The edge of Double Bay village is set for a new apartment building designed by one of Sydney's most sought-after architects.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/luigi-rosselli-architect">Luigi Rosselli </a>is behind the designs of the latest plans on the desk of the Woollahra Council for a new block of 20 apartments across two adjoining sites at 351 and 353 New South Head Road, on the slope down towards the village from the south.

Levels one and two of the new eight-storey building will be dedicated affordable housing.

<img alt="Rosselli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="805cc105-6ad9-4536-92f0-3e43e2a25965" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-18%20at%203.17.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=DFNnNxe1BFFHq919FK.Q5tSXZPkWkAwO" />

The unit mix incorporates one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. Each apartment will be provided with private open space through balconies or terraces. A communal rooftop terrace is also planned.

Architecturally, the design is informed by a desire to bridge the transition between the commercial character of New South Head Road and the lower-scale residential areas behind. The proposal steps back from the street with landscaped setbacks and features a refined material palette.&nbsp;

“The architectural character of the building is contemporary in style and articulated to provide visual interest and respond to the surrounding context,” the Design Statement notes.

<img alt="Rosselli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4316870c-4332-43e6-9424-2787fbba2cd4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-11-18%20at%203.17.44%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=heNnpHYL1xAj7dtWLBDkSQBrx.noZQ3l" />

The project includes basement parking with 23 car spaces, including two accessible bays and dedicated spaces for affordable housing units.

The site sits near significant heritage items, including the State Heritage-listed Overthorpe building next door. Dating back to the early 1900s, Overthorpe was initially&nbsp;part of pastoralist and politician&nbsp;Sir John Hay's garden before being converted into apartments.

Double Bay Village is undergoing a transformation with several new developments, both commercial and residential, under construction and in the pipeline. The most notable is the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/1-billion-intercontinental-hotel-double-bay-approved-for-mixed-use-redevelopment">$1 billion redevelopment of the InterContinental Hotel</a> into a&nbsp;new&nbsp;mixed-use lifestyle destination on Cross Street.

&nbsp;

Staff Writer

First look: Luigi Roselli designs latest plans for Double Bay Village 

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic Property Group</a> has brought forward construction on Madeline by Mosaic, its $270 million, 37-level ultra-luxury tower in Broadbeach, after securing more than $175 million in pre-sales in just three months, the strongest off the plan result recorded on the Gold Coast this year.

Designed in collaboration with Fraser &amp; Partners and built by Mosaic’s in-house construction arm, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/madeline-by-mosaic-22-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Madeline</a> will comprise 59 whole- and half-floor residences, several spanning more than 400 sqm, on a site that secures one of Broadbeach’s last remaining protected ocean-view corridors. &nbsp;An extensive suite of health and wellness amenities, conceived to rival a five-star hotel, will further enhance the resident experience.

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Mosaic has rapidly expanded its Gold Coast presence, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/madeline-by-mosaic-22-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Madeline</a> marking its 13th luxury project in just six years, an unprecedented run of delivery in one of the nation’s most competitive markets.

Marella by Mosaic in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> was completed earlier this year, with Lily by Mosaic, also in Broadbeach, on track for completion in late 2025. Sophia by Mosaic in Palm Beach and Isabel by Mosaic in Burleigh Heads are both advancing their building programs, taking Mosaic’s active Gold Coast construction portfolio to more than $800 million in combined project value. All projects are either sold out or nearing sell-out.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3405]

Beyond the Coast, Mosaic is advancing a South East Queensland pipeline worth more than $2 billion, while already having delivered projects valued at over $2 billion.

Founder and Managing Director Brook Monahan said the success of Madeline is a testament to Mosaic’s ability to consistently meet the market through discipline, evolution, a commitment to quality and a customer-first mindset.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3406]

“Our entire model is built on delivering extremely high quality, assurance and certainty," Monahan says.

"We listen, we adapt, and we learn, and that is why our homes resonate so deeply, why our customers return and refer, and why our projects continue to sell out well ahead of completion. Something we continue to work hard towards maintaining and will never take for granted.

“Madeline brings together rare fundamentals, a prime, protected ocean-view site, generously scaled exquisite residences, no more than two per floor, and genuine design integrity. with the confidence that Mosaic will deliver exactly what we promise.”

Monahan acknowledged that while demand is strong, the construction environment remains highly challenging.

“There is no denying that costs, labour, and capacity are still under real pressure. But our integrated model gives us visibility and control across every stage of delivery, and that is how we continue to navigate those headwinds without compromise to quality or certainty for our customers.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3404]

He stated that in this environment, trust is a crucial factor for buyers.

“With so many projects delayed or withdrawn, buyer confidence has been shaken, and they are making a flight to certainty by rewarding developers with a track record of delivery. Madeline’s success is proof that when people trust the developer, they’re prepared to commit early and with conviction. We’ve never gone back to purchasers asking for more money, and that consistency, built on trust, integrity, and authenticity, is what sets Mosaic apart.”

Monahan, who was recently appointed Chairperson of Queensland’s Residential Tenancies Authority, said Mosaic’s growth has never been about chasing volume but about discipline and clarity of purpose.

“We don’t chase every site or every opportunity, we focus only on those that allow us to deliver enduring value. That discipline is why we’ve been able to grow without compromising quality. We don’t overpromise, we don’t cut corners, and we don’t walk away after completion. That consistency gives our buyers confidence, and it’s why they continue to back us.”

Madeline by Mosaic is expected to be completed in early 2028, with remaining residences priced from $3.5m.

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Joel Robinson

Mosaic fast-tracks construction of Madeline by Mosaic after $175m sales blitz

PQD, a joint venture between Pomeroy Pacific and Quattro Corp, has unveiled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-148-152-riversdale-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, an exclusive collection of just 18 luxury residences, offering resort-style living on a scale rarely seen in boutique developments.&nbsp;

Located on Kooyongkoot Road within <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>’s prestigious Scotch Hill precinct, Kooyongkoot brings together a mix of wellness and lifestyle amenities.&nbsp;Residents will have access to a private wellness centre, including infrared and traditional saunas, a massage and therapy room, cold therapy shower, a yoga and pilates studio, and a fully equipped gym.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355295]

Beyond wellness, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-148-152-riversdale-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> features a curated suite of lifestyle amenities, from an immersive golf simulator with its own guest viewing lounge to a residents’ retreat designed for entertaining. Additional conveniences include a professional-grade car wash, dog wash station, 24/7 parcel lockers, and expansive private storage rooms for every resident.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355296]

"Kooyongkoot represents a shift in how boutique developments are imagined," said Mark Pomeroy, CEO of Pomeroy Pacific.

"We listened closely to what downsizers actually want – not just beautiful interiors, but lifestyle-enhancing amenities without the compromises of high-density living. This is not a project that was simply drawn and delivered. It is the product of dedication, discipline and a desire to create something truly enduring in Hawthorn’s most coveted precinct.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355298]

Designed by award-winning studio <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, the building blends sculptural architecture with refined materiality. Residences feature oak timber floors, natural stone finishes, V-Zug appliances, and extensive custom detailing throughout. Penthouses elevate the experience further, with private lift lobbies, three-meter ceilings, and rooftop terraces with private pools and panoramic views.&nbsp;

Light and airflow were central to the building's design. A four-storey central garden lightcourt draws natural light and fresh air into every corridor, creating openness and calm throughout. The 18 residences span four floors, with two dedicated lift cores providing discreet access and reinforcing a sense of privacy and exclusivity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355289]

"Designing Kooyongkoot was about achieving intimacy without sacrificing luxury," said Chris Stribley, founding partner at Cera Stribley. "We’ve created spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life. Wellness, convenience and calm were essential design principles from the beginning.”&nbsp;

Positioned within walking distance of parklands, private schools, Auburn Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot offers a rare opportunity to reside in one of Hawthorn’s most tightly held residential enclaves, with the ease and amenity of true resort-style living.&nbsp;

The project is currently under construction, with registrations of interest now being accepted.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

PQD unveils Kooyongkoot, resort-style living in the heart of Hawthorn

Builder–developer Deicorp has unveiled yet another new apartment development in Greater Sydney.

This time, they’re breaking into the booming Lower North Shore market for the first time with the launch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a>&nbsp;in Crows Nest.

Named after its location on the corner of Falcon and Alexander Streets, and within walking distance of the Crows Nest Metro, the development has been designed by Turner and will comprise around 212 apartments above a ground-floor retail precinct and a hotel, the latter increasingly forming part of Deicorp’s strategic development mix.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135323 project_image_fid=351943]

The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned around a central atrium and landscaped internal gardens. Higher-level residences will take in views toward Sydney Harbour, while interiors are framed by floor-to-ceiling glazing and finished with a mix of stone, timber and custom joinery.

In addition to the 140 private residences, 48 apartments will be delivered as part of an affordable housing component. A 100-room hotel will occupy the southern corner of the site, with residents accessing a private rooftop garden, dining room, and wellness spaces. Ground-floor activation will include space for cafés and small-scale retail.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135323 project_image_fid=351927]

Deicorp founder Fouad Deiri said the project marks a new step for the group’s portfolio.

“This is a community we deeply respect, and we’re proud to contribute with a project that reflects the character, energy, and potential of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a>,” Deiri said.

“This is an iconic location, and a great location deserves a great design. With Falcon &amp; Alexander, we’re delivering more than just apartments; it will be a new landmark for Crows Next that not only delivers housing but will benefit the community with an activated retail offering."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135323 project_image_fid=351931]

Deicorp went through several design iterations for Falcon &amp; Alexander, clearing hurdles with both the local council and State Government to get the project to where it is now.

The builder–developer has already commenced construction on the building, one of several Deicorp is delivering across Sydney. The company currently has more than 2,000 apartments under construction, with plans for thousands more in the pipeline.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135323]

Deicorp launches Falcon & Alexander, Crows Nest apartments

Gold Coast developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a> has made a strong market debut in Brisbane by selling nearly three-quarter of its recently launched South Brisbane apartment development, Symphony.

Sherpa fielded over 3,000 expressions of interest for the development which forms part of Sherpa's burgeoning Flourish brand, aimed at offering a more affordable entry point for first home buyers than what else is on the market.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/symphony-south-brisbane-21-23-cordelia-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">Symphony</a>, proposed for a prime 1,366sqm site at 21–23 Cordelia Street in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-brisbane-qld-4101">South Brisbane</a>,&nbsp;will deliver 138 apartments across 25 levels, with 25 of the apartments priced under $1 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=5155]

“The affordability that Symphony presents to residential property buyers has created a remarkable level of enquiry for what we believe is a standout project for the South Brisbane market,” said Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet.

“The Flourish brand has been highly successful for us on the Gold Coast, and it’s evident that Brisbane buyers are equally drawn by the quality and amenity that Symphony offers in one of the most vibrant inner-city locations.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=353550]

Sherpa Group has been among the most prolific developers on the Gold Coast in recent years, undertaking 15 projects since 2018.

The company has currently seven projects in Palm Beach, with four of them under the Flourish brand that is delivering affordable beachside luxury for one of the most undersupplied markets on the Gold Coast.

Symphony, which is positioned at the junction of South Bank, West End, and Fish Lane, is located in the heart of Brisbane’s entertainment, dining and leisure precinct. The location also offers exceptional walkability to QPAC, galleries, riverside parklands, the CBD, major universities, hospitals, and transport hubs.

“As our first development for the Brisbane market, we saw this precinct as a strategic location for Sherpa to deliver attainable housing in one of Brisbane’s most connected and culturally vibrant neighbourhoods,” added Leet.

“Our vision for each project is always founded on a sense of community, which is why we have ensured that locals who already know and love this area were prioritised during the early release of Symphony residences.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=351653]

Symphony has attracted strong interest from a range of buyers, including first home buyers, downsizers, local owner-occupiers, and investors.

Building on a solid reputation where 100 per cent of projects have been successfully delivered on the Gold Coast, Sherpa Group enlisted architectural firm HAL to design Symphony - envisaging an "architectural gem with activated street frontage and an array of amenities to rival five-star resorts."

Symphony features an expansive rooftop wellness and recreation area spanning more than 1,400 sqm across two levels, with all amenities designed to foster community, connection and wellbeing among residents.

The rooftop will comprise a heated pool, steam room, saunas, and hot and cold plunge pools; work from home spaces, private treatment room, pool deck cabanas and private outdoor BBQ areas; a private dining room and residents’ lounge; a fully equipped gym and yoga studio; and panoramic views of the Brisbane skyline and Mt Coot-tha.

Symphony buyers are given access to a full-time concierge service to provide off the plan assistance and construction updates; hard-hat tours during construction; and post-settlement move-in and appliance induction support.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7574]

Sherpa locks in $240m of sales at debut Brisbane apartment development Symphony

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 

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<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
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	<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.

 

<div class="rtecenter">BVN IN THE NEWS</div>

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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.
<img src="/images/2016/11/11/realestate%20VR%202.jpg" alt="">
"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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