Developer Tian An LFD has been given the green light from the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority to go ahead with its new Chatswood apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hammond-greens-chatswood-5-9-gordon-avenue-chatswood-nsw-2067">Hammond Greens</a>.

The 35-storey mixed-use tower at 5-9 Gordon Avenue, on the edge of the Chatswood Bowls Club, will comprise 91 apartments, 22 of which will be affordable homes managed by Link Wentworth. They will sit above a two-level podium with retail and commercial space.

The plans were upsized from the early 25-storey scheme which proposed 64 apartments, following the Government's new planning provisions under the Housing SEPP that gave developers the opportunity to increase heights and floor place in exchange for an affordable housing component.

&nbsp;

The design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">FJC Studio</a>&nbsp;builds on the concept first presented when the firm won the site’s design competition, describing Hammond Greens as “a unique form of vertical living that belongs on the North Shore - drawing on the vernacular and materiality of suburban living, and integrating native landscaping between the narrow tower forms”.

At ground level, 1,500 sqm of retail and commercial space will activate the podium, supporting a hybrid work environment and creating a stronger connection with the local community. Residents will also have access to an outdoor pool deck, yoga room, golf simulator, and landscaped gardens designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/sturt-noble-landscapes">Sturt Noble Associates</a>.

&nbsp;

Located less than 500 metres from Chatswood Transport Interchange, the project contributes to the suburb’s growing pipeline of high-density development. It joins the likes of Changfa's recently launched The Anderson and Billbergia's Chatswood Grand Residences.

Hammond Greens is the first of two towers Tian is planning in Chatswood. They have a sister project, dubbed Hammond Place, just one street away at 15-19 Nelson Street. That will have around 110 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=142900]

Joel Robinson

Tian An LFD greenlit for Hammond Greens apartments in Chatswood as project launches

The sought-after Latent Defects Insurance policy, offering off the plan apartment buyers peace of mind for 10 years post-completion, has made its way to Sydney’s harbourside. Boutique developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/toohey-miller">Toohey Miller</a> has secured this insurance for its newly launched Elizabeth Bay development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/barncleuth-square-elizabeth-bay-4-4a-barncleuth-square-elizabeth-bay-nsw-2011">Barncleuth</a>. This marks the developer’s second project in the area, following the success of No. 1 Onslow Place.

Latent Defects Insurance, offered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/resilience-latent-defects-insurance">Resilience Insurance</a>, provides cover for structural or waterproofing defects in new apartment buildings. It is a policy that only the developer or builder can take out, not the apartment purchaser.

Located just&nbsp;off Macleay Street, one of Sydney’s most desirable high streets, Barncleuth offers a rare collection of only 10 residences. With just two per floor, each oversized floorplan has been designed by SJB specifically for the owner-occupier.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140184 project_image_fid=356342]

The five-storey building captures views over Rushcutters Bay and Paddington, blending contemporary brickwork with the expressive silhouettes of its Art Deco neighbours.

Inside, the residences, designed by David Hicks, prioritise generous scale and enduring quality, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom layouts. Expansive terraces and cross-ventilated interiors maximise light and airflow, while sustainable features such as a green roof and locally sourced materials reflect SJB’s commitment to long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140184 project_image_fid=356341]

Developer Toohey Miller, led by Nick Couloumbis, says the design aims to bring lasting quality to an area long celebrated for its apartment heritage.

"It's a stone's throw from the best restaurants in Sydney. Some people call it the Soho of Sydney," Couloumbis told Apartments.com.au when the project was approved.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140184 project_image_fid=356337]

By securing <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/resilience-latent-defects-insurance">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance</a>, Barncleuth joins a growing group of premium Sydney projects adopting the gold standard in building protection.&nbsp;

The cover, provided before construction begins, ensures any hidden structural or waterproofing defects are repaired immediately, without lengthy litigation or fault disputes.

Resilience Insurance CEO Corey Nugent said the product has been a catalyst for renewed confidence in the off the plan market.&nbsp;

“Ultimately what we’re trying to do is build better buildings consumers can trust. When buyers take possession, they have full insurance protection from day one, for 10 years,” Nugent explained.

Unlike traditional policies such as strata or construction insurance, Resilience LDI is a first-resort, strict liability policy, meaning repairs are covered immediately without needing to prove negligence. Coverage extends to foundations, load-bearing walls, and waterproofing, the elements most critical to long-term structural integrity.

Regarded construction firm Jasara has been appointed to deliver Barncleuth. They are forecasting an early 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140184]

Toohey Miller brings 10-year Latent Defects Insurance to Elizabeth Bay as Barncleuth apartments launch

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/golden-sedayu">Golden Sedayu</a> has unveiled plans for the next phase of its landmark $4 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/burswood-point-saintly-entrance-burswood-wa-6100">Burswood Point</a> project, just 3.5km from the Perth CBD at the Belmont Racecourse site.

The Local Development Plan Application has been lodged for a world-class mixed-use hub (Precinct B) on the previously untouched 2.5km stretch of Swan River foreshore.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings &amp; Merrill (SOM), recognised for their work on the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the One World Trade Centre in New York, Precinct B will feature 15 buildings, offering a mix of residential and commercial spaces including a shopping centre up to 30,000 sqm in size.

Complementing this, an internationally acclaimed five-star hotel, and a high-end pedestrian-friendly retail boulevard with vibrant day-and-night retail, dining, and entertainment venues, will provide exciting new ways for Perth residents to connect with the riverfront.

This latest milestone signals continued construction and expansion momentum across Perth’s premier riverfront community, which is set to attract local, national and international visitors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=142314 project_image_fid=263304]

The masterplan features 110,000 sqm of public open space, which is comparable to other Perth landmarks including inner-city Langley Park and South Perth foreshore. The riverside precinct will be brought to life through a visionary landscape concept by globally renowned architectural practice Grant Associates.

With an impressive international portfolio, including Gardens by the Bay and Funan Mall in Singapore and Barangaroo South in Sydney, the firm brings expertise in creating environments that harmonise with surrounding amenity.

At 38 hectares, Burswood Point is one of the largest urban development projects ever undertaken in Australia, and one of Perth’s most transformative mixed-use developments.

Golden Sedayu Managing Director Andrew Sugiaputra said the company was working closely with SOM, Grant Associates and the Government of Western Australia to ensure Burswood Point’s design responds sensitively to its surroundings, reflecting and enhancing the character, history, and natural features of the local environment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=142314 project_image_fid=1817]

“West Australians enjoy a privileged outdoor lifestyle and the Swan River is central to their enjoyment,"&nbsp;Sugiaputra said.

"We’re proud to be creating something truly spectacular and unique for the city, a place that feels alive from sunrise to sunset, a place where people can stay, shop, dine, and celebrate life on the river."

Precinct B builds on the outstanding success of Burswood Point’s first residential stage, which has been met with exceptional market demand. Somerset Residences, a two- tower luxury apartment development, and the exclusive riverfront homes collection are under construction and selling fast. As the number of Perth houses listed for sale remain at or near record lows, Burswood Point will deliver 4,500 new homes over the next 10 years.

“Golden Sedayu is dedicated to delivering on our promises,"&nbsp;Sugiaputra added.

"Our clients can buy with confidence, knowing that the price is fixed throughout construction. In an industry that has faced challenging market conditions, we’re proud to provide our clients complete peace of mind and confidence in the value of their investment."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=142314]

Golden Sedayu reveals next 15 buildings in Perth's $4 billion Burswood Point precinct

Rising at the base of The Remarkables,&nbsp;diversified New Zealand developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>'s Mountain Oak Apartments presents a foothold in Frankton, one of Queenstown’s most dynamic and fast-growing locales.&nbsp;

Surrounded by soaring alpine scenery and year-round tourism drawcards, Mountain Oak Apartments is a masterplanned precinct that perfectly balances accessibility with lifestyle amenity.

<img alt="Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Frankton has emerged as a strategic growth zone just seven kilometres from Queenstown’s CBD, popular among both residents and investors for its proximity to the airport, the region’s two premier ski fields, Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, and an expanding network of shops, services, and recreation options. The apartments enjoy immediate access to the popular Market Street dining hub, as well as Five Mile Shopping Centre and the seasonal Remarkables Market, where locals gather for fresh produce and artisan goods.

The location also places residents near the gateway to South Island adventures. Scenic trails, golf courses, and Lake Wakatipu’s edge are within easy reach, while the historic village of Arrowtown, renowned for its preserved gold rush-era charm and walking routes, is a short drive away. Local transport connectivity is supported by the nearby airport and arterial roads, ideal for frequent travellers and short-term guests alike.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Living_WEB.jpg?VersionId=3LglY20Jp_MAzQYdvwODRWvtjL.cZcqI" />

Tourism-driven demand underpins strong investment fundamentals in Queenstown, with a noted shortage of short- and long-term accommodation stock. Mountain Oak’s 365-day visitor accommodation consent directly addresses this need, offering a rare opportunity to serve Queenstown’s dual population of holidaymakers and hospitality workers.

Construction of the 141 residences began in June 2025, with completion anticipated by mid-2027. Apartments range from one-bedroom to penthouses, with pricing from NZ$639,000. Dual-key options and low-maintenance finishes support a flexible rental model with strong gross return potential.

Staff Writer

From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown

Deicorp is doubling down in the Hills Showground Station Precinct, the rapidly growing area surrounding the Castle Hill Metro and one of the state’s largest transit-oriented urban renewal sites.

Having launched Hills Showground Village several years ago, and now about 70 per cent through its build, Deicorp has brought another mini-masterplan to market just a few streets away.

The developer has now released the first of 873 residences in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/showground-pavilions-castle-hill-3-andalusian-way-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Showground Pavilions</a>, five new buildings located just 500 metres from the Metro, which connects Castle Hill residents to Martin Place in around 37 minutes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150067 project_image_fid=351416]

The mix includes one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a limited release of garden terrace homes with studies.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner Studio</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a>, the residences are configured around a network of landscaped courtyards and podium-level gardens, with additional rooftop terraces offering views across the district.&nbsp;Communal amenities include a 3,500 sqm public park, playgrounds, shaded seating areas and walking and cycling paths.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150067 project_image_fid=351416]

Interiors feature flexible layouts with oversized living areas, deep balconies, SMEG kitchen appliances and floor-to-ceiling glass to maximise light and airflow.&nbsp;

Many apartments include a study space, while select residences offer private outdoor areas. A total of 44 apartments have been designated as affordable housing for key workers, such as nurses, teachers and police officers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150067 project_image_fid=351413]

On top of its strong connectivity to the city, Deicorp has delivered significant new amenity to the area. The developer recently opened the 9,500sqm, four-level retail precinct at Hills Showground Village, which includes 26 specialty retailers and a 1,400sqm public plaza, creating a new community hub for shopping, dining, fitness, and everyday convenience. Castle Towers, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres, is also just one Metro stop away.

Between Hills Showground Village and Showground Pavilions, Deicorp is delivering more than 1,300 new homes to the rapidly growing Castle Hill precinct, representing a $2 billion investment in the suburb.

Showground Pavilions is one of several Metro-linked projects in Deicorp’s pipeline, joining developments at Tallawong Village, Zetland, Five Dock, Macquarie Park and Crows Nest.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150067]

Deicorp expands Castle Hill footprint with Showground Pavilions launch

Virtual Reality

Apartment developers have been praised by the RBA for being among the businesses that successfully adjusted their sales practices during the pandemic.

RBA assistant governor Luci Ellis said on Wednesday that apartment developers had been among businesses that had adjusted&nbsp;to lockdowns and other restrictions on activity.

She noted the pandemic had accelerated existing trends to online.

&quot;Online delivery stretches beyond retail,&quot; she noted, adding that the property developer contacts in the RBA liaison program had indicated &quot;they have increased online services and plan to continue with these services.&quot;

&quot;This pattern is apparent in a range of industries, from telehealth and online learning, to construction and property development firms using virtual walk-throughs in place of in-person inspections.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2905 project_image_fid=162743]

&quot;And although business travel is unlikely to disappear completely, many contacts expect to be more selective about whether in-person meetings are needed,&quot; she said.

Ellis added that the RBA&#39;s move to working from home also entailed switching to liaison by phone and videoconference.

She said the efficiencies of the change facilitated the increased tempo the RBA implemented to keep on top of &quot;more and more frequent discussions&quot; to ascertain what was happening during the pandemic.

&quot;More recently, we have scaled back the tempo to something more &lsquo;normal&rsquo;, and resumed in-person visits in some cases.&nbsp;

&quot;But we plan to continue with a mix of in-person and online meetings,&quot; she said.

Ellis concluded the lasting effects of the pandemic &quot;on where and how we live will touch all of us, directly and indirectly.&quot;

&quot;And they will have implications for housing construction, urban planning, transport and the provision of social services and infrastructure.

&quot;At the same time, we need to be mindful that some of the shifts going on could in part be temporary.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4939 project_image_fid=152578]

&quot;For example, the border closures have paused immigration, which especially affects Australia&#39;s 2 largest cities.&nbsp;

&quot;And internal migration to Melbourne declined during the extended Victorian lockdown last year.

&quot;Those flows are likely to resume as borders open and restrictions ease, though perhaps at different rates to previous years.&nbsp;

&quot;Similarly, while many of the people moved out of larger population centres to escape the virus, or the lockdowns, some of them might return to their previous locations over time.

&quot;It is difficult to disentangle these transitory effects from the more lasting ones.&nbsp;

&quot;There will be at least some cases of people moving further out from the city centre, because long commutes will not seem so unpleasant if you only need to do it a couple of days a week.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29048 project_image_fid=151677]

&quot;And where full-time working from home is possible, &lsquo;work from home&rsquo; really starts to mean &lsquo;work from anywhere&rsquo;.&nbsp;

&quot;So for some it has been possible to move to an entirely different population centre.

&quot;These bigger changes are almost certainly going to affect only a minority of the population.&nbsp;

&quot;But there will be some shifts, at least at the margin, which could alter patterns of relative growth.&nbsp;

&quot;These could matter for plans for urban expansion and the provision of new infrastructure, even if the distribution of population doesn&#39;t shift wholesale,&quot; Ellis said.

Her speech, titled, Lessons and Lasting Effects of the Pandemic was&nbsp;to the Ai Group, Adelaide.

The reference to property development firms using virtual walk-throughs came in a speech from RBA assistant governor Luci Ellis

jchancellor

RBA lauds apartment developers using virtual walk-throughs in place of in-person inspections

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Noosa real estate agency Reed &amp; Co. Estate Agents have released a wave of new online virtual home tours as part of their effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The tours are live and in 360 degrees for a full viewing experience.
Reed &amp; Co. owner and principal, Adrian Reed, said his company offers buyers the ability to freeze frame, zoom in, and ask questions to the agent in real-time at any time of the day, all from the comfort of their home.
Mr Reed predicts that some would feel the pull of Noosa, "as people start to really assess where they want their best days to be spent."
"We have been creating beautiful property films with the support from Luke Soanes Media for years. They play a critical role when you are selling prestige property. This is the next step to enable a virtual experience in the current environment," he said
"Given we have only started rolling out virtual inspections in the last 24 hours and we have booked 7 private virtual inspections, it is safe to say that there is an appetite from the market to find their dream home."
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While the housing market is set to experience a turbulent time over the next few months, Reed &amp; Co. expect this to have an excellent take-up by both buyers and sellers alike.
An example can be seen here in this <a href="https://youtu.be/xUS8bFACFQ4" target="_blank">introductory video produced by Luke Soanes</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Reed & Co. Estate Agents release virtual reality home tours to curb coronavirus

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Imagine being able to explore your new apartment, move your furniture around, and change the entire design palette at the click of a button. Thanks to the innovative technology of Virtual Reality (VR) and the talented team behind BVN REAL, apartment floorplans are being brought to life, with several buyers already trialing the product.

The cutting-edge new VR production studio named BVN REAL is a subsidiary business of <a href="/architects/bvn-architecture">award-winning architectural design firm BVN</a> and is led by creative director Barry Dineen and a team of highly skilled Game Developer Designers, 3D Visualisation Artists, VR Experience Developers, and Experience Designers. The product took four years to build and has already won the coveted 'Unreal Award' in 2018 (prior to the public launch) as well as receiving two other nominations in The AEC Excellence Awards.

<blockquote>
“Right now, people need to interpret, imagine, and visualise their future home using architectural drawings, plans, and 3D renders of the space. With VR they can actually step into their future for themselves and feel what it is like to be there. 

Our VR experiences give people the confidence to know that what they are seeing is exactly what they are going to get. It’s building trust and reducing the risk involved in one of the biggest purchases of buyers lives.”
</blockquote>

Barry Dineen, Creative Director at BVN REAL 

<div class="intrinsic">
<div class="intrinsic-inner">
<iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" id="yui_3_17_2_1_1573710549547_74" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/312440113?app_id=122963&amp;wmode=opaque" width="650"></iframe>
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BVN REAL creative director Barry Dineen humbly acknowledged that although previous iterations of the technology were not taken to immediately, perseverance and user research led the team to focus in on how people authentically engage with VR.

<blockquote>
“The result is a powerfully immersive experience designed expressly for human interaction. A lot of developers and sales teams have dismissed VR because they tried a VR experience that was not designed with human behaviour at its core. When they try BVN REAL’s experiences there is an “ah-ha” moment where they see the true potential for VR for themselves.”
</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/bvn_real_immersive.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Users experiencing VR in the studio"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/bvn_real_immersive.jpg?itok=1y6l8TwQ" title="Users experiencing VR in the studio" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Users experiencing VR in the studio</figcaption></figure>INTUITIVE FEATURES INTEGRATED WITHIN BVN REAL

<ol>
<li>Users can instantly move between different apartment configurations and floorplans to compare options on offer</li>
	<li>Users have the ability to configure the space in real-time
	<blockquote>
	“Our experiences allow them to try out different materials and finishes options, change out furniture and fittings to their taste, or even strip it back to the empty shell so that they can get a better feeling for the space itself.”
	</blockquote>

	Barry Dineen, Creative Director at BVN REAL
	</li>
	<li>A realistic sunlight system enables users to experience the property at all times of the day</li>
	<li>All elements of the apartments virtually function the way they would in real life
	<blockquote>
	“A major goal of any VR experience is presence – feeling like you are actually in that place. When a user tries to turn on a tap and the tap does nothing, they are reminded that they are in a virtual environment. 

	We want the technology to disappear so that they can truly appreciate the design of a space. At first adding running taps felt like a novelty but over time we have grown to realise the importance of reacting to people’s input.”
	</blockquote>

	Barry Dineen, Creative Director at BVN REAL

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</li>
	<li>BVN REAL experiences are often ‘multiplayer’ because people feel more relaxed and comfortable when sharing the virtual experience with another real person. Currently, an avatar is used to represent those in the VR simulation with you
	<blockquote>
	“Realistically not many people are buying apartments on their own so we are trying to replicate what would happen if the apartment already existed. People walk around together a discuss the features and amenities. What really amazes us in our VR experiences is how many important conversations happen in the bathroom - even when the VR is situated on the 83rd floor of Sydney’s highest residential building with amazing views over the city.”
	</blockquote>

	Barry Dineen, Creative Director at BVN REAL

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</li>
	<li>Sales agents can join in at any stage to answer any questions live from within the VR simulation</li>
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HOW VR CAN PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY IN THE OFF-THE-PLAN MARKET

In concurrence with Barry Dineen’s sentiment about VR giving buyers the ability to see a home before they buy it, BVN Co-CEO Neil Logan explains that it also helps provide more transparency and helps advocate for better built outcomes.

<blockquote>
“VR has radically changed the way we communicate design. What was once opaque to many is now transparent and easily digestible. It has facilitated better understanding of design intent and has provided the opportunity for better built outcomes. 

We are proud to make this service available to broader markets. In doing this we believe that we are contributing to the design of a better future”.
</blockquote>

BVN co-CEO Neil Logan

<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/penthouse_hero.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Penthouse apart VR "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="426" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/penthouse_hero.jpg?itok=GpWjXi6N" title="Penthouse apart VR " width="680"></a>

<figcaption>Penthouse apart VR</figcaption></figure>WHAT’S INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OF A VIRTUAL WALKTHROUGH

A typical 3-bedroom apartment takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks to develop. Often architects will use BIM to build their designs in 3D, making it easier to prepare each design component for the gaming software used to create the virtual reality experience (BVN REAL use Unreal Engine from Epic Games).

Designers will also supply the BVN REAL team with imagery of the fixtures, finishes, and furniture, which will be used to populate the VR design.

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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF BVN REAL LOOK LIKE?

Virtual Reality’s capabilities extend far beyond unbuilt architecture. Not only is BVN REAL exploring VR within our current reality, but also within purely virtual worlds that will never exist in our own. In the past, the team has created Makerspaces which allow school students to build and launch full-size rockets.

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Creative Director Barry has grand ideas for the future of BVN REAL, such as developing the world’s largest museum/gallery.

<blockquote>
“I really want to develop the worlds biggest museum/gallery as a virtual place that people can visit that allows us to do things and see things that we could never do or see in the real world – and it would be accessible to everyone.”
</blockquote>

Barry Dineen, Creative Director at BVN REAL 

We look forward to following the progress of BVN REAL’s exciting future developments with the VR architecture space.

 

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Olivia Round

Introducing BVN REAL: Off-the-plan virtual reality house viewings are here

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EXPERT OBSERVERS
As virtual reality technology improves, it creates new opportunities for travellers seeking new experiences. This is the latest instalment of our <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/tourism-and-technology-60904" target="_blank">series</a> exploring how technology is changing tourism.
Tourism is often about seeking deeper emotional and personal connections with the world around us. It’s a quintessential part of the “<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0047287507304039" target="_blank">experience economy</a>”, creating memories that can be recalled, re-lived and re-shared for a <a href="https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/TR-03-2017-0041" target="_blank">lifetime</a>.
But not all travel experiences take place in the real world. With the evolution of virtual reality (VR) technology, tourism is increasingly a mash-up of physical and virtual worlds. VR can even remove the need to travel entirely.
Excessive tourism, or over-tourism, in popular destinations can degrade heritage sites, the quality of life of host communities, and the experience of visitors. Virtual reality not only offers alternative forms of access to threatened <a href="https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=3167974" target="_blank">locations</a>, it also recreates historical experiences and provides virtual access to remote locations you might not make it to otherwise.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/240186/original/file-20181011-72133-pgadsr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/240186/original/file-20181011-72133-pgadsr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> Up to 6,000 people were visiting Maya Bay every day before it was closed to tourists. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/maya-bay-phi-leh-island-thailand-128142050?src=qbfXg2R67vydk-u6AmL41w-1-9" target="_blank">Shutterstock</a>
<h2>Evoking a sense of ‘being there’</h2>
Our brains seem to have an inbuilt VR-like mechanism that enables us to live <a href="https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/TR-03-2017-0041" target="_blank">imagined experiences</a>. Much of our waking life is spent thinking about either the past (retrospection) or the future (prospection). This is known as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3815569/" target="_blank">mind wandering</a>.
During these events we’re not paying attention to the current world around us. Instead, we’re recalling memories, or creating and processing imagined futures.
When we’re engaged in mind wandering, our brains process and appraise mental images via the same <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500.2017.1388770?journalCode=rcit20" target="_blank">neural pathways</a> they use to receive stimuli from the real world. So, the imagined past or future can evoke emotions and feelings similar to how we react to everyday life.
VR can elicit these same feelings. Virtual worlds use sensory stimulation and vivid imagery to generate authentic experiences. Immersion in these environments <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500.2017.1388770?af=R&amp;journalCode=rcit20" target="_blank">can lead to a deeper understanding</a> of a place or event than simply reading about it or looking at pictures.
There is evidence virtual reality can create absorption, or a state of attention, leading to a sense of “<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322112864_Determining_Visitor_Engagement_through_Augmented_Reality_at_Science_Festivals_An_Experience_Economy_Perspective" target="_blank">presence</a>” or “<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312046962_Virtual_Reality_and_Attitudes_Toward_Tourism_Destinations" target="_blank">being there</a>”. After a tourism VR experience of the Great Barrier Reef, for example, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500.2017.1388770?af=R&amp;journalCode=rcit20">participants reported experiencing</a> a sense of relaxation, similar to that gained from travel in real life.
<h2>What VR tourism looks like</h2>
<h3>Choosing a destination</h3>
Immersive videos of Australian holiday destinations created by Tourism Australia have been viewed more than 10.5 million times over the past two years. Research conducted by <a href="http://www.tourism.australia.com/content/dam/assets/document/1/6/y/7/t/2003897.pdf" target="_blank">Tourism Australia</a> shows that almost 20% of consumers have used VR to choose a holiday destination, while about 25% plan to use VR to choose a future destination. There is evidence VR can sometimes <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314949464_Understanding_Virtual_Reality_in_Marketing_Nature_Implications_and_Potential" target="_blank">surpass reality</a>, potentially leading the participant to choose an alternate destination.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t88g8sZaVi4?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe> A 360 degree video of Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
<h3>Sustainability</h3>
In March, Thai authorities closed sections of the famous Maya Bay (which featured in Hollywood movie The Beach) because over-tourism threatened coral reefs. VR could offer experiences of locations like this without impacting the natural environment. It could also help support capacity management at “bucket list” destinations, such as Machu Picchu. But if VR is too effective at reducing visitation, alternate forms of income for local people need to be developed to support economic viability.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RhQY6sKmEo0?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe> Visiting Machu Picchu.
<h3>Historical recreations</h3>
In 2018, the Australian War Memorial brought the <a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/hamelvr" target="_blank">Battle of Hamel</a> to virtual life using 3D and 360 degree video. Designers of the A$100 million Sir John Monash Centre in Villers-Bretonneux, France used immersive video, interactive touch screens and historical relics to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/sir-john-monash-world-war-i-recreation-so-real-it-will-make-you-cry-20180422-p4zazg" target="_blank">recreate the soldiers’ experience</a> on the Western Front during WWI. Similar work is being completed in regional Australia to recreate life on a US Airbase on “the Brisbane Line” – Australia’s controversial last point of defence in WWII.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GlNPUZbccrQ?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe> Audiences can immerse themselves in the key action fought on 4 July 1918 on the Western Front via VR.
<h3>Access to remote areas</h3>
Wildlife watching can elicit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6AiIK2huHU" target="_blank">feelings</a> of empathy, surprise, novelty, even fear. It can also generate excitement, stimulation, entertainment and learning. But government regulation, cost, remoteness and seasonality of migratory patterns may limit opportunities for people to encounter some of the awe-inspiring creatures on our planet. Virtual immersion can offer alternatives that support conservation goals and provide transformative visitor experiences.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JApQBIsCK6c?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe> Birdly is a flight simulator that uses arm holsters and 3D goggles to give a person the feeling of a bird soaring above ground.
<h2>Enhancing health and wellbeing</h2>
VR tourism could also help to increase health and well-being. Long working hours can lead to anxiety and depression. Research demonstrates <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1467358416638918" target="_blank">immersion in the outdoors</a> encourages relaxation, rejuvenation, expectation, surprise, trust in oneself, and improved self-esteem that can contribute to reduced symptoms. Short breaks using tourism-based VR experiences can mirror these effects and improve health.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZW3AiBjuH08?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe> Tourists encounter whales in the wild and are treated to a spectacular display.
New possibilities for VR <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517709001332" target="_blank">applications</a> – both practical and pleasurable – are emerging as the technology evolves. And as travellers seek new and novel experiences, combining virtual with real world experiences may become a common feature of tourism in the future.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/101258/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vikki-schaffer-531166" target="_blank">Vikki Schaffer</a>, Program Co-ordinator and Lecturer, Tourism, Leisure and Event Management, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068" target="_blank">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alexandra-bec-541089" target="_blank">Alexandra Bec</a>, Postdoctoral research fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068" target="_blank">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brent-d-moyle-541088" target="_blank">Brent D. Moyle</a>, Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Arts Business and Law / A/Professor of Tourism, USC Business, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068" target="_blank">University of the Sunshine Coast</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/noel-scott-282162" target="_blank">Noel Scott</a>, Professor at the Institute of Tourism, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828" target="_blank">Griffith University</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vr-technology-gives-new-meaning-to-holidaying-at-home-but-is-it-really-a-substitute-for-travel-101258" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Can VR technology be a substitute for travel?

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REA Group has constructed a technology and invention space in Melbourne's Richmond to create, trial and launch the newest technologies for consumers to experience property.
REALABS will house a range of new technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, drones and robotics and will become the training centre for the Group’s global graduates, design engineers and product teams. 
Nigel Dalton, chief information officer has been appointed chief inventor.
The role of chief engineer role will replace that of the chief information officer, with a global search to fill the role underway.
REALABS will officially open in November 2016. 
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Former REA Group CIO Nigel Dalton named chief inventor, gifted tech think tank

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Residential listings can now be seen in virtual reality on realestate.com.au with the release of a new app on Google's mobile virtual reality platform Daydream.
The toolkit is built on Matterport’s VR Software Development Kit (SDK) with the number of properties available in VR to increase as the technology is more widely adopted.
Nigel Dalton, REA Group chief inventor said it is Australia’s first property app on Daydream. realestate VR will change the way people experience and interact with property.
"By 2020, most Australian homes will have VR headsets, and we’re confident the leading real estate agents will embrace virtual reality to create a brand new experience for a whole new generation of property seekers," he said.
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"The simplest practical example of virtual reality creating time for people is open for inspections. Instead of mum, partner and the kids running across town to view potential properties, either to purchase or rent, this time-consuming process could now happen in one place in just a matter of minutes.”
Matt Bell, Matterport chief strategy officer said Matterport's VR SDK allows anyone to quickly create VR applications using real-world content, enabling VR to be rapidly adopted across a range of industries.
Realestate VR by realestate.com.au is available in the Google Play Store for use on Daydream View, Google’s mobile VR headset and controller. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/vr/" target="_blank">www.realestate.com.au/vr/</a>
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Realestate.com.au launches virtual reality property app

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A virtual reality entertainment centre will open on the ground floor of Collingwood's medium density apartment complex You And I on the corner of Smith and Mater Street.
That VR Joint  will offer VR movies, games and social VR, and will provide all equipment and gear from Samsung, HTC, Oculus Rift and a GT Ultimate motion simulator chair.
Sal Quah, operations director at ICD Property, said That VR Joint is the first of its kind in Melbourne and will have a great audience in Collingwood.
“One of the main reasons we decided to develop in the area was due to the audience we’d know we’d attract, so it’s great to see retailers identifying the same markets with us and setting up shop to continue the gentrification of the area,” he said.
That VR Joint will be the first and only retailer located on the ground floor of You And I.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

You And I bring virtual reality to Collingwood

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A virtual reality toolkit has been launched to provide VR content creation and production.
Real VR, run by Jason Salter, formerly of Laing+Simmons and Ray White, has an existing agreement in place to provide VR content for Samsung through its affiliation with the global Start VR business.
He said to describe virtual reality as dynamic is an understatement: new applications and products are surfacing every week. 
"Real estate is a natural frontier for VR and Real VR has been established to provide a base for this market on the verge,” he said.
“The market for real estate is becoming increasingly international and the appetite among developers and agents, looking to communicate their products to the market in ways never before possible, is growing. 
“There has always been a disconnect when buying property off-the-plan. No matter how meticulously designed a display apartment might be, until you can offer buyers an immersive experience of a property you are not communicating your value proposition in the purest, most complete way. 
“And you certainly can’t showcase a display apartment to a buyer halfway across the world. 
“Real VR has been established to fill the hole in both the VR and real estate project marketing landscapes by providing the global launchpad for VR in real estate. The writing has been on the wall but only now, with the establishment of Real VR, does VR technology have a clear path for its inevitable march into real estate marketing."
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Virtual reality moving into real estate

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Australian property seekers and daydreamers will soon be able to explore their dream home in virtual reality through realestate VR, realestate.com.au’s virtual reality property app.
Coming soon to Android mobile devices, realestate VR will allow people to tour.
Selected properties on realestate.com.au will soon be available to view in virtual reality, giving real estate agents a key point of difference as they endeavour to make their property stand out from the crowd.
realestate.com.au continues to invest in, and trial new technology.
Nigel Dalton, Chief Information Officer at REA Group, commented that while virtual reality is not a new innovation, they had been trialling and testing its functionality for some time now.
“All you need to do is look at the runaway success of the Pokemon Go app to realise how in demand new technology is.
"We’re confident that both augmented reality and virtual reality will become increasingly useful tools for property seekers when looking for their next home.”
Realestate VR by realestate.com.au will be available in the coming months for download from Android app stores, including Google Daydream and Oculus for Samsung Gear VR.
 
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