectations are at least $1.25 million,
The property is being marketed by Savills’ Clinton Baxter, Jesse Radisich and Mark Stafford.
Stafford said “we are expecting bidding of at least $1.25 million at auction, representing a compelling starting annual investment yield of 5% net.”
Baxter added that the property provides investors with a blue-chip investment within one of Melbourne’s most popular suburbs and one that is also securely leased to a well-established hospitality business. 
The restaurant, Mr Wolf, was established in 2004. The cooking show judge and author recently exercised the option for another five-year lease term that started in August, with two further five-year options to follow.
The rental is a conservative $63,000 per annum, with the tenant paying all usual outgoings, and there are fixed 3.5% annual rental increases.
Radisich expects the property to attract investors and self-managed superannuation funds wishing to secure a retail investment with guaranteed growth and a long history of strong trade.  
 
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