&nbsp;

Developer GURNER™ Group has revealed $1.65 billion in residential sales nationally across the 12 months to December 2025, driven largely by the continued momentum of its Docklands wellness-focused precinct, Elysium Fields.

The sales result was generated across seven projects in Victoria and New South Wales, headlined by Elysium Fields, GURNER™’s $2.75 billion mixed-use precinct planned for Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.

The project has recorded more than $500 million in sales across the first three towers, equating to around 580 apartments sold.

The first tower, Helios, has now sold out of its 240 private residences, with GURNER™ preparing to release a premium penthouse collection comprising 15 three-bedroom penthouses in coming weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370975]

Elysium Fields is being developed on the long-held 20,000 sqm Docklands site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, which had remained undeveloped for more than two decades prior to GURNER™ taking over the project around four years ago.

Construction has now commenced across four towers ranging between 18 and 30 storeys, with Hamilton Marino and Maxcon appointed as builders.

Once complete, the precinct is expected to comprise around 1,100 residences, alongside retail, hospitality and public realm uses integrated throughout the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370981]

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners in collaboration with GURNER™ Design House, the project has been positioned around the developer’s broader focus on wellness-led residential living.

“We don’t sell apartments. We create a true luxury lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market today,” Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner said.

“To deliver that requires an extraordinary level of detail, coordination and discipline across multiple verticals, from design and hospitality through to wellness and service.”

“We’ve always believed that living extends far beyond the physical residence. It’s about how you feel the moment you arrive, how you live day-to-day, and the ecosystem that supports that.” 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370977]

The project’s design places a heavy focus on landscaping, wellness amenities and biophilic design principles.

Plans include around 3,700 sqm of landscaped gardens and open space throughout the precinct, alongside a retail and dining offering spanning approximately 5,000 sqm.

The broader public realm strategy centres around what GURNER™ describes as the “Path of Life”, an urban forest and landscaped pedestrian environment intended to connect the various buildings and wellness spaces across the precinct.

The apartments themselves will incorporate a range of wellness-focused inclusions, including purified air and water systems, circadian lighting, antimicrobial surfaces, and optional in-home wellness upgrades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370980]

Gurner said the company’s experience through its Saint Haven wellness clubs had directly informed the residential offering now being incorporated into Elysium Fields.

“We’re seeing a clear global shift toward longevity, performance and proactive health,” Gurner said.

“Our role is to deliver that in a way that feels seamless, highly private and beautifully resolved within the environments we create.”

A large component of the wellness offering is planned through the resident amenity and health facilities proposed within the precinct.

That includes plans for bathing and recovery facilities spread throughout the towers, incorporating mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, flotation therapy, red light therapy and wellness lounges.

The developer is also seeking approvals for what it describes as a “reverse ageing medical clinic” within the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370978]

According to project information released by the group, the proposed facility would include cryotherapy, IV infusion therapy, infrared and dry saunas, PEMF beds, MRIs, DEXA scans, brain scans and blood analysis services.

Within the first tower, Helios, residents will also have access to a dedicated amenity offering known as the Sky Private Club.

The upper 15 levels of the building will include private lounges, dining spaces, rooftop amenities and optional private wellness studios integrated within residences.

The Helios tower itself comprises 260 apartments ranging between 60 sqm and 300 sqm, including a collection of penthouses.

That includes a planned two-storey penthouse spanning around 600 sqm with uninterrupted bay views.

The Elysium Fields precinct is being delivered in partnership with Digital Harbour Holdings, a consortium that includes the Liberman family, which controls the development rights across the Docklands site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370979]

The sales result comes as GURNER™ continues expanding its national development pipeline beyond Victoria.

“We have a strong pipeline across Australia and are now focused on scaling into key markets including New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build on our Melbourne base,” Gurner said.

“We currently have more than $3 billion in the market, growing to over $5 billion by October, and expect to materially outperform last year in the 2026 calendar year.”

The result also reflects the continued strength of the upper-end apartment market in Melbourne, particularly for owner-occupier-focused product with large-scale amenity and lifestyle offerings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144441]

Record result anchored by the Group’s “utopian” Elysium Fields precinct – defying market headwinds in Docklands.

Joel Robinson

Elysium Fields drive Gurner to $1.65 billion in apartment sales over 2025

National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more internation and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-5" data-turn="user" data-turn-id="e65dbe94-e3b6-47f7-b62a-9cbb30c9bf79" data-turn-id-container="e65dbe94-e3b6-47f7-b62a-9cbb30c9bf79" dir="auto">Time &amp; Place’s plans to transform the former David Jones factory building in Surry Hills into a mixed-use residential precinct have gone on exhibition through the NSW Government’s In-fill Affordable Housing pathway.</section>

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:f4d533b7-64a5-413d-86fd-5c99649c2b73-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:f4d533b7-64a5-413d-86fd-5c99649c2b73-2" dir="auto">
The Marlborough House proposal, lodged for the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marlborough-house-47-97-marlborough-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">47-97 Marlborough Street</a> site, would see the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed warehouse building alongside the construction of new residential additions and a separate apartment building on the northern portion of the site.

The proposal seeks approval for 172 apartments across three buildings, including 15 per cent affordable housing managed by a community housing provider for at least 15 years from occupation.

<img alt="Marlborough" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d1d3c2a-bf13-47d6-a335-7c01102cdee1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cjMYrbR.BLUlWH4dar0RVDDo0bG.u2YT" />

Interior view from the Northern Building Penthouse overlooking the park

&nbsp;

The redevelopment is planned for the prominent 3,413 sqm site bounded by Marlborough Street, Goodlet Street and Lansdowne Street, directly opposite Eddie Ward Park and around 200 metres from the Surry Hills light rail stop.

Time &amp; Place acquired the former David Jones building in 2024, marking the first time the property had changed hands in around 50 years.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal centres around the adaptive reuse of the former David Jones factory, originally constructed between 1913 and 1935 in the Inter-War Chicagoesque architectural style.

Wardle noted in its Architectural Design Report that the building “occupies a significant place in the industrial and cultural history of Surry Hills” and at its peak was “the largest department store manufacturing facility in Australia, employing over 800 people and fuelling the growth of Sydney’s fashion and retail industries.”

The practice said the project positions itself “not as an isolated intervention, but as a contributor to the civic, social, and architectural grain of the precinct.”

The proposal would deliver 75 apartments within the retained southern heritage building, 59 apartments within the central addition, and a further 38 apartments within the new northern building fronting Lansdowne Street.

Planning documents show the scheme would comprise a mix of heritage apartments, new-build apartments, townhouses and penthouses.

<img alt="Marlborough" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57758518-40a3-4b83-958c-d06e96a2cffa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.42%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VerlX9ST5xgBi8.1_YRsqdWTJeT6ygjs" />Interior View of the Heritage Building Apartment

The development would also include a ground-floor retail tenancy on the corner of Marlborough and Lansdowne streets, rooftop communal open space, a landscaped pedestrian link along the western edge of the site, and basement parking accessed from Lansdowne Street via a car stacker system.

&nbsp;

The scheme emerged from a competitive design process run by Urbis, with Wardle ultimately selected as the winning architect ahead of FJC Studio, TZG, Architectus and Wilkinson Eyre.

The Design Integrity Panel later described several aspects of the Wardle scheme as fundamental to the project, including “the stepped character of the new addition to the north of the site”, the landscaped western pedestrian link, and the “garden arrival” experience separating the original Marlborough House from the heritage addition.

Wardle’s design heavily references the site’s industrial and heritage history, while also responding to the surrounding Surry Hills streetscape.

The Architectural Design Report describes Surry Hills as “a finely grained neighbourhood with beautiful and expressive brickworks throughout the suburb,” with the proposal introducing a material palette intended to sit comfortably alongside the existing warehouse fabric and neighbouring terraces.

The report also outlines the project’s relationship with Eddie Ward Park and the broader landscape context of the area.

“Marlborough House occupies a site of deep cultural memory and the neighbouring Eddie Ward Park is of local ecological significance, where natural systems, topography, and stories have long shaped human experience,” Wardle noted in the report.

The architects said the proposal sought to “rebind built form to Country” through landscape, materiality and the adaptive reuse of the heritage structure.

<img alt="Marlborough House" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ae3f2f9-c85f-477a-a6f8-b43f6cb97c41" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=B.qUCLqRvJOR.n9CvYcTpaknIX9LuqKZ" />

The project is also being progressed under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions, allowing developments that include affordable housing to access additional height and floor space incentives.

Under the plans, 2,593 sqm of the project’s floor space would be dedicated to affordable housing, slightly exceeding the required 15 per cent threshold.

In its Design Excellence Strategy, Urbis said the project aimed to “sensitively adapt and enhance the heritage-listed building on site through alterations and additions that preserve its historical significance” while delivering “high-quality market and infill affordable housing development in Surry Hills.”

Time &amp; Place has been one of the most active developers nationally in the last 12 to 24 months. Late last year they completed&nbsp;The Queensbridge in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>, a mixed-use tower with 353 apartments and a hotel. They are currently selling Park Modern, 246 apartments near the famous Botanic Gardens in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a>, and have future projects, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-wilmot-173-burke-road-28-hope-street-glen-iris-vic-3146">The Wilmot</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>, the redevelopment of the Northcote Plaza, and another tower in South Melbourne.

The developer broke into Sydney just a few years ago with Two Tides in Manly. They have another project nearby, which is at the ultra-luxury end of the market on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/shoreline-manly-beach-89-90-north-steyne-manly">North Steyne</a>, fronting the beach.

It is also continuing to work through the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-time-place-settles-on-design-for-the-chimes-potts-point-redevelopment">redevelopment of The Chimes building</a> on Macleay Street in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/potts-point-nsw-2011">Potts Point</a>, as well as a project on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/time-place-to-take-on-mosman-apartment-market">Mosman's Redan Street</a>.
</section>

First look: Time & Place unveils Marlborough House redevelopment designs for former David Jones warehouse in Surry Hills

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Savills

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Australia remains the third most popular country for international students, as the overseas student population continues to increase in both universities and other education sectors, says a recent Savills report.
Australia has a strong reliance on international students from a number of South East Asian countries, it says.
China (28%), India (11%), Republic of Korea (4%), Thailand (4%) and Vietnam (4%) are the top five countries of origin for international students studying in Australia, according to The Australian Student Accommodation Market Report by Savills.
The latest demographic information available indicates that international student growth is stronger as evidenced by enrolments in higher education courses with student visas growing by 11% from 2015 to 2016. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/29/StudentNationalities.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/29/StudentNationalities.png" alt="">
In 2016, the strongest growth in international student numbers in Australia came from Brazil (20%), Malaysia (18%), Nepal (16%), Hong Kong (10%) and Colombia (22%).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/29/StudentNationalities.png">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/29/StudenEnrolments.png" alt="">
According to the report, universities across Australia also continue to be significant participants within the market, with 71,645 beds of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in the eight Australian capital cities. The existing supply in each city is less than 11% of the full-time student population with the exception of Canberra (28%).
Over the first three quarters of 2017, consistent with market activity throughout 2016, the key focus for the major developers in this sector has been the continued acquisition of sites and the construction and delivery of new Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).
“In Sydney, the University of Sydney, UNSW and Macquarie University are currently active in improving / extending existing residential portfolios,” said Conal Newland, director of Student Accommodation at Savills Australia.
“The University of Melbourne has been active with a number of projects in the last 12 months as have Deakin and Monash Universities. In Brisbane, the University of Queensland and QUT have also considered new projects.”
Newland added that there were only two institutional off-campus transactions in Australia in the first three quarters of 2017, though it was consistent with transaction volumes over the last five years. 
In contrast, the more mature markets in the United States and the UK have been at near record volumes, he said.
Net initial yields in Australia have remained relatively static over the last 12 months, primarily due to the limited number of transactions.
Australia’s student population continues to grow at a steady rate, with total student enrolments increasing by 2.7% from 2014 to 2015, a rise of 36,903 students. 
International student numbers increased by just less than 4.5% in 2015. All of this growth is attributed to full-time international students which increased by almost 5.5%. Part-time international student numbers fell by 0.8% in 2015.
Among the states, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland showed the greatest number of student enrolments. Victoria achieving the largest increase in enrolment numbers year on year, with an increase of 4.4% compared to 2014. Of all the states, Tasmania saw the largest increase of 9.9% growth in 2015 with multi-state higher education providers increasing by 6.7%.
“The number of international students enrolled in Higher Education courses and utilising study visas in Australia has grown by 10.9% from 2015 to 2016, a marginally higher increase than the year previous” he said.
There were 554,179 international students studying on a student visa in Australia in 2016 which represents an 11.3% increase over 2015 figures (498,155 student visas). The top five nationalities are China, India, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. China is the largest international student country of origin which contributed over 27% of the total number of international students in Australia in 2016. The country with the highest percentage of growth is Columbia with growth rate of 22.4% from 2015 to 2016.
Sydney is biggest drawcard for investment into the student accommodation sector. The significant supply and demand imbalance, world class universities and status as a global city are contributing factors, according to the Savills report. The total development pipeline in Sydney has increased from 3,665 beds in 2016 to 5,435 beds in 2017.
In Melbourne, the pipeline for delivery of new student accommodation has increased significantly in the last 12 months. 
Savills 2016 research indicated a total pipeline of 9,651 beds, which has increased to 16,295 beds in 2017. This has been driven by the availability of development sites and the University of Melbourne's 2020 strategy to increase the pipeline of student accommodation bedrooms to 6,000.
After a period of two years when the PBSA development pipeline in Brisbane increased significantly, the activity has slowed in the first three quarters of 2017. There was a minor acceleration towards 30 June 2017, the date that Brisbane City Council’s infrastructure levy reductions ceased, and these projects must commence construction by the end of October 2017 to receive the concession. Analysis indicates that the total combined PBSA pipeline has increased from 8,930 beds in 2016 to 10,682 in 2017.
The development pipeline in Adelaide has grown to 2,159 in 2017 from 1,480 in 2016. In 2018, three projects are programmed for delivery including developments by Blue Sky, Kyren Group and Urbanest. In 2019 a further 380 beds are programmed for delivery.
There has been significant interest in the Perth student accommodation market in the last 12 months. The total development pipeline has increased to 3,621 beds from 2,000 in early 2016. This includes projects being promoted by Stirling Capital and Cedar Pacific. The development pipeline also incorporates the first stage of the Curtin University procurement – a mixed use project incorporating student accommodation.
It is clear when comparing both the existing supply and development pipeline across the major Australian capital cities, with the comparative cities in the UK that in general Australia has a much lower base of supply.
However, according to Rachel Coates, associate director of Student Accommodation at Savills Australia, one critical difference between the Australian and UK market is the propensity of domestic students in the UK to move away from home for university education – and therefore demanding PBSA.
“Australian domestic students are much more likely to live at their parent’s home while studying at university. Cultural drivers and specialisation of course offerings from UK universities has led to much higher rates of students leaving home and travelling to attend university studies,” she said.
It is interesting to note that the record level of UK transactions contributed to global student accommodation investment of over USD $14 billion in 2015. The US market also achieved record levels of USD $5.5 billion for the year and Western Europe USD $2 billion, again a record.
“The US and Western Europe continued to break records in 2016, with the UK having a slower year transaction wise, before being projected to reach close to 2015 levels in 2017. Sales activity in the first quarter of 2017 has been somewhat more subdued with a total of USD $1.95 billion of transactions,” Coates said.
“Analysis of recent transactional activity within the UK demonstrates how the Australian transaction market is still at an early stage, both in terms of the volume of stock that has been traded analysed in terms of the number of beds, and the total value of transactions. There is a substantial amount of trading in the UK forecast for the fourth quarter of 2017, indicating that transaction volumes could total close to £5 billion for the year.”
Coates went on to say that political reform of the Australian Higher Education Sector remains on the agenda, as continued government funding of the Australian university sector seems less likely, and competition between universities is set to increase.
“Savills expect that the provision of high quality purpose built accommodation will become an important consideration for a number of Australian universities. The levels of development activity among universities is already increasing,” she said.
“Sydney will continue to be the most attractive, but the most difficult market to access. Despite a rapid rise in the number of projects over the last 12 months, Melbourne continues to attract a number of new pipeline projects.” 
Debt funding for new development led projects has affected a number of property asset classes through the first three quarters of 2017, including student accommodation. Accessing debt finance for new projects is anticipated to remain challenging.
Record numbers of investors are looking to access the Australian student accommodation market. However, whether development led or investment led, opportunities are at this stage limited.
“Looking to the start of 2018, the delivery of new pipeline accommodation, particularly in Melbourne and Brisbane is going to be closely watched by market participants and observers in terms of the occupancy uptake and stabilisation of new assets, particularly towards the top end of the rental price range. And accessing debt finance for new projects is anticipated to remain challenging.
“Savills anticipate at least one new developer entering the market either late 2017 or early 2018. We also see an opportunity for more competition in the independent third party management of student accommodation” said Newland.
 
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Australia third most popular country for overseas students: Savills 

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A development site with approval for nearly 100 apartments in Sydney’s North Shore has been listed for sale through Savills.
The site at 2-8 Pymble Avenue and 2-4 Everton Street, Pymble comes with Development Approval for residential located within one of Sydney’s prestigious north shore suburbs.
According to Savills, the influx of residential development sites for sale throughout Sydney has surged in the past 12 months, but the Pymble site with 7,879 sqm area already comes in with all the approvals. 
This site currently encompasses a consolidated single registered title of land containing three existing detached single and double storey dwellings. 
The property is zoned R4 High Density Residential under the Ku-Ring-Gai LEP 2012 with a height limit ranging between 11.5 and 17.5 metres and a blended FSR of 1:1.
The site is DA approved for the construction of 98 oversized residential apartments and 1 x 100sq m ground floor neighbourhood shop together with basement parking for 156 vehicles. 
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The DA Approved Gross Floor Area is 8,547sqm* and the site is perfectly positioned at the top of a ridge to capitalise on the views back towards the Sydney CBD and the Blue Mountains.
It is close to public transport. 
The marketing is being done by Neil Cooke, Stuart Cox and Johnathon Broome of Savills Australia.
“In 2017, the amount of DA approved sites for circa 100 apartments has completely dried up particularly in blue chip areas such as Pymble on Sydney’s North Shore,” said Neil Cooke.
He added that the Draft Construction Certificate has already been issued for the site, and it states that all Pre-CC Conditions of Consent have been satisfied, and confirms that only the payment of the standard contributions is required in order for the Construction Certificate to be immediately finalised.
Cox added that there was “excellent continuing demand for premium residential apartments” in this location as evidenced by the success of recent project campaigns released within Pymble and surrounding suburbs.  
The site is being offered through expressions of interest with the EOI closing on October 19.
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Site with apartment approvals in Sydney’s North Shore listed: Savills

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“With office vacancy rates in Perth still above 20 percent and conditions continuing to favor tenants, proactive landlords have been completing speculative fit-outs or redecorating existing fit-outs in order to present a more attractive offering to tenants. This trend is likely to continue.” – James Phelan, Associate, Office Leasing 
Pro-active landlords are now completing speculative fit-outs or redecorating existing fit-outs as the competition for tenants intensifies with Perth’s office vacancy rate still hovering above twenty percent.
According to Savills Associate, Office Leasing, James Phelan, landlords are under increasing pressure to present their office assets in ready-to-use form, a trend which could see owners using display suites in much the same way that developers use them to present their apartments to the market.
“Tenants have shown a preference for brand new, fitted, ‘plug n play’ type office space and recent activity suggests savvy landlords are achieving increasing inspection numbers resulting in reduced letting up periods, earlier income returns, and higher face rents when this sort of product is offered to the market. 
“Over the next few years there is the distinct possibility that we are going to see owners creating display suites in order to demonstrate the quality of their asset and the point of difference with their competitors,” he said. 
Ready to use fit-outs a win-win 
Mr Phelan said ready to use fit-outs were a win-win for landlords as they also offered tenants a smoother and less complicated transition into new office accommodation.
“The primary driver for this strategy relates to achieving cost efficiencies. That is, if an existing fit-out can work for a new tenant then they can take the majority of any incentive offered in the form of rent abatement, rather than as a cash contribution to build a new fit-out.
“By not having to allocate their incentive to fit-out costs, tenants can reduce their effective rental costs which makes it easier and more compelling for them to consider a relocation,’’ Mr Phelan said.
He said generic fit-outs with open-plan working environments that could accommodate a variety of industry groups and with the flexibility for tenants to make modifications, were strategically the preference for a speculative fit-out.
“This strategy is particularly prevalent for smaller tenancies from 200-350 square metres, however larger deals have transacted also, as evidenced by Resolute Mining taking 1200 square metres of speculative fit-out at Australia Place, 12-14 William Street, in April.” Mr Phelan said.
He said, anecdotally, the most common enquiry size for tenants looking for CBD space was 150 to 350 square metres.
“Owners that can have ready-to-go, ‘plug n play’ redecorated or fitted out tenancies will be well placed to tap into this enquiry, entice tenants to relocate and subsequently secure new leasing transactions,” Mr Phelan said.
Perth fit-outs completed in 2017 on the back of a speculative fit-out or redecoration of an existing fit-out include: 
 
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James Phelan is an Associate in the Savills Perth <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/leasing/office-leasing.aspx" target="_blank">Office Leasing</a> team. Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="https://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
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Landlords create speculative fit-outs as rivalry for tenants intensifies: Savills

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Sydney’s inner suburb of Pyrmont has transitioned into a stylish suburb from a habourside industrial hub, and it will only expected to benefit from the growing population, says Savills.
Pyrmont’s transformation over the last few decades is interesting. As industry moved out, the area declined and by 1991 had just 530 residential dwellings. However, several government initiatives later, redevelopment has picked up.
The number of residential dwellings has increased by a multiple of 12 and Pyrmont is now one of the densest suburbs in Australia, say Savills in their latest residential spotlight, authored by Sophie Chick.
However, the rate of development has slowed over the past decade with residential stock in the suburb increasing by just 9.1 percent over the decade to 2016. 
The redevelopment of the current site of the Sydney Fish Market, which is earmarked for residential development, is expected to change the site into a prestigious residential destination. 
The median price for an apartment in Pyrmont is $1.05 million, slightly higher than the neighbouring suburbs of Sydney, Glebe and Ultimo but lower than those in Rozelle and Balmain. 
By contrast, the median house price at $1.57 million is lower than all neighbouring suburbs with the exception of Ultimo due to the nature and size of stock selling. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/12/Pyrmont1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/12/Pyrmont1.png" alt="">
Property prices in Pyrmont have experienced strong growth over the past decade. The median value of houses has nearly doubled over that period while the median apartment price has increased by 120 percent. More recently, the rate of growth has slowed with median values rising by 7.5 percent and 7.1 percent over the year to June 2017 for apartments and houses respectively. 
The median weekly rental value in the area in June 2017 was $840 for a house and $810 for an apartment, equating to average yields of 2.8 percent and 4.0 percent respectively, notes Savills. 
The proportion of private renters in Pyrmont is significantly higher than average accounting for 48 percent of the population compared to 28 percent across Sydney. Due to this high demand and lack of new supply in the area, the vacancy rate has remained consistently low over the past couple of years. In June 2017, the residential vacancy rate stood at 1.2 percent compared to an average of 2.1 percent across Greater Sydney. 
Pyrmont is popular with young professionals. The largest household types are couples without children and lone persons, which account for 57 percent of the population compared to 43 percent across Great Sydney. 
Correspondingly, there is a significantly higher proportion of the population aged between 25 and 34. Employment opportunities are a key reason people are drawn to live an area. Pyrmont is just a short walk away from the CBD, driving demand in the area from white-collared workers.  
The largest employment industries for people living in area are the Professional, Scientific and Tech sector and the Financial and Insurance sector accounting for 18 percent and 15 percent of employees respectively, significantly higher than the Sydney average.  
Pyrmont has a multicultural community with 51 percent of residents born overseas compared to 37 percent across Greater Sydney. Chinese dominate Pyrmont, accounting for seven percent of residents, followed by the United Kingdom and South Korea with six percent and four percent of residents respectively. As such, many international buyers are attracted to the area, providing an important source of demand for the housing market as both owner-occupiers and investors. 
As Sydney’s population continues to increase, interest rates remain low and infrastructure projects near completion, the long-term prospect for Pyrmont remain sound, according to Savills. 
Additionally, the transformation of the Bays Precinct is expected to improve the quality of life for existing residents and attract new buyers to the area in spite of the challenges of affordability and a slowing of the property market in Sydney. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/12/Pyrmont2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Pyrmont has transitioned into suburb of choice: Savills 

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Sydney’s Inner West suburb of Leichhardt boasts a tight residential vacancy rate of 1.6 percent compared to 2 percent across Greater Sydney, driven by the high demand and lack of new supply, according to Savills.
The area is close to the CBD, has good transport links, good schools and plenty of parks and amenities. 
Historically, there has been little development activity across the suburb. Over the past 15 years, the number of residential dwellings in Leichhardt has increased by just four percent, according to Savills. 
However, recent rezoning and the ‘Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy’ means all that is about to change. 
Residential building approvals have increased by 120 percent over the two years to the 2015-16 financial year. 
Interestingly, just five percent of these are detached houses, while the majority are townhouses and low rise apartment blocks.
The suburb has seen a 115 percent increase in residential property prices over the past decade, according to Sophie Chick, head of Residential Research at Savills and author of the Spotlight Residential Property Report on Leichhardt.
“The median value of a residential property in Leichhardt in July 2017 was $1,567,000 and $986,000 for a house and apartment respectively,” said Chick.
“Houses are a similar price to the neighbouring suburbs of Petersham and Lewisham to the south, around 10 percent cheaper than Stanmore, Annandale and Lilyfield and one third cheaper than Haberfield to the west.”
She said this was  partly due to the larger blocks of land available in the surrounding suburbs. By contrast, apartments in Leichhardt are a similar price to Lilyfield and more expensive than all other neighbouring suburbs.
The neighbourhood has a strong sense of community which stems from its rich Italian heritage. Following the Second World War, Leichhardt became a centre for the Italian community in Sydney. 
Many businesses in the area are Italian owned. Although it has become less distinctively Italian with the increasing gentrification of the suburb and movement of families to suburbs with larger blocks of land, its Italian character still persists.
Leichhardt offers a mixture of property types and attracts a wide range of households. 
Families with children account for 39 percent of households, slightly below the average across Greater Sydney of 47 percent. By contrast, there is a slightly higher proportion of couples without children and lone persons in the suburb compared to the city average accounting for 47 percent of households.
Employment opportunities and proximity to employment hubs are a key reason people are drawn to live an area. Leichhardt’s connections to the Sydney CBD means that a high proportion of residents in the suburb work in high value industries such as the Professional, Scientific and Tech sector and the Information Media and Telecommunications sector.
Chick went on to say that 50,000 new jobs are forecast along Parramatta Road over the next 30 years, which will only see Leichhardt’s popularity rise.
Parramatta Road has been one of Sydney’s major transport corridors since it opened in 1811, connecting the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs. 
In November 2016, the government released its new 30-year ‘Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy’. The move is expected to drive new development to accommodate a diverse mix of commercial uses, employment zones and homes for 430,000 people. 
There is a target of 27,000 new residential dwellings and 50,000 new jobs along the corridor between Homebush and Camperdown.
Leichhardt is one of the eight strategic growth centres identified within the corridor, which will become the focus of future investment.
Chick said it is important to assess the outlook for Leichhardt in the context of the Sydney property market.
“Property prices in Sydney have increased substantially over the past 10 years in common with many other cities around the world. The market has benefited from strong economic conditions, low interest rates and an imbalance between demand and supply. More recently, while Sydney’s property market continues to see some of the strongest growth in Australia, the rate of growth has slowed.
“The affordability of residential property is one of the biggest challenges facing the city and will limit the demand from both first home buyers and home movers. Additionally, following the regulatory measures introduced to temper lending to investors, it is widely believed that the proportion of bank lending to investors could reduce. Demand from foreign investors is also likely to be tempered following the introduction of additional stamp duty charges”.
Overall, it is expected that the rate of price growth across Sydney will slow, with prices remaining on a ‘high plateau’ perhaps for some time. However, as Sydney’s population continues to increase, interest rates are low and infrastructure projects complete the long-term prospect for the residential markets remain sound.
In Leichhardt, the attributes that attract buyers, including the proximity the Sydney CBD, good transport links and high quality amenities, will continue to appeal, regardless of market conditions.
 
 
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Sydney's Leichhardt has low vacancy rate and good growth prospects: Savills

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A 1958 sqm land development at Brighton has been sold for $11 million.
Located at 448 St Kilda Street, the site was purchased by an offshore Chinese investor.
It sold through Savills agents Benson Zhou, Julian Heatherich and Dorothy He.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/24/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-24%20at%2010.15.32%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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It is opposite Head Street Reserve with Elwood Beach and Port Philip Bay not far from it.
The CBD is only 8.5 kilometres away.
It has approval for a high-end low-rise residential development.
Mr Zhou said "Brighton continues to stand out as one of the highly sought-after suburbs by savvy developers who look to capitalise on the ongoing demand for luxury projects.
"The recently approved permit generated a significant windfall for the vendor who paid $6,350,000 for the site 3 years earlier."
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Mr Heatherich said that developers were continuing to snap up luxury projects at every opportunity, being sold immediately after our recent sale of a luxury project at 553-555 Burke Road, Camberwell for $9,188,888 to local developer Kokoda.
He said the design of the project and its location in close proximity to Elwood beach, Ormond Road retail precinct and Brighton village was the driving force that ultimately attracted several offers before the public launch.
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Brighton land development sold for $11 million through Savills

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Xander Gagnet, Analyst, Residential Site Sales at Savills talks about Australia’s most promising suburb…
The commentary addressing Sydney’s residential property ‘boom’ over the last half decade has seemingly drowned out the remarkable story developing in one of the nation’s most promising suburbs. However, a series of significant transactions and projects nearing commencement has ensured Macquarie Park is and will remain in the spotlight for some time. 
In the last 18 months, Macquarie Park has seen 10 confirmed transactions amassing to over $1.2 billion in site sales providing more than 4,500 potential units. However, these development sales only tell part of the story with over 7,000 dwellings either approved and awaiting commencement or in various stages of the development application process. 
Developers aren’t concerned with an over-saturated market due to high clearance rates currently being achieved in off-the-plan sales and gross realisations outperforming early feasibilities. It is understood apartments in these developments are yielding an average realisation as high as $16,000 per square metre of internal area.
The mounting demand for residential accommodation in the suburb has seen both domestic and international developers scramble to acquire the remaining sites. This has been bolstered by the strongest appetite for development sites on record across Sydney as developers take advantage of the built up lack of supply from decades of underdevelopment.
Many of the developers actively seeking opportunities are pure offshore groups or offshore backed local groups with a long term view of the ‘safe haven’ of Australian investment. This means asset performance measures are diminished and building a brand image in Australia is more critical in winning the confidence of local investors. They achieve this through developing landmark CBD projects and due to their lower cost of capital metrics these groups over the past few years have outperformed the market. This has resulted in record breaking results for land bank development assets.
The hot topic concerning Strata Renewal law and the regulations made pursuant to those acts, has brought about a wave of excitement for individual strata owners. Formerly owners were held ransom by developers who have strategically implemented ‘blocking strategies’ in strata buildings. However, due to the law reform, owners of freehold strata are able to terminate their strata scheme through a ‘collective sale’ whereby at least 75% of owners in the scheme agree to sell.
For the owners in 15-21 Cottonwood Crescent, Macquarie Park the strata law reform was welcome news. An amendment to the 2014 Ryde Local Environment Plan saw much of the existing residential flat buildings surrounding the Macquarie Shopping Centre rezoned to B4 Mixed Use with significant uplift in floor space densities and building heights. As a result, an opportunistic developer purchased individual units throughout the buildings to halt any future sale and effectively dictate the future of the site.
Due to the strata law reform, 55 owners across the four strata plans were quick to capitalise on the massive uplift associated with their properties by appointing the Savills Residential Site Sales team to dispose of their apartments through a collective sale. The owners achieved up to 100% above current market value by selling their circa $700,000 apartments for in excess of $1,400,000 each, becoming instant millionaires.
For the purchaser and other developers actively looking in the area, the deal highlighted confident sentiment in the local market as some of the vendors attached a first right of refusal to the sales contract over a new apartment in the future development.
There are few opportunities remaining in the area, and it is advised that remaining owners groups consider working together with adjoining buildings to create an amalgamated site. Developers are willing to pay more for larger sites as they can take advantage of a number of local and state building code efficiencies resulting in more apartments. As a result, the existing owners will benefit from a greater return per apartment than if they were to sell as a single block. Owners realising the uplift associated with their properties should seek the professional advice of sales agents with pure development experience, such as the Residential Site Sales team at Savills.
The team at Savills Australia have over 50 years’ cumulative experience in residential development. Full-life cycle capabilities include: concept analysis, council approvals, valuation and feasibilities, JRPP submissions, planning proposals, pre-sale campaigns, construction delivery and project handover. The Residential Site Sales team have transacted the strongest sales rate per square metre of proposed GFA achieved to date for a collective sale and in the last three years transacted more than $1.7 billion worth of residential development sites. Furthermore, Savills access to offshore capital is second to none having introduced more than $2.7 billion worth of capital into the Australian market since January 2015 and transacting more deals over $10 million than any other agency in Asia-Pacific.  
Across Australia, low interest rates and continuing population growth have been driving demand for residential property and will continue to do so. Over the next five years, Australia’s population is forecast to grow faster than all other developed economies. The influx of international capital as a result will continue to support demand for housing that is reinforced by confident investors and owner occupiers within the existing domestic market. However, the incessant migrant growth forecasted especially from Asian countries to well serviced suburbs such as Macquarie Park, is set to see prices in these areas continue their upwards trajectory.
Macquarie Park has seen over 200 hectares of land rezoned to make way for much needed commercial and residential development. Situated within 13 kilometres of all major CBD’s in Sydney, the suburb also boasts New South Wales’ largest suburban shopping centre, one of Australia’s leading universities, a hospital as well as transport by way of two railway stations and the M2 connecting residents and employees to all major arterial routes.
The future of Macquarie Park is also filled with great prospects with the inclusion on the Sydney Metro line, Australia’s largest infrastructure project, and plans to grow into the fourth largest CBD by 2030 with 40,000 employees in over 2 million square metres of net lettable area.
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Xander Gagnet is an Analyst in the <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/sales-and-investment/metropolitan-and-regional-sales.aspx" target="_blank">Savills Residential Site Sales</a> team. Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="https://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
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Is this Australia’s most promising suburb?

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A development site in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Camberwell has been snapped up by a Chinese developer for $5.5 million before its auction by Savills.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-camberwell-125961234" target="_blank">1059-1061 Toorak Road</a> site was set for auction on August 18.
The two adjoining residential properties are zoned General Residential 5 and have the potential for the development of a luxury residential project, according to Savills. 
The buyer has plans for a luxury apartment project.
The deal reflects a rise in demand for apartments in Melbourne’s leafy inner east suburbs. In May, a development site with permit for residential units in Camberwell sold for $2.3 million through Savills.
The deal was brokered by Savills’ Nick Peden, Jesse Radisich, Julian Heatherich and Benson Zhou. 
The sale represented a 16% percent premium ($389,000 per block) on the auction price of nearby 1065 Toorak Road just a few weeks back and showed the strength of the market, Savills said.
The land area is 1,700 sqm.
“The sale ($2.75 million per block) represents a 16% premium on the single house block sale of 1065 Toorak Road in June 2017 for $2.361 million at auction by a local residential agent,” said Nick Peden.
The population of Camberwell is expected to grow by 31% over the next 25 years, which reflects the popularity of the suburb and hence its development prospects.
The site is close to retail amenities such as Hartwell Retail Village, Camberwell Junction and also public transport.
Camberwell and surrounds are also home to some of Melbourne’s elite schools and education facilities.
Camberwell has a high median house price of $2,295,500, said Savills.
Meanwhile, another Camberwell development has sold for $5.01 million, making it Melbourne’s most expensive weekend auction sale.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-camberwell-125960974" target="_blank">5-7 Braeside Avenue</a>, the 1552 sqm has been approved for development.
Designed by Alta Architecture the property is approved for eight town homes with a north rear orientation.
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The property is minutes to the Monash freeway, Toorak Road tram and walking distance to shops and Lynden Park.
The median price of a house in Camberwell is $2,117,500, which is an increase of $97,500 compared to last year’s median price.
The property was offered through Marshall White agents Nick Ptak and Zali Reynolds.
 
 
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Development site in Melbourne's Camberwell sells for $5.5 million before auction: Savills

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Some 55 homeowners in Sydney’s Macquarie Park have become instant millionaires in one of the biggest amalgamations in the country, with a private developer paying $80 million.
The 5,130sqm site situated at <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/_news/article/109976/153819-0/6/2017/macquarie-park-home-owners-to-follow-successful-merger-trend" target="_blank">15-21 Cottonwood Crescent</a> has potential for a new mixed use landmark tower of 270 apartments plus ground floor commercial suites (STCA) extending up to 65 metres, circa 21 storeys.
Providing approximately 23,085sq m of Gross Floor Area, the site was sold in two stages, with the purchaser first securing 15-19 Cottonwood Crescent, and later 21 Cottonwood Crescent, resulting in the strongest sales rate per square metre of proposed GFA achieved to date for a collective sale.
Stuart Cox and Neil Cooke of Savills Australia conducted a five week campaign that resulted in over 220 enquiries being received.
There were over 50 requests for the due diligence material, resulting in 13 offers received at the close of the EOI.
According to Stuart Cox, Director of Residential Site Sales at Savills Australia, this site was considered one of the most premium sites offered to the market within Macquarie Park given its elevated nature perched high upon the intersection of Waterloo Road and Cottonwood Crescent, its close proximity to Macquarie Centre, Macquarie University Railway Station and Macquarie University.
“Given the strong demand for the site, we undertook a second round EOI that resulted in a record sale price being achieved for the site.
“Of the 13 EOI’s received, 12 were from offshore large scale Asian developers drawn to the area by the vast array of amenities on offer within this suburb, namely retail, education and excellent transport” he said.
The site benefits from an amazing northerly aspect overlooking Macquarie Centre as well as over Elouera Reserve to the north-western elevation.
All future redevelopment in this area will be constructed to the south of the site.
The lawyer acting for the owners, Mr Ian McKnight of ClarkeKann Lawyers, said that he was able to devise a legally innovative and effective means to enable the owners to collectively sell their properties which provided a lot of certainty for both sides during the sale campaign.
According to Neil Cooke, Director of Residential Site Sales at Savills Australia, 91 per cent of the neighbours agreed to combine their properties in a bid to further evolve the master planned community of Macquarie Park.
“The new Strata Law reform legislation, particularly in well located areas, gives owners whom join together in a collective sale offering of over 75 per cent, substantial uplift benefit at a time when their existing capital works programs are becoming cost prohibitive."
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55 millionaires in Macquarie Park site consolidation

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A five-storey, fully leased and restored heritage building in Sydney CBD’s prized Kent Street is on the market through Savills.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/332-kent-st-sydney-nsw-2000" target="_blank">332 Kent Street</a> building would appeal to investors looking to take advantage of the growth in the B-grade office market and secure a foothold in the Sydney CBD, according to listing agents are Graeme Russell and Tim Grosmann of Savills Australia.
The Western Corridor in Sydney’s CBD is known for its architectural beauty with its high concentration of heritage-listed buildings.
The  property sits on a 485 sqm site with 1,569.60 sqm of net lettable area. Tenants include Nando’s Australia, LN Pulsation, SkillsIQ, Open Learning Global, Concierge Travel Group and Australian Packaging Covenant. 
The net income is more than $1,000,000 per annum and there is a Weighted Average Lease Expiry (WALE) of 1.42 years.
Tim Grosmann said the building underwent an upgrade and the construction of an additional level set back from the ornate facade in 2002. 
“This is an exciting opportunity for not only an investor looking for prime retail and office accommodation, but an owner-occupier looking for a distinctive property in a vibrant locale to base their office,” he said.
The building has frontage to Kent Street and there is further scope to add a roof top terrace to the building that takes advantage of the vast city skyline views. Anchor points have already been incorporated to the roof that will support the weight of a huge rooftop terrace, he added.
Internally, the property has been modernised with the original arched niches in face brick internal walls and roof trusses remaining exposed to ensure the heritage character of the building. 
A sliding rental expiry profile across the commercial tenancies will allow an astute purchaser to capitalise on the tightening Sydney office leasing market, added Graeme Russell.
“Demand for office space has never been greater and B Grade accommodation in the Western Corridor is the most sought after product in a rising office market. Currently B grade office vacancy is tighter than A grade at 3.7 per cent verses 4 per cent respectively” he said.
The Sydney CBD is Australia’s largest office market, with 5.08 million sqm of total stock and is favoured by many investors and tenants alike, as highlighted by some of the strongest prime property rents and yields across the nation, according to Savills.
The building is being sold through expressions of interest closing September 6.
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