Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

Savills

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A Chinese investor has bought a fully leased dental clinic at Moorabbin for $4.8 million on a 6 per cent yield, in a deal brokered by Savills' Clinton Baxter and Julian Heatherich.
The single level, <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-moorabbin-502166194" target="_blank">402 South Road</a> property comprises a fully refurbished building with a brand new state-of-the-art fit-out on a 647 sqm corner, Activity Centre zoned site.
It has two street frontages. 
Baxter said the property was sold with a 10-year lease with options to global healthcare group Bupa at a current net annual rental of $287,596.
He said the clinic had been operating for nearly 70 years over which time it had established a huge client base.
"The fact that the property was fully let to an international tenant on a long term lease and that the premises’ fit-out was state-of-the-art, made this a must consider for private investors and the result reflected that,’’ Baxter said.
Heatherich said demand for such investments was at an all-time high with the huge volume of investment sales over the last few years resulting in a diminishing number of opportunities.
The vendor was a local private investor.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Chinese investor pays $4.8 million for Moorabbin clinic through Savills

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Australian cities figure regularly and highly on the liveability index with three in the top 10 led by Melbourne.
The trend will likely continue if Australian cities, especially Sydney and Melbourne with their rapid population growth, develop transport infrastructure that leads people growth and not react to it, according to Savills.
Many academic studies had pointed to the preference among skilled workers for 'liveability' over financial rewards including a recent (2016) Savills UK study - What Workers Want – which found workers wanted their life contained within a half hour radius.
Savills Australian head of research Tony Crabb said, he expects skilled or knowledge workers to be doubly attracted to places where they can achieve both a high degree of liveability and financial rewards, but transport infrastructure is the critical element with work, rest and play accessible in 30 minutes by car, public transport, walking, or cycling, the key determinant.
"While Melbourne and Sydney were likely to attract a growing number of skilled workers with population forecasts of up to 10 million by 2050, two other cities - Adelaide and Perth – were nominated with Melbourne, by the London based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), as among the world's top ten most liveable," he said. EIU List of the world's most liveable cities
<ul>
<li>Melbourne, Australia</li>
<li>Vienna, Austria</li>
<li>Vancouver, Canada</li>
<li>Toronto, Canada</li>
<li>Calgary, Canada</li>
<li>Adelaide, Australia</li>
<li>Perth, Australia</li>
<li>Auckland, New Zealand</li>
<li>Helsinki, Finland</li>
<li>Hamburg, Germany</li>
</ul>
“That is a great achievement for those cities but if they wish to maintain that status, transport infrastructure development needs to be front of mind. It needs to lead population growth rather than react to it but certainly governments need to be proactive. In my experience, in cities of 10 million people, cars don't work very well. Australian cities are very car-centric and need to develop better alternatives.
“Major transport infrastructure provides the backbone of investment opportunities and it is generally around such infrastructure that industries agglomerate, but light rail, tram, bus, cycling and street networks are equally important in delivering liveability. In an age where technology allows us to be virtually mobile at a global level, the quality of local neighbourhoods has rarely mattered more,” Crabb added.
Crabb said Australia's ageing population and the boom in demand for childcare were also significant issues that governments needed to consider in terms of liveability and attracting skilled workers. “Buildings including government offices, law courts, hospitals, schools and universities, and sporting and entertainment facilities provide the basic social infrastructure for growing communities and as such are magnets for population growth, but increasingly childcare and aged care are the 'must haves' for skilled workers and their extended families. “As the population grows and ages, the provision and facilitation of these industries also presents further opportunities in the built environment for hospitals, respite care, aged care, retirement living, medical centres and allied health industries which in turn provide anchors for other real estate,” Crabb said. He said while demand for childcare services would continue to grow with opportunities for investors and developers in both neighbourhood and near-workplace crèches, nursery schools and day care, hospitals may well be viewed as the new 'mega-mall'. “Hospitals are a large piece of public infrastructure and generally do not close down. As demand for hospital services increases, the land around them becomes more valuable for ancillary services. Short-term stay accommodation, entertainment, retail, offices, consulting suites, services and parking are just some of the value-add opportunities on offer to investors,” Crabb said. He said in a globally competitive environment governments needed also to be aware of the need to cater to the requirements of an increasingly mobile skilled immigrant workforce. “Skilled migrants have a choice of countries to which they may be attracted, and so hitherto attractive countries will face competition in the form of financial inducements such as free education and healthcare, low taxes, high wages and interesting jobs as well as lifestyle, safety, security and cleanliness. “Given the diversity of attractive offerings from competitors, liveability for Australian cities needs also to factor in policy and development with a multicultural flavour,” Crabb said.
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Transport infrastructure critical to successful cities: Savills

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Net effective rents in the Sydney CBD office market rose significantly in 2016 across both prime and secondary buildings and the trend is expected to continue in 2017, according to Savills. 
The property firm’s Sydney CBD Office Briefing Report highlights an improved leasing environment with strong tenant demand, stock withdrawals and falling incentives resulting in significant net effective rental growth. 
Net effective rents in the Sydney CBD enjoyed year-on-year growth in 2016 of +60% for B Grade office space, +48% for A Grade and +26% for Premium. Helping this growth were sharp drops in incentives in 2016 of -34% in dollar terms for A Grade, -26% for Premium and -25% for B Grade. Net face rents rose +28% for B Grade, +14% for A Grade and +6% for Premium. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/24/SydCBDofficemetrics.png" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/24/SydCBDofficemetrics.png" alt="">
Savills Australia national head of Research &amp; Consultancy Tony Crabb said both prime and secondary rents are rising in Sydney on the back of a shrinking pool of secondary stock. 
“The scarcity of secondary space has driven up both face and effective secondary rents and has caused a similar effect, albeit more muted, in the prime market as tenants are forced to upgrade,” he said. 
“Net effective rental growth was most pronounced due to the effect of declining rental incentives as highlighted by the 60% jump in B Grade net effective rents year-on-year. There was also a substantial increase in A Grade net effective rentals (up 48%) and Premium net effective rentals (up 26%). 
“Looking forward, we anticipate that net effective rents will continue to increase, particularly for secondary and A Grade accommodation. This will be a function of continued demand from displaced tenants, the ongoing shortage of secondary stock and the ongoing effect of declining incentives.” 
Rob Dickins, Savills Australia national head of Office Leasing, said Sydney tenants will have a modest choice of options for prime accommodation in 2017 as some backfill space becomes available. 
“We estimate approximately 102,400 sq m will be released this year, however about two-thirds of this space is pre-committed. The majority of the 21,750 sq m of new supply entering the market is also pre-committed, such as the 15,000 sq m Darling Harbour Live building which CBA will occupy. These new options will be welcome news for tenants given the likelihood of further upheaval in the secondary market in 2017,” he said 
“Secondary stock withdrawals during 2016 totalled some 39,000 sq m for residential or hotel redevelopment purposes. This has effectively forced many displaced tenants to actively compete on B Grade space or upgrade their space requirements to either A Grade or Premium, as several have done. This has created upward pressure not only on secondary rents, but also in prime rents to a lesser extent.” 
“We expect this trend to continue in 2017 as further tenants are displaced owning to the withdrawal of a further 62,900sq m of mostly B Grade space for the Sydney Metro project.” 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/24/SydCBDrents.png" alt="">
Simon Fenn, Savills NSW managing director, said the rental growth in the Sydney CBD office market is welcome news for owners and investors. 
“Sydney A Grade and B Grade markets offer investors the opportunity of increased rental returns as we anticipate continued reduction in market incentives over the short to medium term,” he said. 
“A Grade yields tightened 75 basis points during 2016 while B Grade yields tightened significantly by 113 basis points in the course of the year. Recent rental growth and the prospect of further growth bodes well for investment yields given the implications for total returns.” 
“Investment appetite from both local and international investors for core Australian office assets remains high and continues to benefit from the spread between property income yields and long-term government bond yields. This investment environment is expected to support continued investment demand for quality Australian commercial property assets.” 
Fenn said local buyers were dominant in the Sydney CBD office market during 2016, accounting for 70% of the capital transacted. Developers made up the largest portion (25%) followed by Trusts (22%) and Funds (15%) which is consistent with the high levels of development activity currently underway in the Sydney CBD. Chinese investors claimed half of the capital invested by foreigners, with US, German and Hong Kong buyers making up the remainder. 
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Sydney office rents rose sharply in 2016, trend to continue: Savills

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Urban renewal projects, such as the RNA Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment are changing the face of the Brisbane fringe precinct. 
The Brisbane fringe office market comprises the five precincts - Urban Renewal (Fortitude Valley, Newstead and Bowen Hills, Herston), Inner South (South Brisbane, West End, Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point, East Brisbane and Greenslopes), Milton, Spring Hill and Toowong and contains approximately 1.2 million square metres of lettable office space, according to Savills latest quarterly briefings.
<a href="/images/2016/11/05/Brisbane%20precinct.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/05/Brisbane%20precinct.jpg" alt="">
There are approximately 135,000 square metres of potential new office stock which could enter the Fringe office market over the next two to three years but for the present, the only office buildings under construction in the city fringe is the Southpoint development and 900 Ann St, totalling around 47,000 square metres.
The table below shows the projects under construction and those that may proceed in the medium term:
<a href="/images/2016/11/05/Brisbane%20office%20development.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/05/Brisbane%20office%20development.jpg" alt="">
Of the two remaining commercial stages planned for the RNA Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment ‘Kings Street’, K2 remains mooted however construction on K5 is expected to begin in early 2017. In recent months, Lendlease has reportedly secured engineering company Aurecon as a major tenant, who have pre-committed to approximately 6,000 square metres.
The planned 13-level office building K2 remains in early planning stages, with construction mooted to begin mid-2017. Along with K1, the three office towers will total over 50,000 square metres net lettable area.
CDOP7 (Coronation Drive Office Park 7) while still mooted, will be the 7th commercial building within the Milton Office Park with a 12-level commercial tower, including ground level retail and an urban common area. Included in the proposal is the possibility of refurbishing a building (CDOP 09) adjacent to the site.
Tatt’s Group has on sold its 3,254 square metre Newstead site to Charter Hall who plan to build a 15-level commercial building in a joint venture with John Holland.
John Holland have also pre-committed to two floors of the new development which is expected to commence construction in the first half of 2017.
Completion is anticipated to be sometime before 2020, in line with John Holland’s current lease expires in Ann Street.
Urban renewal projects, such as the RNA Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment are changing the face of the fringe precinct.
Along with numerous residential projects, urban renewal developments bring with them retail and café outlets as well as parks, path- &amp; bike-ways, vastly improving the amenity of the area.
This in turn is making the fringe a more attractive place for businesses to locate.
The overall office footprint of metropolitan Brisbane is also slowly expanding into neighbouring suburbs of the Fringe market, with the likes of the Hamilton Harbour and the Northshore Hamilton Brisbane Technology Park development, offering alternative modern office locations.
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Office footprint of metropolitan Brisbane slowly expanding into neighbouring suburbs: Savills

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The number of full floor leasing options in Melbourne has declined compared to last year, according to Savills’ latest report.
“In Savills’ Prime Full Floor Availability Report, the state of the leasing market is assessed in a different manner to standard vacancy surveys.
The report graphically shows each Premium and A grade building in the city on a floor-by-floor basis highlighting which floors are available for lease, now and in the near future, in each building including those under construction and refurbishment,” the report stated.
Results from the September 2016 Prime Full Floor Availability Report are detailed below.
<a href="/images/2016/11/15/Melbourne%20full%20floor.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/Melbourne%20full%20floor.jpg" alt="">
Savills recorded 135 full floors totalling 192,618 square metres available for lease in A Grade buildings, or 12.7 percent of the market analysed, down from 149 full floors recorded from a year ago.
The number of full floor leasing options available sits at 177 prime grade floors in September 2016, down from 197 full floors 12 months ago.
Full floor vacancy in both Premium and A Grade declined in the 12 months to September 2016.
Vacancy in full floors peaked at 220 in December 2015 with a previous peak of 233 prime grade floors in August 2013.
In recent months, there has been a downward trend of available options.
<a href="/images/2016/11/15/Melbourne%20CBD%20office%20quarterly%20full%20floor.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/Melbourne%20CBD%20office%20quarterly%20full%20floor.jpg" alt="">
Melbourne CBD grid (excluding Docklands) total office vacancy rate sits at 7.9 percent as at June 2016.
Whilst vacancy levels had been considerably lower for much of the time, an environment of increased supply levels and rising tenant migration either for upgrade or expansion is contributing to the following vacancy rates:
<a href="/images/2016/11/15/Melbourne%20vacancy.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/15/Melbourne%20vacancy.jpg" alt="">
Melbourne’s vacant office space in the CBD is generally shared by quality grades, with Prime space vacancy at 7 percent and accounting for 14 percent of the total vacancy (59 percent of the total stock) as at June 2016.
Prime vacancy in the Melbourne’s CBD office has declined from 7.9 percent recorded a year ago.
During the past 12 months, Prime quality stock remained steady with the vacancy rates declining with lift in the net absorption levels.
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Full floor leasing options in Melbourne declines compared to last year: Savills

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Parallel to the buoyant leasing activity, strong investment appetite from all purchaser categories resulted in high levels of transactional activity in the Melbourne CBD office market, according to Savills' latest report.
Melbourne CBD’s commercial office sales (&gt;$2 million) reached $2.15 billion in the 12 months to September 2016, with significant levels of capital chasing office sector assets.
The total sales achieved in the past year were 15 percent higher than the $1.87 billion that was transacted in the preceding 12 months.
According to IPD, Melbourne CBD office property returned a steady total return of 15.7 percent, at similar levels from a year ago.
However, Melbourne office property returns are trending above the five-year average total returns of 12.2 percent.
Historically low interest rates coupled with volatile global financial markets, led investors to select core office property as a solid investment asset class.
Investment yields firmed across Melbourne CBD’s prime and secondary assets over the past year.
"Savills expects this cycle to continue its momentum; albeit at a lower rate, with investment capital beginning to chase expectations of future NOI growth," the report stated.
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Market yields in the Melbourne CBD as at September 2016 are estimated to range between 5.25% and 6.25% for A grade buildings, and between 6.25% and 7.00% for secondary buildings.
Yield compression has been evident over the last twelve months, with yields for A grade assets having firmed by 83 basis points on average, whilst secondary yields tightened by 75 basis points.
Capital values in the Melbourne CBD as at September 2016 are estimated to range from $7,200 to $11,500 per square metre for A grade buildings, and between $5,000 and $6,550 per square metre for secondary grade buildings.
Average capital values for A grade properties have delivered an increase of 22 percent over the year.
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The Australian dollar has depreciated by 27 percent against the US dollar from its peak in March 2013, boosting property investment, especially from foreign investors over the past three years.
Foreign investors were the most active purchaser class for the period accounting for 65 percent of the total sales by value, well ahead of domestic institutions at 26 percent.
Private investors were the third largest purchaser category amounting to 7 percent of the sales by value.
The buoyant investment environment has continued to offer investors opportunities to rebalance their portfolios.
Currently there are three assets offered for sale in Melbourne’s central office market; ANZ world headquarters at 100 Queen Street.
RMIT Building by Selected Growth Properties and 50 Franklin Street owned by a group of strata owners, who have jointly put the building on sale.
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Joint sale by multiple property owners seeking to benefit from strong underpinning investor demand has been the latest trend in Melbourne’s property market.
The Melbourne CBD achieved 22 office sales, for the value of $2.15 billion in the 12 months to September 2016, up from $1.87 billion in the prior year.
In the most notable recent sales reported, Philip Lim purchased 380 La Trobe Street for $157 million from Invesco Asset Management, while Straits Real Estate sold 114 William Street for c.$175 million.
Other major sales for the last twelve months include; part shares in Southern Cross, a 43 percent share in Bourke Place, 161 Collins Street, 1 Collins Street and 120 Spencer Street.
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Rental rates reflect a net effective rent on a single, whole floor in the mid-rise of a building unless specifically otherwise stated.
Discounts and premiums exist for low and high rise space and for significant occupiers.
Victoria’s economy is expected to grow at 2.8 percent in 2016-17, highest amongst all Australian states and above the national average of 2.7 percent economic growth.
It is also forecasted to grow at a higher rate than the advanced economies (1.7 percent).
Tenant demand over the next year is expected to be driven by the sectors of Healthcare, Finance &amp; Insurance and Government, with the sectors forecast to grow at 6.0 percent, 5.4 percent and 4.1 percent respectively nationwide.
Melbourne CBD’s white collar employment grew by 11,600 workers from 2011 to 2016, and it is forecast to rise by another 36,000 workers over the next five years.
Growth in CBD white collar employment is expected to increase absorption of CBD office space.
“As tenant demand continues to improve, Savills expects pre-commitment led construction to drive new development activity over the course of the next two years,” the report stated.
Tenant migration to pre-committed stock is likely to affect backfill vacancy levels. As a result, rental growth is expected to remain below economic rents, with incentives still at play; albeit at lower levels.
“Whilst, leasing activity has been muted over most period (three quarters) of the past year in the central Melbourne market, largely attributed to low business confidence, Savills has recorded a recent uptick in the take-up,” the report stated.
Latest rebound in tenant demand led to the highest level of take-up recorded since September 2011 which is also above the five year average.
“Dun &amp; Bradstreet’s Business Expectations Index (the average of the survey’s measures of Sales, Profits, Employment and Capital Investment), increased to 17.8 for the fourth quarter of 2016, up from 12.3 in the previous quarter, and is 9.9 above the 10-year average of 7.9. Savills’ anticipates optimism in Business expectations to boost growth in tenant demand, resulting into higher level of leasing activity in the near term,” the report stated.
The RBA’s follow-up rate cut in August provided some support to Business confidence, lifting it from July 2016 (+4) to Aug 2016 (+6) and further sustaining it in September (+6). Current levels of confidence are consistent with the long-run average, as reported by NAB.
“Now with the conclusion of the federal election combined with Australia’s ‘safe haven’ status, Savills expects foreign capital flow to maintain its momentum, as market fundamentals continue to improve in domestic markets compared to overseas markets which are grappling from financial markets turmoil, Brexit and uncertainty led by upcoming US elections,” the report stated.
The amount of capital seeking investment opportunities is likely to further cause yield compression, though at a much slower pace.
Although, the limited availability of stock offered for sale is likely to impede record levels of investment activity from the recent past.
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Strong investment in all categories in Melbourne results in high levels of transactional activity: Savills

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Savills will auction five land lots at Lindfield onsite on December 11.
The lots form part Eton Estate which comprises a total of 10 land lots.
The five remaining lots will be auctioned at a later date.
Located at 101 Eton Road, Lindfield, the lots range in size from 831 square metres to 880 square metres with a price guide starting around $1,890,000 plus.
Savills selling agent David Poppleton noted in the first week of launching there had been more than 150 enquiries.
With a median house price of $2,500,000, according to CoreLogic, Lindfield has witnessed significant growth in recent years.
Since 2011, Lindfield has seen a cumulative capital growth in median house prices of 52.6% compared to the wider Ku-Ring-Gai market at 47%.
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Five land lots for sale in Lindfield through Savills

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Prominent Sydney hotel owner and developer, Iris Group, has paid $39 million for a huge Newcastle site.
It comes with approval for a 55,000 square metre residential, retail and commercial development.
Savills, the selling agent agent, suggests it is one of the most significant property transactions in Newcastle in several years.
It was sold by GPT and Urban Growth NSW.
The so-called East End (Newcastle CBD) Portfolio covers four city blocks and 1.66 hectares of premium land, the majority bordered by Hunter, Newcomen, King and Perkins streets.
The property was recently DA approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) for 47,800 square metres of residential, 4900 square metres of retail, and 2700 square metres of commercial space.
According to Savills Director Residential Site Sales, Stuart Cox, who managed the marketing campaign with Neil Cooke and Ben Azar, the site offered a vertical village of "the like the City had never seen before."
Iris Group CEO, Sam Arnaout said he was both excited and honoured to have won the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the liveability of the City of Newcastle.
He said while the property’s location and development approval were the most important factors, Newcastle’s surging population growth and concomitant demand for apartments along with the NSW Government’s $500 million commitment to revitalise the Newcastle City Centre were key additional considerations.
The portfolio’s existing improvements include a mix of 25 commercial and retail use buildings with a gross floor area of approximately 23,500 square metres.
They contain 81 tenancies, of which 25 are currently vacant, returning net annual income of $1.15 million.
 
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Newcastle site sold to Sydney developer Iris Group

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Australian Unity has paid $12,975,000 on a 7.3% yield for a fully leased office and warehouse complex at Springvale in Melbourne’s industrial south-east, in a deal brokered by Savills.
Located about 21 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, the 1651-1657 Centre Road property comprises 10,987 square metres of buildings including a 9910 square metre warehouse, and office, truck workshop and canteen components, on a 29,640 square metre site.
Savills' Chris Jones and Ben Hegerty, who negotiated the deal, said the property was sold subject to remaining lease tenure of around four years to global warehousing and freight forwarding manager, Mainfreight Distribution Pty Ltd, at an annual rental of $948,000.
Jones said the property offered secure income from a highly regarded international tenant, in an established south-eastern locality with excellent main road frontage.
Hegerty said the property last sold in February 2014 for $10.695 million to MRS/Harmony.
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Australian Unity pays $13m for Mainfreight warehouse in Springvale

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US based international footwear retailer Foot Locker has secured 600 square metre lease in Melbourne’s CBD.
It is one of the largest open-market Bourke Street Mall deals of the year.
The firm, one of the world’s biggest footwear retailers, with 85 stores Australia-wide, will move from its Swanston Street home.
It will double its floor space on Melbourne’s most sought after CBD strip.
According to Savills Victorian Director Retail Services, Michael Di Carlo, who brokered the deal with Damien Abela, Foot Locker has taken a ten year lease.
The rental of two level tenancy at 327 Bourke Street on the corner of Causeway Lane was not disclosed.
Mr Di Carlo said the deal was one of a number of key tenancy changes completed in the Mall over the last 12 months including Cotton On Mega moving into a new store, Optus expanding, Bardot relocating, Sunglass Hut opening a new flagship store and Michael Hill moving to the high profile corner of Swanston and Bourke streets.
"All of these changes, along with the General Pants relocation, show that large national and international retailers are still seeking high traffic strip locations where they can showcase their brand and generate strong sales.
Melbourne CBD retail and especially the Bourke Street Mall remains Australia’s pre-eminent retail destination and the location of choice,’’ Mr Di Carlo said.  
According to Savills Australia’s Q1 retail research (released in April) the CBD core market vacancy rate declined from 3.8 per cent to 2.6 per cent over the previous 12 months.
This marks the fifth consecutive year of declining vacancy despite the addition of several new CBD retail centres.
Associate Director Research, Monica Mondkar said CBD core shop vacancies had fallen 55 per cent - since a post-GFC high recorded a vacancy rate of 6 per cent in March 2011 - and were expected to remain low on the back of increased spending, Melbourne’s nation leading population growth, tourism and the continued influx of high profile global fashion brands. 
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