Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.

The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.

The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.

Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.

“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass. 
 
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”

He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.

Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.

The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;

New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;

Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.

"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;

NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.

The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.

The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.

Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.

The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" />

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.

"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."

"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."

The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" />

DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.

Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.

"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."

The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.

If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

Project: Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment

Address: 494-516 Military Road, Mosman

Developer: Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors

Architect: DKO Architecture

Lead Architect: Matthew Ritchard

Value: $230 million

Residences: 100 apartments

Key features:

<ul>
	<li>
	Ground-floor retail
	</li>
	<li>
	Rooftop wellness precinct
	</li>
	<li>
	Gym and sauna
	</li>
	<li>
	Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas
	</li>
	<li>
	Landscaped communal gardens
	</li>
	<li>
	Multi-use recreation court
	</li>
	<li>
	Retained mature blue gum tree
	</li>
	<li>
	Connecting with Country design process
	</li>
	<li>
	Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments
	</li>
</ul>

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman

Urbis

The Gold Coast apartment boom may have come off its 2021 highs, but solid sales reported in first three months of the year reveal continuing momentum as new apartment supply hits a record low.

Data compiled by property consultancy shows the Gold Coast recorded 377 new apartment sales in the March quarter, well off the 2021 high of 742 in the equivalent quarter last year.

The result also falls short of last year&rsquo;s low of 450 sales for the June quarter.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186075]

Despite 11 new projects launching during the quarter the data continues to highlight the ongoing shortage of new apartments with just 411 new apartments remaining for sale at the end of March, which is the lowest number ever recorded by Urbis since it began monitoring the new apartment market in 2014.

Based on the current quarterly sales rate, the Gold Coast has just 3.3 months of supply remaining, although Urbis notes that this figure will change once a number of large-scale projects are released to the market over the coming months.

&ldquo;Sales have certainly eased off their 2021 highs in the latest quarter, but that&rsquo;s not unexpected considering the high levels achieved last year,&rdquo; said Urbis director Lynda Campbell.

&ldquo;The key statistic this quarter is the drop in the number of apartments for sale to a record low, which shows the supply side is still failing to keep up with demand. It&rsquo;s unclear whether the supply shortage had any bearing on overall sales for the March quarter as the urgency to buy that we saw in 2021 is showing signs of easing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=190743]

&ldquo;However, there are several large projects coming to the market and we will be watching these sales closely as the market digests rising interest rates and any new initiatives at the federal level.

&ldquo;The obvious concerns surrounding construction costs and supply chain issues means that we do not expect to see as many projects make it out of the ground as in previous years while volatility and viability are managed.&rdquo;

Off the back of an impressive run of sales last year with a record 2,492 new apartments sold, the current quarterly sales rate could translate into another high-performing year the market.

Prior to 2021, the Gold Coast market absorbed an average of 1,100 new apartments a year with a high of 1,600 in 2015 and a low of 800 in 2017. If the March-quarter sales of 377 are repeated throughout the year, 2022 is on track to becoming the third biggest year for sales behind 2015.

&ldquo;The dominant buyer profile for Gold Coast apartments remains owner occupiers looking for larger apartments,&rdquo; said Campbell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106646 project_image_fid=184787]

&ldquo;Almost a third of the sales &ndash; about 31 per cent &ndash; were at price points above $1 million, which reflects the general increase in apartment values.&rdquo;

The Gold Coast Central precinct, which includes Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, had the highest number of sales in the March quarter with 243 sold, followed by the North Shore, which includes Hope Island, where all 90 sales were made.

The Coastal Fringe precinct and the Southern Beaches precinct &ndash; which is from Mermaid Beach to Coolangatta &ndash; both saw a drop in sales, with the Southern Beaches precinct falling to 27, the lowest since late 2017.

Urbis puts the drop in sales across these areas down to limited supply, with just 67 apartments remaining in the Southern Beaches precinct at the end of March.

Data compiled by property consultancy shows the Gold Coast recorded 377 new apartment sales in the March quarter, well off the 2021 high of 742 in the equivalent quarter last year.



alisonwarters@gmail.com

Gold Coast apartment market down but not out as supply hits new record low 

<html><body>
Sales results from 195 projects representing a sample of 23% of active apartments surveyed across Perth, Brisbane, The Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne study areas. 
2,300 projects monitored across all stages of potential new supply.
Data in the second quarter of 2020 (April to June) represents the first full quarter of COVID-19 trading in Australia following measures introduced in March to contain the virus.
Impact on off the plan sales can be seen with the clearance of available stock dropping to 10% as a national average. Whilst this represents a 5 percentage point drop on the previous quarter (which registered 15%), the speed of sale for the quarter remains comparable to the average over the last 18 months (10%).
Prior to COVID19 the apartment market was showing signs of momentum on the back of wider housing market growth. The first signs of impact from COVID-19 are visible in the second quarter, although demand levels have remained at similar levels seen this time last year in Q2 2019 data. 
New Apartment Rents
Data from the Urbis Rental Tracker shows well located new apartments continue to attract a premium over the wider market rent but have also been impacted in the short term by restricted people movement and economic challenges.
New product rents peaked in February in most markets nationally.  Rapid drops in rent were seen in March (6%) and April (3%) as inner-city markets were hit by a halt to in-migration and a spike in listings (average listing volume is 14% up on this time last year).  However, this quickly stabilised in June and July indicating the rental market has been able to adjust to supply and demand conditions rapidly. 
New Apartment Supply
New Project Launches have continued to decline, enabling existing stock to be absorbed. Only 23 new projects launched nationally in Quarter 2 2020 – compared to 60 projects a year ago in Quarter 2 2019.
Data for the first half of 2020 follows a continued downward trend. If the current rate of launches were to continue for the remainder of 2020 this would bring the annual total to around half the volume of projects launched in 2019, which was already half the average of the previous four years.
With the volume launching, in marketing and under construction all diminishing, market attention switches to absorbing newly completed stock. This offers buyers the advantage of viewing the finished product and suits those residents seeking a move in the short term. Owner occupiers were the most active purchaser group in each state surveyed in the quarter.
Across all projects there is an overall reduction in volume selling of 8% compared to this time last year with further reductions in volume to come given the declining launch rate.
Change in volume of apartments selling nationally by project status
While the apartment market adjusts to changing conditions, any associated reduction in housing delivery impacts upon economic activity in the short term and housing supply and affordability in the longer term.  Therefore, we expect stimulus and innovation to be in focus in the year ahead as industry and government seek to sustain housing production throughout the cycle.
This presents opportunities to stimulate build to rent housing supply and more diverse tenure options that help meet the absorption of current stock and affordability needs of customers.
The Melbourne market
Like the national results, speed of sale dropped in Melbourne from 11% of available stock clearing in Q1 2020 to 9% in Q2 2020 as prices held firm.
The apparent resilience of the market, much like the people of Melbourne will continue to be tested throughout the lockdown periods of 2020.
The supply story in Melbourne was mixed for the quarter. The volume of new project sales launches continued to trend down, with only 6 new projects launched in the quarter, compared to a quarterly average of 19 throughout 2019. However, approvals increased in the quarter to levels last seen in Q4 2018.
This bucking of the trend on approvals reflects the proactive response from government in fast-tracking shovel ready projects and the confidence of the development industry in Melbourne’s future.  This is encouraging for supporting future supply as the market recovers ground from the pause on demand placed by border and movement restrictions.
We expect further engagement will benefit housing delivery in this part of the cycle to drive economic activity in the short-term and speed up Melbourne’s response to future changes in demand.
National Build to Rent Insights
There has been an inverse between the build to sell apartment pipeline and that for Build to Rent, with build to sell supply declining and build to rent gaining momentum. 
We have seen decreasing rates of sale of available stock (exacerbated by COVID 19), leading to the increasing supply in apartments. 
Developers are shifting to Build to Rent, as an option to diversify their portfolio and reduce financial risk, while also moving sights quicker while there is minimal traction in the build to sell market.
APARTMENT SALES DOWN IN Q2 BUT SHOWING SIGNS OF RECOVERY New Apartment SalesSales results from 195 projects representing a sample of 23% of active apartments surveyed across Perth, Brisbane, The Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne study areas. 2,300 projects monitored across all stages of potential new supply.Data in the second quarter of 2020 (April to June) represents the first full quarter of COVID-19 trading in Australia following measures introduced in March to contain the virus.Impact on off the plan sales can be seen with the clearance of available stock dropping to 10% as a national average. Whilst this represents a 5 percentage point drop on the previous quarter (which registered 15%), the speed of sale for the quarter remains comparable to the average over the last 18 months (10%).Prior to COVID19 the apartment market was showing signs of momentum on the back of wider housing market growth. The first signs of impact from COVID-19 are visible in the second quarter, although demand levels have remained at similar levels seen this time last year in Q2 2019 data. New Apartment RentsData from the Urbis Rental Tracker shows well located new apartments continue to attract a premium over the wider market rent but have also been impacted in the short term by restricted people movement and economic challenges.New product rents peaked in February in most markets nationally.  Rapid drops in rent were seen in March (6%) and April (3%) as inner-city markets were hit by a halt to in-migration and a spike in listings (average listing volume is 14% up on this time last year).  However, this quickly stabilised in June and July indicating the rental market has been able to adjust to supply and demand conditions rapidly. New Apartment SupplyNew Project Launches have continued to decline, enabling existing stock to be absorbed. Only 23 new projects launched nationally in Quarter 2 2020 – compared to 60 projects a year ago in Quarter 2 2019.Data for the first half of 2020 follows a continued downward trend. If the current rate of launches were to continue for the remainder of 2020 this would bring the annual total to around half the volume of projects launched in 2019, which was already half the average of the previous four years.With the volume launching, in marketing and under construction all diminishing, market attention switches to absorbing newly completed stock. This offers buyers the advantage of viewing the finished product and suits those residents seeking a move in the short term. Owner occupiers were the most active purchaser group in each state surveyed in the quarter.Across all projects there is an overall reduction in volume selling of 8% compared to this time last year with further reductions in volume to come given the declining launch rate.Change in volume of apartments selling nationally by project statusWhile the apartment market adjusts to changing conditions, any associated reduction in housing delivery impacts upon economic activity in the short term and housing supply and affordability in the longer term.  Therefore, we expect stimulus and innovation to be in focus in the year ahead as industry and government seek to sustain housing production throughout the cycle.This presents opportunities to stimulate build to rent housing supply and more diverse tenure options that help meet the absorption of current stock and affordability needs of customers.The Melbourne marketLike the national results, speed of sale dropped in Melbourne from 11% of available stock clearing in Q1 2020 to 9% in Q2 2020 as prices held firm.The apparent resilience of the market, much like the people of Melbourne will continue to be tested throughout the lockdown periods of 2020.The supply story in Melbourne was mixed for the quarter. The volume of new project sales launches continued to trend down, with only 6 new projects launched in the quarter, compared to a quarterly average of 19 throughout 2019. However, approvals increased in the quarter to levels last seen in Q4 2018.This bucking of the trend on approvals reflects the proactive response from government in fast-tracking shovel ready projects and the confidence of the development industry in Melbourne’s future.  This is encouraging for supporting future supply as the market recovers ground from the pause on demand placed by border and movement restrictions.We expect further engagement will benefit housing delivery in this part of the cycle to drive economic activity in the short-term and speed up Melbourne’s response to future changes in demand. National Build to Rent Insights There has been an inverse between the build to sell apartment pipeline and that for Build to Rent, with build to sell supply declining and build to rent gaining momentum. We have seen decreasing rates of sale of available stock (exacerbated by COVID 19), leading to the increasing supply in apartments. Developers are shifting to Build to Rent, as an option to diversify their portfolio and reduce financial risk, while also moving sights quicker while there is minimal traction in the build to sell market. 
 
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Apartment sales showing signs of recovery: URBIS

<html><body>
It’s a great accomplishment to win best design for Sydney CBD’s first new luxury hotel in two decades, but to receive the unanimous vote from a 6-jury panel of experts makes this accolade even more remarkable.

Woods Bagot were among six architectural design firms to be given a brief by Urbis (in accordance with the <a href="https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/128065/Competitive-design-policy-adopted-09-December-2013.pdf">City of Sydney Competitive Design Policy 2013</a>) to produce a design for a new luxury city hotel for the central Sydney site owned by Singapore-based investment company SC Capital Partners Group. 

<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/sydneyhotel6.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="365" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel6.jpg?itok=9qzTlDin" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Woods Bagot award-winning design entry for new Sydney hotel. Credit: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><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/sydneyhotel1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="590" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel1.jpg?itok=ZJ9Vos9e" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The hotel will be operated by Andaz Hotels by Hyatt. Credit: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
“The Woods Bagot entry displayed a masterful architectural clarity and precision throughout the scheme.”

- Graham Jahn AM, City of Sydney’s director of City Planning, Development and Transport
</blockquote>

The sleek 55-storey skyscraper will complement its neighbouring heritage buildings (Sofitel &amp; CML Building), and has been designed with a focus on embracing Sydney’s natural environment to obtain the title of Australia’s first WELL-rated hotel.

<blockquote>
“In Sydney, we feel that nature is only ever held back, and if it were left unchecked it would quickly reclaim its domain – oozing like jam or glue into every crevice. Green walls, unexpected roof gardens, trees and generous landscaping at street level are part of the building’s integrated sustainability strategy.”

- Ian Lomas, Principal and Sydney studio Design Leader of Woods Bagot.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel2.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel2.jpg?itok=Pi3B0mNT" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Street level entranceway. Credit: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>At ground level, the hotel entry can be accessed via an elegant garden porte-cochére, where Sydneysiders and hotel guests are invited to enjoy retail stores and co-working spaces. The building also features a nine-level commercial office podium set within a tranquil garden and offering a clubroom with a pool, wellness centre and childcare facilities.

<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/sydney6.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydney6.jpg?itok=KCGM1p8u" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Sydney's Short Lane development. Credit: The Australian</figcaption></figure>Back in 2017, Woods Bagot completed Sydney’s <a href="https://www.woodsbagot.com/projects/short-lane">Short Lane development</a>, a design that draws on a strong connection to nature, utilising innovative planning to create a lush environment. This idea has been mirrored in the hotel design, to create an ‘urban oasis’ in the heart of the city.

<blockquote>
“Ultimately, each solution is bespoke for its location and I think that's that 'magic' that gives it a real spirit as a place, rather than it being something that lacks any sense of identity and could be anywhere. For us it's fundamental that there's a strong contextual connection back to its neighbourhood”

- Peter Miglis, via Urban's <a href="/news/discussing-apartment-design-with-woods-bagots-peter-miglis">'Discussing apartment design with Woods Bagot's Peter Miglis'</a>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel5.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="464" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel5.jpg?itok=DPXpB-PO" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Spectacular views of the city skyline. Credit: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure><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/sydneyhotel3.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="848" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/sydneyhotel3.jpg?itok=mmp2uRqC" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The 226 meter structure contains 55 floors making it the city's tallest hotel. Credit: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Guest suites then rise up the building, boasting incredible city views from every angle. The hotel reception and public sky deck can be found on level 15, and at the crown, a rooftop restaurant, bar and garden provide spectacular 360º views of Sydney Harbour, the Heads and parks.

<blockquote>
“The building will be instantly recognizable from every angle, as the tower changes form and emphasis in response to context, orientation and internal function,”

- Ian Lomas, Woods Bagot Principal
</blockquote>

The build will take place at 4-6 Bligh Street, and is due for completion September 2022.
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Olivia Round

Woods Bagot impresses judges with design for Sydney’s first new luxury hotel in 20 years

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<a href="/news/dealcorp-gains-approval-for-gardiner-station-development">Urban.com.au recently highlighted the approval</a> of DealCorp's new $100 million project - Glenarm Square - which will transform the forecourt of the newly revamped Gardiner Station in Glen Iris into a thriving new community space featuring a diverse range of planting and tree canopies.

Today's piece focuses on the public realm aspects of the development, with the 2,000 sqm plaza supported by an activated ground plane of commercial businesses. Theses retail and commercial tenancies will occupy 1,000 sqm spread across two levels comprising a café, a deli/grocer, and a provedore. 

The new precinct will service the residents of the 120 apartments within the seven-storey residential building, and continues the growing trend of new developments based around train stations and rail environments. These new transit and community hubs assist in activating previously underutilised spaces and creating destinations along Melbourne's rail network. 

Upon completion in 2021, Glenarm Square will provide residents and visitors to Glen Iris with a new village square, with formal and informal seating dispersed throughout the precinct, creating spaces which encourage social interaction and congregation. The project has been designed by Plus Architecture and Hecker Gutherie, in combination with Urbis and DealCorp.

<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/gardinerstation_s020_ext_retaildusk_final.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The interface between the public realm and built form. Image: DealCorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="264" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gardinerstation_s020_ext_retaildusk_final.jpg?itok=m_bR-qgC" title="The interface between the public realm and built form. Image: DealCorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The interface between the public realm and built form. Image: DealCorp</figcaption></figure>Planning and design consultancy Urbis has been involved in the project for the past four years, working closely with the Level Crossing Removal Authority, John Holland, KBR and Grimshaw. Urbis provided planning, urban design and landscape architectural services throughout the design and delivery process.

Additionally, Urbis was responsible for assessing the uplift potential of surplus land created along the rail corridor via the provision of valuation and feasibility analysis. On Glenarm Square, Urbis sought to create a permeable civic space where residents and travellers feel safe in a thriving and engaging communal space.

According to DealCorp, the amenity and growth of Glen Iris was a significant consideration in the planning of the precinct. The Residences at Glenarm Square adopts a dual façade approach which relates and responds to adjacent streetscape conditions and materiality with vertical articulations referencing the shop fronts along Burke Road.

Residents within the residential building will have access to a gym, 15m indoor pool, communal lounge and business centre for residents, and a communal kitchen and dining area that has been created in collaboration with renowned Melbourne chef Shane Delia.

DealCorp are preparing to start construction on Glenarm Square in 2019.

<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/gardinerstation_s050_ext_glenarmsthero_final_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Residences at Glenarm Square. Image: DealCorp"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="526" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/gardinerstation_s050_ext_glenarmsthero_final_0.jpg?itok=z7BfSOmc" title="The Residences at Glenarm Square. Image: DealCorp" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Residences at Glenarm Square. Image: DealCorp</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say...</h2>

<blockquote>
We have designed Glenarm Square to bring the station to life, creating an exciting new destination and activating it from morning until night instead of confining the activity to peak travel times. Glen Iris is one of most in-demand suburbs in Melbourne’s inner east. Glenarm Square will regenerate and repurpose the currently unused land adjacent to Gardiner Station and create much-needed amenity for the community.

- David Kobritz, DealCorp Executive Chairman
</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>
The key was finding the balance. Creating active edges with visibility from Burke Road through to Glenarm Road, and defining boundaries which are also permeable and visually appealing to draw people into the centre of the square,” said Haack. We achieved this through our use of materials such as perforated screening and designing an elevated concourse that integrates with the station.

- Peter Haack, Director, Urbis 
</blockquote>
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Laurence Dragomir

Glenarm Square to transform Gardiner Station into a thriving community space

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Woods Bagot has designed a new $31 million pier and lift structure which form key elements of the Urbis-led Master Plan for the Rockhampton Riverside Precinct. The project seeks to revitalise the riverside district by maximising the potential of the previously neglected area and transforming it into a hub of community activity.

The riverside pier employs materials that reference the community’s historical past of gold, silver and copper mining in a contemporary way, but just as importantly also represents an economic and cultural rebirth following the damage caused by Cyclone Maria in 2015.

<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/150193_n17_screenhd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The riverside pier and lift structure which form the Rockhampton Riverside Precinct. Image: Florian Groehn"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/150193_n17_screenhd.jpg?itok=YuetYOO8" title="The riverside pier and lift structure which form the Rockhampton Riverside Precinct. Image: Florian Groehn" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The riverside pier and lift structure which form the Rockhampton Riverside Precinct. Image: Florian Groehn</figcaption></figure>According to Woods Bagot, the riverside precinct has become a destination in its own right not just within Rockhampton but also regional Queensland. As part of the Master Plan, the site has become a public urban park comprising a playground, playful water features, amenities, local artwork, terraced landscaping, and places for shade and outdoor seating.

As part of the design response, the architects drew on and incorporated multiple influences from nearby sites, natural landscapes, and local industries which combined to form the overall composition of the two-story public building.

The 300 sqm building features a public landing on the lower ground level, while the main concourse accommodates a modern restaurant serving fresh seafood and seasonal produce. 
Additionally, the design also draws on the local vernacular forming a direct relationship with the quintessential ‘Queenslander’, with its large overhanging roof providing solar shading while allowing for uninterrupted views of the natural landscape.

The building’s linear shape and industrial aesthetic draw heavily from the steel Fitzroy Bridge to the North, while Mount Archer’s mining history inspired the form of the rich, earthy colour scheme.

The natural materials palette of stone, timber, metal, and glass allowed local craftsmen to assemble elements by hand using traditional methods. Profiled weathered metal 'blades' flank the building and allow for views of the surrounding 19-hectare parkland while providing respite from the sun’s heat.

The 'breezeway' as the name suggests allows cool breezes to flow through and ventilate the building naturally, while the building’s vertical lift responds to the location’s subtropical climates and flood-prone coast, acting as they way-finder to the site, alluding to the masts of ships.

Clad in Corten steel, the lift's robust exterior reflects the rich tones of the landscape and the history of copper, gold and silver mining in the area.

Solar panels on the roof generate green electricity which is fed back into the local power grid, while electric vehicle charging and bicycle maintenance stations are available throughout the park.

<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/150193_n11_screenhd.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The design draws on the local vernacular and landscape. Image: Florian Groehn"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/150193_n11_screenhd.jpg?itok=vZoRH4G_" title="The design draws on the local vernacular and landscape. Image: Florian Groehn" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The design draws on the local vernacular and landscape. Image: Florian Groehn</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
Rockhampton Riverside Precinct has become a destination for everyone to visit, occupy and enjoy. The vision of restoring the energy from the gold period has been realised along with the aim to provide the people of Rockhampton with a world-class civic and recreational space.

The finished design delivers over 30,000 m2 of public space, tripling the amount of civic and open space that previously existed.

Putting people at the centre of the design process is always where we start, and this is exactly the outcome we planned for – creating a special place for community gathering and to drive a groundswell of local pride in the city.

- Mark Damant, Woods Bagot Principal
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Urbis worked with Rockhampton Regional Council on the redevelopment of the Riverside Precinct, a world-class waterfront area on the shores of Queensland’s Fitzroy River. 

The design incorporates playground areas, river lookouts, shaded walkways and gathering spaces. A streetscape along iconic Quay Street integrates the city’s edge with the riverbank parklands.

(The) design will revitalise and activate Rockhampton’s iconic riverside precinct by establishing a high quality realm space that will be widely celebrated and used by the community. 

- Urbis
</blockquote>

 
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Woods Bagot and Urbis revitalise Rockhampton Riverside precinct

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The latest Urbis data on new apartment supply indicates the Brisbane market registered a big drop in apartment approvals during the first quarter.
It was down from 2686 in the previous quarter to just 306 new approved apartments.
The number of new Brisbane apartment projects launched plummeted to just 12 in 2017 compared with 57 in 2016.
Urbis director of property economics and research, Mark Dawson, said it was "clear the market is self-regulating".
"Though launches have slowed. the appetite for quality new apartment product is still there, and with the right mix of product, price and marketing, developers are able to successfully launch new developments to the public" he told Fairfax Media.
<div>
Debt investment manager MaxCap Group recently took over Invesco's debt in AMP's Skytower apartment project in Brisbane.
The US funds giant Invesco lent about $160 million in 2016 to develop the city's next tallest tower where the first stage of apartments is currently settling.
The tower will rise 90 storeys with 1128 apartments.
MaxCap's newly appointed investment director for NSW, QLD, ACT Eddie Law said the lender had confidence in the Brisbane apartment market.
</div>
<div>
"From a supply perspective, we are seeing a number of projects in the pipeline being pushed back or put on hold.
"New apartment completions appear to have peaked last year, with a reduced forward pipeline helping to stabilise apartment prices."
MaxCap's Eddie Law said the price of Brisbane apartments also remained affordable relative to other cities.
</div>
<div>"Average median apartment prices in Brisbane are 80 per cent more affordable than Sydney apartments and 37 per cent more affordable than Melbourne apartments."</div>
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Brisbane new apartment approvals see big drop in supply

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As far back as 2015, there was a discernible shift in buyer sentiment throughout Melbourne's apartment market.

Articles over the course of 2015 <a href="/news/is-melbournes-apartment-boom-concentrated-in-the-inner-city">here</a>, <a href="/news/buyer-sentiment-what-the-market-is-telling-us">here</a> and <a href="/news/bellers-andrew-fawell-on-the-spring-property-market-and-prevailing-trends">here</a> from a variety of industry voices, combined with Apartments.com.au's accumulation of Project Database information confirmed that an increasing number of Melbourne apartment buyers favoured middle ring suburbs over the traditional CBD, Docklands and Southbank trio.

Industry consultancy Urbis <a href="/news/urbis-quantifies-the-apartment-shift-to-melbournes-middle-and-outer-suburbs">underlined this trend during 2017</a>, quantifying the increased push of apartments into Melbourne's middle and outer ring suburbs. This went hand in hand with investor grade apartment stock ceding to owner-occupied projects.

Now Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials report for the December quarter 2017 once again confirms the continuing trend, albeit in a softer apartment market. Urbis assert that although new apartment project launches have further stagnated, the new sales rate has increased.

Urbis formulated its findings based upon 47 off the plan projects sampled in the December 2017 quarter, amounting to 9,692 apartments, in addition to keeping tabs on the status of 177 actively selling projects around Melbourne.

<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/image96_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Kokoda Property Group's The Mowbray is representative of in demand apartment living"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image96_3.jpg?itok=wvfp0bC8" title="Kokoda Property Group's The Mowbray is representative of in demand apartment living" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Kokoda Property Group's The Mowbray is representative of in demand apartment living</figcaption></figure>Urbis research shows that an expected slowdown in the third quarter of 2017 - due to stamp duty changes - did eventuate, although sales activity increased in the fourth quarter to near equivalent levels in the corresponding 2016 period.

Of the 47 surveyed projects selected from inner and middle Melbourne, 70% of projects managed to sell 70% or more of their available stock. 

Existing stock was moved relatively easily due to the restricted release of new apartment projects across Melbourne. Urbis note that four new projects amounting to 1,828 apartments launched in inner Melbourne during the December quarter, which in terms of total apartment numbers comfortably outpaced the previous quarter.

<h2>Bedroom breakdown</h2>

Unsurprisingly two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments were the most popular product type in the December 2017 according to Urbis, accounting for 47% of sales. Single bedroom apartments with a car park were next in line, accumulating 23% of sales in the quarter.

<blockquote>
 Both of these product types increased from the previous quarter, with fewer two-bedroom, one-bathroom and one-bedroom, zero car park apartments transacting compared to the previous quarter.

Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments were the most popular product type in the Inner East, Inner South, Inner West and middle-ring precincts. However, the Inner North precinct recorded a majority of one-bedroom apartments with a car park and the Central precinct recorded the majority of sales of one-bedroom apartments without a car park.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/meilleur_malvern.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Millieur Malvern's apartment formats target owner occupiers"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="266" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/meilleur_malvern.jpg?itok=z6zjKB_d" title="Millieur Malvern's apartment formats target owner occupiers" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Millieur Malvern's apartment formats target owner occupiers</figcaption></figure><h2>Apartments.com.au analysis</h2>

There are currently 306 apartment projects noted as being at registrations or sales within the Apartments.com.au Project Database.

The trend in recent years has seen a greater number of developers gravitate to Stonnington and Boroondara above all other municipalities, where demand for quality owner-occupier stock as at its greatest. Suburbs such as Hawthorn, Kew, Malvern, Glen Iris and Toorak are all sporting a relatively high number of apartment projects available for purchase.

The overall Stonnington and Boroondara number of projects which are at sales but yet to reach construction stands at 55.

Comparatively Yarra, Moreland and Port Phillip and Moonee Valley combined have 59 apartment projects at sales.

<h2>Urbis Melbourne Apartment Essentials Q4 2017 snapshot</h2>

<ul>
<li>Urbis assessed sales from 47 off the plan projects comprising a total dwelling stock of 9,692 apartments</li>
	<li>In 159 monitored selling projects in Inner Melbourne, over 16,000 apartments are in Presales (48%) and a further 35% have commenced construction.</li>
	<li>Urbis recorded 344 off the plan sales in the December 2017 quarter. Of these, 54% were in the Inner Melbourne area, while 46% were recorded in Melbourne’s middle ring.</li>
	<li>Within Inner Melbourne, 48% of sales were recorded in the Inner North Precinct, followed by the Central Precinct (21% sales), Inner East (18% of sales), Inner West (11% sales) and Inner South (2% sales).</li>
	<li>The weighted average sales price for the December 2017 quarter was $692,592 for the Inner Melbourne precincts and $588,114 for the middle ring.</li>
	<li>Two-bedroom, two-bathroom product accounted for 47% of total sales across Inner and Middle Melbourne, and 40% of total sales in Inner Melbourne (compared to 27% in the previous quarter). One-bedroom apartments across Inner and Middle Melbourne accounted for 35% of total sales, though this quarter a larger majority contained a car park.</li>
	<li>Four new projects amounting to 1,828 apartments launched in Inner Melbourne this quarter, compared to five new projects amounting to 1,119 units in the previous quarter.</li>
</ul>
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silvermb

Urbis affirms Melbourne's affinity with the middle ring

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Rental yields for new apartments in Adelaide City, or the innermost locality of Greater Adelaide,  are beating Melbourne and Sydney, according to the latest Urbis Intelligence Report.
Adelaide City has a unit rental yield of 5.4 per cent, which is 0.9 per cent higher than Metropolitan Adelaide’s average of 4.5 per cent.
Metropolitan Sydney has an average gross yield 3.8 per cent while Metropolitan Melbourne has 4.1 per cent gross yield, according to data sourced from APM PriceFinder.
“Adelaide is very affordable compared to other Australian cities and the yields are also outpacing their eastern seaboard counterparts,” said Alex Stuart, associate director at Urbis.
Stuart added that Adelaide’s CBD apartment market was booming with buyers cashing in on the boom times.
Both owner occupiers and investors are active, with West Franklin witnessing multiple purchases.
The first stage of West Franklin is located on the corner of Elizabeth and Franklin Streets and has 271 apartments spread across two towers of 20 and 18 storeys each.
The project is also close to the bio-medical precinct, China Town and Central Markets, which would mean strong rental demand.
APM PriceFinder’s data also shows that Adelaide City’s new apartment products are attracting significantly higher weekly rental rates.  
The median weekly rental rate for new one and two bedroom apartments are higher than existing apartments.
For a one-bedroom unit, the median weekly rental rate is $380 per week, which is 21 per cent higher than an existing one bedroom apartment ($315).
Similarly, new two-bedroom apartments have a median rental of $460, well above the $430 for existing apartments.
“Over the past five years, the new apartment market in Adelaide has been strong with population growth having helped underpin demand in the inner city,” Stuart added, pointing to a trend towards higher density living. 
Jobs are increasingly located in the city centre which is where professionals like to live.
Residential facilities in the podium area, adjoining the two towers include a wet edged pool, gym, a landscaped barbecue area exclusive cinema and shared library/office.
The north tower’s level 20 boasts a roof top terrace and bar, indoor/outdoor seating and fireplace for residents.
Construction is underway with Stage one due to be completed early 2019.
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New apartments in Adelaide CBD area fetch higher rental yields than Sydney, Melbourne

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Melbourne's apartment market is showing signs of maturing, with more new sales occurring outside the CBD than in the city centre.
It was for the first time, the latest figures from consultancy Urbis show.
As many as 267 unit sales, or 58 per cent of the March quarter's total, were in the middle ring of the Victorian capital.
Within the city's inner ring most sales were outside the central precinct, Urbis's Melbourne Apartment Essentials Q1 2017 report calculated.
One-bedroom, one-bathroom, one-car product accounted for 18% of total sales.
The advisory noted Victoria has undershot NSW in the number of new apartments over the past decade.
The southern state approved 227,500 new units over the decade to April while north of the border the equivalent figure was 255,150.
Melbourne's apartment boom has been more concentrated in the city centre while Sydney's growth has always been more dispersed across the metropolitan area.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/10/MelbActiveSupply.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/10/MelbActiveSupply.png" alt="">
Uris suggest the picture in Melbourne is changing.
"Apartment living is no longer just for CBD dwellers," said Urbis director of property economics and research Mark Dawson.
"Moonee Ponds, Heidelberg and Footscray are all markets that we have seen emerge over the past few years."
Mr Dawson expects project launches, and sales volumes, to drop back as the market continues to self-regulate.
“We expect to see fewer project launches which will ensure the market maintains a healthy balance of supply and demand.”
“Of the projects we monitor, 82% of stock has been sold.
"At this stage of the market it is not about a large reduction in sales or drop in price, but a change in the type of sales we are seeing and where apartments are selling.”  
The apartment spread is changing within inner-city Melbourne as well. Sales in suburbs, such as Carlton in the inner north, exceeded those in the city's centre for the first time, the report also shows.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/10/MelbQtrPrice.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/10/MelbQtrPrice.png" alt="">
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"Precincts like the inner north, which captured 43 per cent of total inner Melbourne sales, are well set up for apartment living," Dawson said. "They provide residents with easy access to transport and neighbourhood character, as well as an affordable entry-point to the market."
Melbourne apartment sales are down, Urbis said.
Four new projects launched during the quarter, for a total 1471 units, while a year earlier 2878 units were launched across 14 projects.
The average weighted sales price of apartments in the March quarter gained $44,476 from December to $706,391, boosted by an increase in the proportion of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments. This reflected a growing demand by owner-occupiers compared with investors, Mr Dawson said.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

New apartment sales in Melbourne suburbs beat CBD deals: Urbis 

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Property consultants Urbis in their latest Melbourne Apartment Essentials report have provided hard data affirming what many at the coal face of Melbourne's apartment industry have known for some time; apartments have well and truly established themselves in Melbourne middle and outer ring suburbs.

What wasn't known was the degree to which apartment living has taken root in traditionally detached housing areas.

According to Urbis, the March 2017 quarter saw for the first time apartment sales outside the inner city outweigh the more established inner city zone. That is, 58% of apartment sales were registered outside the inner city; a first since Urbis began the Melbourne Apartment Essentials series.

<blockquote>
Apartment living is no longer just for CBD dwellers, and precincts like the Inner North, which captured 43% of total inner Melbourne sales, are well set up for apartment living. They provide residents with easy access to transport and neighbourhood character, as well as an affordable entry-point to the market.

Moonee Ponds, Heidelberg and Footscray are all markets that we have seen emerge over the past few years.
<cite>Mark Dawson, Director of Property Economics and Research, Urbis</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_1671.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Strengthening sales has led to strong a robust suburban apartment construction scene"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="360" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1671.jpg?itok=ss_t0zuM" title="Strengthening sales has led to strong a robust suburban apartment construction scene" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Strengthening sales has led to a robust suburban apartment construction scene</figcaption></figure>According to Dawson, the increase in apartment activity in middle and outer suburbs can be attributed to destination amenity coupled with infrastructure investment. Add a tightening market for suitable inner city development sites, and the trend of apartments pushing further away from Melbourne's core is expected to continue.

Urbis also cites the shift in buyer preferences as being attributable to push and pull factors. Push factors include a mutually reinforcing market push that nudges purchasers and developers beyond their feasibility thresholds to explore new areas. At the same time, Urbis asserts that pull factors revolve around city-wide urban renewal points such as Sunshine and Monash.

Boosts to transport, planning, and investment around National Employment and Innovation Clusters will invariably pull new residents into these designated development zones.

<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/image2_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="M-City is an example of a residential project within a designated Cluster. Image: CBRE"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image2_13.jpg?itok=deb9u4qI" title="M-City is an example of a residential project within a designated Cluster. Image: CBRE" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>M-City is an example of a residential project within a designated Cluster. Image: CBRE</figcaption></figure>Yesterday CBRE announced that M-City in Clayton, an example of a residential project located well beyond the inner city and within a National Employment and Innovation Cluster, had delivered 172 sales over two weekends. The first phase of M-City to go on sale had 175 units in total.

Melbourne Apartment Essentials recorded almost 500 sales from 47 projects in the March 2017 quarter.

Four new projects amounting to 1,471 units launched, whereas the equivalent period last year witnessed 14 developments at 2,878 launch to market. The scaling back of apartment releases is in line with market sentiment, with developers taking a more cautious approach to project releases.

<blockquote>
We expect to see fewer project launches which will ensure the market maintains a healthy balance of supply and demand. Of the projects we monitor, 82% of stock has been sold.

At this stage of the market it is not about a large reduction in sales or drop in price, but a change in the type of sales we are seeing and where apartments are selling. After a more subdued quarter in inner Melbourne, we maintain our expectation of a boost in activity prior to the 1 July stamp duty changes.

<cite>Mark Dawson, Director of Property Economics and Research, Urbis</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_2153.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The recently completed 9 High within Preston is symptomatic of that suburb's growth"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_2153.jpg?itok=9MjCFlC9" title="The recently completed 9 High within Preston is symptomatic of that suburb's growth" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The recently completed 9 High within Preston is symptomatic of that suburb's apartment growth</figcaption></figure><h2>Melbourne Apartment Essentials Q1 2017 snapshot</h2>

The Melbourne Apartment Essentials report found:

<ul>
<li>Urbis recorded just under 500 off the plan sales in the March 2017 quarter. Of these, 42% were in the Inner Melbourne area, while 58% were recorded in Melbourne’s middle ring.</li>
	<li>For the first time since reporting commenced, the majority of inner Melbourne sales were outside of the Central Precinct. The Inner North recorded the most sales (85 sales), followed by the Inner East (53 sales), Central (40 sales), Inner West (17 sales) and Inner South (1 sale).</li>
	<li>The weighted average sales price for the March 2017 quarter was $706,391, a $44,476 increase compared to the December 2016 quarter. This increase was driven by the volume of two-bedroom product selling.</li>
	<li>Two-bedroom, two-bathroom product was the most popular, accounting for 35% of total sales, an increase from 29% in the previous quarter.</li>
	<li>One-bedroom, one-bathroom, one-car product accounted for 18% of total sales.</li>
	<li>Four new projects launched amounting to 1,471 units this quarter, compared to seven projects amounting to 3,741 units at the end of the June 2016 quarter. Launches have decreased as the market self-regulates, although we have been expecting to see a short term rebound to beat the stamp duty changes on 1 July.</li>
</ul>
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