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

<main data-perf-region="main">
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>
</main>

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

Sydney

<html><body>
One year out from the next New South Wales election, the NSW Government has announced that Westmead will feature on the second metro line that at this early stage is having its corridor refined.

Dubbed Sydney Metro West, the aim is to add more passenger capacity between the Sydney CBD and Parramatta with intermediate stops along the line offering connection opportunities.  

Exact travel times are not yet set in stone, given the corridor planning's fluid state, but the Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, said Sydney Metro West will be the fastest journey between the two major centres.

<blockquote>
Sydney Metro West will become the fastest, easiest and most reliable journey between the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs, which could be as little as 20 minutes.

We have been working hand-in-hand with the community on Sydney Metro West and we have taken on board feedback to make it an even greater infrastructure project for greater Western Sydney
<cite>NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian</cite>
</blockquote>

The Sydney Metro is an operationally-independent railway utilising driverless trainsets with its first phase ('Sydney Metro Northwest') set to enter service in 2019 between Cudgerong Road in Rouse Hill and Chatswood. 

The project's second phase ('Sydney Metro City &amp; Southwest') which involves building a new rail crossing under the harbour and new tunnels running north-south under Sydney's CBD achieved planning approval in January 2017.

The second phase of the metro line will also involve converting a portion of the existing Bankstown line for the exclusive use of new driverless metro trains.

Once both phases of are complete, the railway will be 66km in length and provide rail commuter services from Sydney's outer North West through major nodes on the northern and southern side of the harbour through to Bankstown in Sydney's south-west.

The NSW Government also announced the new Sydney Metro West will have a station either at Concord or North Strathfield in order to allow passengers to interchange between the Northern line and faster Sydney CBD or Parramatta services on the new metro line.  

The Westmead and North Strathfield/Concord statements are on top of the already announced station locations at The Bays precinct, Sydney Olympic Park and still as-yet defined stations in the Sydney CBD and at Parramatta.

Further community consultation will continue as it's expected more station locations will be announced with Camellia/Rydalmere, North Burwood/Five Dock, Kings Bay and Pyrmont mentioned as possible locations.

A map published on the project's website shows potential extensions of the second metro line both eastward and westward.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_west_map.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The scope of the first stage of Sydney Metro West - image: Sydney Metro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="297" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/syd_metro_west_map.jpg?itok=zwAJ6YAd" title="The scope of the first stage of Sydney Metro West - image: Sydney Metro" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The scope of the first stage of Sydney Metro West - image: <a href="https://www.sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview">Sydney Metro</a></figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Alastair Taylor

NSW government announces Westmead will be a stop on the new Sydney Metro West

<html><body>
The 2018 City Wealth Index uses four critical measures to identify the cities that matter to the wealthy – wealth, investment, lifestyle and future. 
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
 
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
Wealth
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
Investment
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
Lifestyle
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
Future
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
Overall Rank
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
New York
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
1
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
1
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
1
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
1
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
London
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
4
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
2
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
5
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
2
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
San Francisco
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
5
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
4
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
2
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
6
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Los Angeles
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
2
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
5
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
12
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
4
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Chicago
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
6
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
18
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
3
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
8
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Singapore
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
7
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
3
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
10
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Paris
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
13
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
14
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
7
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
5
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Tokyo
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
10
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
22
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
6
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
2
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Hong Kong
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
3
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
3
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
10
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
25
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
9
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Washington DC
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
12
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
10
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
7
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
13
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
10
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Sydney
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
20
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
7
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
14
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
17
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
11
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Dallas
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
9
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
6
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
35
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
9
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
12
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Boston
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
24
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
13
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
21
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
7
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
13
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Houston
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
8
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
29
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
14
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
14
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Miami
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
19
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
8
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
19
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
20
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
14
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Atlanta
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
20
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
10
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
24
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
16
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Beijing
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
37
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
19
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
17
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Shanghai
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
29
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
21
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
23
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
18
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Munich
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
39
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
23
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
26
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
20
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
19
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Madrid
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
52
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
25
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
9
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
24
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
20
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="86">
Melbourne
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
44
</td>
<td nowrap width="76">
15
</td>
<td nowrap width="70">
25
</td>
<td nowrap width="60">
26
</td>
<td nowrap width="78">
20 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Liam Bailey, Global Head of Research at Knight Frank, commented this year’s index produced some very interesting results with regard to the projected growth of wealthy households around the world that will be exciting to track.
"However, North America’s domination of the current household wealth tables is unequivocal.
"Although the economic powerhouses such as New York and London dominated the overall rankings again, it is interesting to note the power of other US cities.”
Knight Frank’s Head of Residential Research, Australia Michelle Ciesielski noted Sydney sits at 11th overall on the City Wealth Index, influenced by ranking seventh in the category ‘investment’ in property over the two years ending 2017.  
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney and Melbourne rank in top 20 in Knight Frank City Wealth Index

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Australian cities continue to offer the world’s highest quality of living and remain attractive destinations for expatriates on assignment, according to Mercer’s 20th annual <a id="m_6268133976315433249LPlnk333679" href="https://www.imercer.com/content/mobility/quality-of-living-city-rankings" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://www.imercer.com/content/mobility/quality-of-living-city-rankings.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1521672718938000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGzgPb919p4f5qmXOE6SosrcdYguQ">Quality of Living survey</a>. 
However, it was also revealed that cities in emerging markets, though challenged by economic and political turmoil, are catching up with top ranking cities following decades of investing in infrastructure, recreational facilities and housing in order to attract talent and multinational businesses.
This year, Vienna tops the ranking for the 9th year running and is followed by Zurich (2), Auckland and Munich in joint 3rd place.
In 10th place, Sydney ranked highest for Australia, followed closely by Melbourne at 16th place.
Just missing out on the top 20 was Perth at 21, followed by Adelaide (29), Canberra (30) and Brisbane (37).
Simon Kennedy, Mercer’s Market Insights Leader in Australia said that Australian cities continue to rank high due to factors such as stable political and social environment, strong infrastructure, good quality housing and recreational facilities combined with excellent medical and health services which attract international talent and businesses.
“Today’s workplace is rapidly changing as we see more and more companies moving workers abroad,” said Kennedy.
“However, to successfully transition employees to new locations, companies must understand the demands of operating in a contemporary VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environment. Importantly, companies need to be mindful of not only the costs associated with expatriate postings, but the quality of life provided by the new locations.”
<ul>
<li>All Australian cities within the global top 40; Sydney and Melbourne at 10 and 16 respectively</li>
<li>Vienna ranks highest for quality of living for the 9th year in a row</li>
<li>Mercer’s 20th annual Quality of Living survey provides rankings for more than 450 cities throughout the world; this year’s ranking includes 231 of these cities</li>
</ul>
 
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Sydney retains 10th ranked in international quality of living survey

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The Sydney investment management firm KSI Investments has successfully raised $6.4 million from investors using the DomaCom crowdfunding platform.
They have transacted on the first of two side by side parcels of land in the South-West Sydney suburb of Rossmore which is 5km from the new Badgery’s Creek airport for Sydney and 5km from the planned strategic regional centre at Leppington.
Robin Luo, CEO of KSI Investments says it was a significant milestone "not just for KSI Investments, but for all Australian property investors."
"We have successfully gathered together a group of likeminded investors interested in buying land and helped them transact on a prime piece of land in Sydney’s South-West growth corridor”. 
KSI Investments believe their key to success has been transparency.  
Endre Kollo, Investment Director of KSI Investments says unlike failed land banking schemes of the past, "we are a totally different proposition."
" We do not have complex structures involving many different companies and trusts, we do not borrow any money and we do not hide behind the veil of a wholesale fund status”.  
DomaCom CEO Arthur Naoumidis said DomaCom was delighted to be involved.
"We manage an ASIC registered retail managed investment fund under an Australian Financial Services Licence.
"This transaction strongly demonstrates the vision behind the DomaCom platform, as we’re helping investors pool money together to purchase quality land assets that would normally be the domain of institutional investors.” 
The 64 Devonshire Road property at Rossmore is the first in a series of planned acquisitions by KSI Investments.
Although the first land fund is now closed, the adjoining block of land is now open for investment through the second fund. 
The fund is able to accept investment from SMSF investors as well as private investors, companies and trusts with a minimum investment of $2,000 for 60 Devonshire Road, Rossmore (6.32 acres).
The site is expected to accommodate between 110 to 140 houses if rezoned residential which is anticipated to occur over the next 5 to 7 years.
DomaCom offers investors a liquidity facility that enables investors to trade units in the fund freely at any time, provided there is a matching buyer and seller before the eventual land sale.
The fund will incur a 2 per cent annual management fee and 20 per cent performance fee at the time of the sale of the land. 
The expected timeframe of investment is 5-7 years with maximum term of 10 years.
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Australia’s first retail land banking managed fund aimed at SMSF investors completes Rossmore acquisition

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The Residence 10 set in the acclaimed Renzo Piano-designed Macquarie Street building has been listed for sale.
The Mirvac-developed building won the prestigious Wilkinson Award.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/3/15/MACQUAIRE%20ST%202.jpg" alt="">
Situated at 155 Macquarie St, the apartment has three bedrooms and oversized living and dining room which opens to a wide winter garden and chef-designed kitchen. 
Other features include a marble guest powder room, additional 4th room ideal for an office/storage/cellar room and double lock-up garage.
Resident can enjoy a 24/7 established concierge service, 12 metre heated indoor swimming pool, full gymnasium, steam room and sauna.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/3/15/MACQUAIRE%20ST%203.jpg" alt="">
‘Residence 10’ provides one of the largest floorplans within the building - around 214 sqm of living space.
It has panoramic views stretching from the Opera House across the Royal Botanic Gardens to the Sydney Harbour.
It located only metres to David Jones Food Hall, NSW Art Gallery, State Library, harbour foreshore and Opera House. 
Sydney Sotheby's International Realty agent Jaime Upton is marketing the apartment.
 
 
 
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Sydney Macquarie Street apartment listed for sale

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A Tamworth property created by Sydney architects Tanner Kibble Denton has won the World Architecture News Commercial Architecture Award 2017.
The building, Glasshouse at Goonoo Goonoo Station, was honoured in London recently with the project design director John Rose present to receive the award. 
“This is a very proud moment. We have a dynamic young team based in Sydney and this award shows the world what they are capable of," Rose said.
"A juror said that our project was a ‘stand-out’; this is an incredible endorsement amongst such an impressive line-up of international projects."
The Glasshouse is a state of the art restaurant and function centre with a contemporary dining experience with expansive views of the surrounding hills.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/3/14/glasshouse2.jpg" alt="">
It sits between two original agricultural structures, the 1870s Woolstore and a 1950s Shearing Shed.
The restaurants offers a strong visual connection with the Woolstore, with the rusticity of the sheep ramp and shearing shed. 
“The design responds to the materiality of country- steel, stone and timber," Rose said.
"It complements the solid enclosure that is the Woolstore and the mechanism that is the Shearing Shed.
"The outcome is an elegant and simple building, occupying the space between the historic elements that animates the entire precinct when in use."
Goonoo Goonoo Station was first established in 1841.
Glasshouse also won the Sir Arthur G Stephenson Award at the Australian Institute of Architects NSW.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Sydney architect wins world commercial building award

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Podia and Centennial Property Group are looking to add to Neutral Bay's tightly held apartment market via a fresh development application that landed with North Sydney Council earlier this month.

The submission for approval follows on from Colliers successfully selling 14-20 Premier Street during January; the site with 63 metres of frontage contained four small-scale freehold apartment buildings and was billed as a prime development site.

Site in hand, entity AIDOP No 2 Pty Ltd on behalf of the development duo is looking to inject 36 new dwellings into the Neutral Bay apartment market. Spread across a sloping 2,175 square metre plot, the development would maintain sweeping view over Forsyth Park, the North Sydney skyline and the Sydney Harbour Bridge beyond.

Presenting as two levels to Premier Street, the rear of the site would rise to five levels, affording many apartments with expansive vistas.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image279.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Aerial perspective of the site. Image: Colliers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image279.jpg?itok=0ou_B-ln" title="Aerial perspective of the site. Image: Colliers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Aerial perspective of the site in close proximity to Forsyth Park. Image: Colliers</figcaption></figure>Architecture practice Ess Lifestyle is behind the design, opting for strong horizontal elements punctuated by generous amounts of greenery.

Internally the proposal provides for 36 apartments, broken down into the following matrix: 7 x 1 bedroom, 16 x 2 bedroom apartments, 12 x 3 bedroom apartments and 1 x 4 bedroom apartments. The healthy number of three bedroom apartments and the addition of a four bedroom apartment has the project aimed at the upper end of Sydney's residential market.

Ess Lifestyle has designed the apartments where possible to include a minimum of two frontages in order to maximise available light and ventilation. Effectively two buildings connected via an enclosed walkway, the highly transparent design provides a scale and apartment density that is appropriate for "both the existing and future multi-unit developments in the area, and within the proposed evolving local context."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image278.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Light filled apartments are the order of the day. Planning image: Ess Lifestyle"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image278.jpg?itok=5Z39n32M" title="Light filled apartments are the order of the day. Planning image: Ess Lifestyle" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Light-filled apartments are the order of the day. Planning image: Ess Lifestyle</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The overall massing dual building form is a rational response to the particular constraints of the site/context and the functional needs of the proposed program. As such the final built form and facade articulation was the result of the process to create a project that maximises amenity while being sensitive and responsive to both its existing and future contexts.

The proposed façade articulation is horizontal in nature and provides a bespoke response to the amenity requirements. The inclusion of planter boxes helps break down the symmetrical rhythm of the internal planning providing a rich and textured facade. The simple material and colour pallet deliberate response to the project’s urban but garden locale.

Simple expressed horizontal elements provide the framework for an exploration of texture providing differing levels of solidity, transparency and opaqueness through material manipulation. The addition of greenery helps to further enliven the facade and blend it in with the locale.

Ess Lifestyle Design statement
</blockquote>

14-20 Premier Street has a development cost of $13.28 million, with the application currently at referral after having its time before Council's Design Excellence Panel.
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silvermb

Podia and CPG take aim at premier position in Neutral Bay

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The Mount Kuring-Gai home of the late country music singer Geoff Mack is being sold.
Mack, most famous for writing the 1962 Lucky Star hit 'I've Been Everywhere', which now has 131 different versions, had lived at the home for xxxx decades before his passing last year.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mount+kuring+gai-127553402" target="_blank">The family home </a>has five bedrooms, three of which opens to balconies.
The name Billiricay is etched above the garage where there's a second level versatile studio space, currently with a kitchen and bathroom.
It is being advertised as an ideal project for savvy builder or ambitious renovators.
McGrath Hornsby agent Nick Berman has a price guide of $1.2 million to $1.3 million.
Mack's musical career was established during World War 2 where he was an aircraft mechanic in the RAAF.
Whilst serving in Borneo, the soon to be discharged corporal was noticed for his guitar and singing abilities. He was seconded to entertain the troops with visiting guest stars.
In 1950 after a stint in Japan performing to audiences from all around the world he returned to Australia where he wrote the iconic I've Been Everywhere.
It was a hit for Lucky Star and was sang by Johnny Cash on his 1996 album Unchained.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/3/8/GAI%202.jpg" alt="">
Mack was inducted into the International Songwriters Hall of Fame in Nashville Tennessee in 1963 and into the Hands of Fame at Tamworth in 1978.
He received the Tamworth Song Writer's Association Song Maker award in 1997.
In 2013 Mack was awarded the lifestime achievement golden guitar by Country Music Association of Australia. 
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
 
 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Late country music singer Geoff Mack's home for sale

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John McGrath, the McGrath Estate Agents founder, has slammed Harry Dent’s forecasts on Australian property.
In a column published in Switzer Daily, McGrath noted Dent was echoing Australian housing bubble predictions he made in 2014 and 2011, despite them being proved wrong.
McGrath criticised Dent for failing to account for the “ingenuity of Australians, not to mention our long-embedded culture”.
Dent admitted, in a Channel 9 interview and one to <a href="/expert-insights/investing/80453-harry-dent-repeats-bubble-forecast-for-sydney" target="_blank">the Daily Telegraph</a>, that his predictions in previous years had been off the mark but maintained Australian property was in a bubble that would inevitably burst.
McGrath said Dent lacked an understanding of the local housing market, typical of overseas commentators who did not understand the local housing market.
“I can understand why Dent would look at Sydney, in particular, and think it’s overvalued.
"That’s how it might look on paper to an analyst who doesn’t understand how things work here,” <a href="http://www.switzer.com.au/the-experts/john-mcgrath-property-expert" target="_blank">McGrath wrote</a>. 
"Good quality Australian real estate, held over the long term, is one of the safest and most reliable asset classes you’ll find anywhere in the world.
“He fails to take into account all the unique factors that have kept our property prices growing while also protecting our market from collapse.”
Strong population growth was not the only reason the market weathered the GFC relatively unscathed, according to McGrath. 
High levels of prudential oversight in the local banking system and the high concentration of Australia’s total population living in Sydney and Melbourne ensured steady demand for housing, despite high prices, he said.
<div class="wp-caption">
Dent’s forecasts also failed to account for issues such as Sydney’s geography, which has encouraged a housing undersupply, McGrath said.
</div>
“When you’re having a growing population that is very concentrated around a small group of cities — and two in particular, you’re going to have much greater stability in home values no matter how high prices go,” he said.
“Additionally, in major growing cities like Sydney where urban sprawl has gone about as far as it can, we now have a chronic undersupply of new housing that is also serving as a strong foundation for ongoing growth.
“On top of this, we have low unemployment, a strong and resilient economy, low interest rates, a tax system that rewards property investment and a growing market of international buyers.”
 
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John McGrath says Harry Dent doesn't get it on Sydney housing

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The record completion of 38,759 new homes across metropolitan Sydney is good news for housing supply.
We need an average across Sydney of 36,250 new homes each year for 20 years and the announcement by Planning Minister Anthony Roberts that 38,759 new homes were built in 2016 is good news that demonstrates we have exceeded the annual target.
Clearly the development industry has excelled in its performance over 2016.
The fact that this is a record achievement is a result of the hard work undertaken by the property development and construction industry with support from the planning system.
There are however concerns for the potential to continue this level of home completions over 2018 as approval numbers are dropping. In 2016 there were 56,659 approvals which included 38,991 apartments but in 2017 there were only 52,480 home approvals with apartments dropping to 34,710 according to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Housing Monitor.
The main District where the drop in approvals is occurring is the Central District which dropped from 15,720 approvals in 2016 to 13,111 in 2017. The Northern District also dropped from 9,819 approvals in 2016 to 6,591 in 2017.”
The Urban Taskforce is concerned that the apartment market in Sydney is slowing down influenced by the banks tightening lending, a slow-down in foreign investment, concerns about substantial taxes on development to fund affordable housing and the removal of current caps on local development levies.
The message we are getting is that even with planning approvals a number of developers are holding back on developments due to the uncertainty of extra costs.
It certainly looks as though the housing development industry has had a bumper year in 2017 but the industry is likely to see a slow-down in actual production of finished new homes over 2018.
The Urban Taskforce is keen to work with the NSW Government to try and keep the flow of record home completions continuing into future years.
To do this we must keep Sydney completions above the average needed of 36,250 a year for a number of years ahead.
Chris Johnson is the Urban Taskforce CEO.
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