The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Affordable

<html><body>
OPINION

The exodus to an affordable lifestyle has become the dominant trend in Australian real estate across the nation. 

But many people believe - mistakenly – that this means that Australians are moving en-masse to the beach. 

This speaks to a fundamental misunderstanding of what is meant by the term “lifestyle”.

The reality is that the “lifestyle” means different things to different people – and, as a consequence, Australians are not just moving to the coast. 

Australians are moving in large numbers from the largest cities to some of the smaller capital cities and also to regional areas inland.

Brisbane, Hobart, Darwin, Adelaide – our smaller capital cities are gaining population from this trend, as are inland regional centres like Orange, Tamworth, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Mudgee, Toowoomba, Gympie, Ballarat, Bendigo and Mildura.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90553]

So while coastal locations like the Central Coast in New South Wales and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland have been major beneficiaries, many of the locations getting the biggest uplift are hours away from the nearest beach.

The Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle trend really started with people moving from Melbourne to regional centres in Victoria. This trend has been under way for at least the past 3-4 years.

Many of the suburbs of Ballarat have had double-digit growth in their median house prices in the past year, with Soldiers Hill up 18% and Buninyong rising 22%. Virtually every suburb of Bendigo has grown more than 10% in the past year, with many of them rising by between 15% and 20%.

Several hours from Melbourne, Warrnambool is up 13% in 12 months, Shepparton has grown 11% and Mildura is up 10%.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559]

The trend is also seen large numbers of Sydney residents moving to regional areas of New South Wales and to other parts of Australia.

In various parts of regional NSW, median house prices have risen 13% in Orange, 20% in Bowral, 12% in Parkes,11% in Mudgee and above 15% in some suburbs of Wagga Wagga.

All these places have rising prices on the back of a big uplift in sales activity, boosted by demand from major cities.

The population data shows that Sydney has been losing population to internal migration for the past 10 years and that Melbourne has also been losing population through people moving to other parts Australia for at least the past three years.

Clearly, in many cases, the relocation of people has not been to the coast but to regional cities and towns inland.

This is because “lifestyle” can mean living in a town where there is a strong sense of community or living in a place where there are no traffic lights and you can get a park in the main street.

People value the safety and security available in regional centres. These places are often seen as good places to raise a family. Many regional centres have good schools, including private schools, and all the facilities and amenities that families need to lead comfortable and fulfilling lives.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227]

I live in a hill change town in Queensland where the median house price has risen 22% in the past year, because it’s a perfect fit the Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle trend.

This location is not about beaches, although they’re only 30 minutes away. It’s about green hills, clean air, a strong sense of community, safety, access to good schools and ease of parking (although it’s getting harder). There are no traffic lights in this town.

It’s a strong area for arts and crafts, has a great music scene and there are lots of good places to eat. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Lifestyle.

And I work from a home office. As a researcher and writer, I have no need to be in the big, expensive, congested capital cities, apart from the occasional visit to meet clients or speak at a seminar.

Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au

ryder@hotspotting.com.au

twitter.com/hotspotting
</body></html>

terryryder

Exodus to affordable lifestyle not just moving to the beach: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

Whether your&nbsp;children have moved out or you&#39;re wanting to save money, downsizing provides a great option for couples of all ages &ndash; but downsizing doesn&#39;t have to mean downgrading.&nbsp;

With Sydney&#39;s luxury market proving resilient following the coronavirus pandemic, many buyers are seeing the benefit of investing in a high-end development at affordable prices.&nbsp;

Below&nbsp;are nine of the best downsizer apartments on the market in Sydney to help you on your journey towards finding a new home.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

1. <a href="/buildings/polo-collection-55-rothschild-avenue-rosebery">Polo Collection</a>, Rosebery 
Address: 55 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 
One-bedroom apartments from $710,000

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="/buildings/polo-collection-55-rothschild-avenue-rosebery" rel="gallery-all" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/polo_collection.jpg?itok=KAk-HRy4" width="580" /></a>

Meriton&rsquo;s Polo Collection offers downsizers the chance to remain close to the CBD and enjoy luxury living in a brand new architecturally designed apartment.

Comprising 275 luxury apartments across four buildings, the development offers dynamic and elegant living, green vistas and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, designed by SJB Architects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588]

2. <a href="/buildings/alex-collective-alexandria-163-173-mcevoy-street-alexandria-nsw-2015">Alex Collective</a>, Alexandria 
Address: 163-173 McEvoy Street, Alexandria NSW 2015 
One-bedroom apartments from $750,000

<a href="/buildings/alex-collective-alexandria-163-173-mcevoy-street-alexandria-nsw-2015"><img alt="" height="2160" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/alexcollec.jpeg" width="3189" /></a>

In the neighbouring suburb of Alexandria, 163 apartments in one, two and three-bedroom configurations are set to be delivered by Ceerose, boasting floor-to-ceiling storage, bay windows and a balcony fringed by greenery.

Tastefully designed by Andrew Burns Architecture, Alex Collective features concrete-inspired stone benchtops, sandstone-toned joinery and integrated black glass ovens, bringing a warm and contemporary aesthetic with an industrial edge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29785]

3. <a href="/buildings/cornerstone-717-727-canterbury-road-belmore">Cornerstone</a>, Belmore 
Address: 717-727 Canterbury Road, Belmore NSW 2192 
Two-bedroom apartments from $655,000

<a href="/buildings/cornerstone-717-727-canterbury-road-belmore"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cornerstone.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Whilst further from the offerings of the CBD, Sydney&rsquo;s inner-south-west provides the ideal downsizer location, boasting a tight-knit community and, soon, the proposed Belmore metro station.

Delivered by ALAND, Cornerstone features high ceilings, open-plan kitchens, alfresco dining areas and recessed balconies. Ground floor retail space and local parkland activate the residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9188]

4. <a href="/buildings/lighthouse-9-17-howard-avenue-dee-why">Lighthouse</a>, Dee Why 
Address: 9-17 Howard Avenue, Dee Why NSW 2099 
Two-bedroom apartments from $935,000

<a href="/buildings/lighthouse-9-17-howard-avenue-dee-why"><img alt="" height="474" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/lighthouse.jpg" width="1024" /></a>

Situated in Dee Why&rsquo;s new retail hub, Meriton&rsquo;s Lighthouse development offers the tallest towers in the Northern Beaches suburb.

Complete and ready to move in, the development is built over four buildings and offers views of the ocean, beach and lagoon. Downsizers or retirees will enjoy the convenience of this development, located nearby ocean shores and within 35 minutes to Sydney&rsquo;s CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6337]

5. <a href="/new-apartments/trilogy-112-talavera-road-macquarie-park">Destination</a>, Macquarie Park 
Address: 114 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 
One-bedroom apartments from $600,000

<a href="/new-apartments/trilogy-112-talavera-road-macquarie-park"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/destination.jpg" width="1920" /></a>

Located within NSW&rsquo;s second largest business district, Destination offers lots of opportunity to downsizers hoping to take advantage of Macquarie Park&rsquo;s competitive advantages, including its proximity to Macquarie University.

Delivered by Meriton and designed by DKO Architecture, Destination offers serene garden terraces, timeless design and views from every angle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8669]

6. <a href="/buildings/moseley-17-21-moseley-street-carlingford">Moseley</a>, Carlingford 
Address: 17-21 Moseley Street, Carlingford NSW 2118 
Two-bedroom apartments from $752,900

<a href="/buildings/moseley-17-21-moseley-street-carlingford"><img alt="" height="900" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/moseley.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Still located in the City of Ryde, and close-by Epping Station is the affordable Moseley project by H&amp;T Group. The 41 one, two and three-bedroom apartments match the needs of families, downsizers and young professionals with contemporary design, modern silhouettes and amenities.

The apartment offers private storage, a gym, communal entertaining areas and an electric charging dock.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25486]

7. Elle, Waitara 
Address: 53 Balmoral Street, Waitara NSW 2077 
Two-bedroom apartments from $749,000

<img alt="" height="900" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/elle_.jpg" width="1200" />

Located on Sydney&rsquo;s Upper North Shore, Elle provides a prime location for downsizers to enjoy the convenience and style of elite suburban living.

The new residential community boasts free-flowing contemporary living options and landscaped garden space, delivered by Developcorp. Elle is minutes to public transport, quality private schools and Hornsby shops.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29140]

8. <a href="/buildings/park-avenue-waitara-16-20-park-avenue-waitara">Park Avenue</a>, Waitara 
Address: 16-20 Park Avenue, Waitara NSW 2077 
Two-bedroom apartments from $649,000

<a href="/buildings/park-avenue-waitara-16-20-park-avenue-waitara"><img alt="" height="900" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/park_av.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Also located in the fast-growing is Park Avenue, offering one and two-bedroom configurations, ideal for investors or downsizers. The spacious residence is located in proximity to Hornsby&rsquo;s amenities.

The residences offer practical layouts, balconies, spacious bedrooms and the relaxed lifestyle of the Upper North Shore community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29538]

9. <a href="/new-townhouses/collection-rouse-hill-49-terry-road-rouse-hill">Collection</a>, Rouse Hill 
Address: 49 Terry Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155 
One-bedroom apartments from $399,000

<a href="/new-townhouses/collection-rouse-hill-49-terry-road-rouse-hill"><img alt="" height="548" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/rouse-hill-1.jpg" width="987" /></a>

Downsizing doesn&rsquo;t have to mean smaller either. Collection provides 311 residences in one, two and three-bedroom configurations in Sydney&rsquo;s growing north-west region.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the master-planned offers spacious open-plan layouts, generous entertainer balconies and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and Berowra Valley National Park.

Rouse Hill&rsquo;s town centre boasts an abundance of amenities and retail offerings, as well as a new metro station that connects residents to Castle Hill, Chatswood and Sydney&rsquo;s CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6284]

Here are nine apartments on the market in Sydney to match the needs of downsizing couples

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Nine of the best downsizer apartments on the market in Sydney

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The Melbourne unit market continued to shrug off the worst of the 2020 COVID impact on property, recording 0.6 per cent gains over December, according to data analytics firm CoreLogic.

It followed from 0.1 per cent gains in October and <a href="/news/melbourne-apartment-values-outperform-houses-in-november-corelogic">0.7 per cent gains in November</a> to be 1.4 per cent up over the quarter. The quarterly performance saw apartments offset any early year losses to be flat over the calendar year.

The unit market comfortably outperformed the housing market over 2020, with houses contracting two per cent, CoreLogic's data found.

The unit median rose to $576,905 over December, now higher than July levels.

Urban has taken a look at five apartments blocks to secure under the median apartment value.

<h2><a href="/buildings/canvas-272-barkly-street-brunswick">Canvas, Brunswick</a></h2>

Address: 272 Barkly Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056

<img alt="" height="887" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/canvas_brunswick.jpg" width="1200">

Canvas, the Brunswick development by ID Land, has one bedroom apartments starting from $480,000, well below Melbourne's median apartment price. The facade of the Rothelowman-designed block pays homage to Brunswick’s industrial past. Formed by concrete construction and urban design principles, the visual grid spans the building, framing each apartment. It will feature 62 one, two and three bedroom residences with interiors by Hecker Guthrie, expected to be completed in 2022.

Their two beds start from $680,000.

<h2><a href="/buildings/parkhill-apartments-west-melbourne-408-spencer-street-west-melbourne">Parkhill Apartments, West Melbourne</a></h2>

Address: 408 Spencer Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003

<img alt="" height="793" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/parkhill_west_melbourne.jpg" width="1200">

Parkhill Apartments in West Melbourne are offering one bedrooms starting from $479,000, developed by the award-winning Central Equity. Early buyers will have the chance to save $430,000 on stamp duty.

Parkhill Apartments has a range of one and two bedroom apartments with 6.5 Star energy ratings. There's a rooftop gym for residents and a rooftop garden with outdoor seating and barbecue areas.

<h2><a href="/buildings/hawthorn-park-33-camberwell-road-hawthorn-east">Hawthorn Park, Hawthorn East</a></h2>

Address: 33 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East VIC 3123

<img alt="" height="808" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hawthorn.jpg" width="1200">

Just over the rising median is Hawthorn Park, where developer Dahua Group is offering its one beds in from $609,000. The Camberwell Road development, estimated to be completed earlier this year, comprises 368 residences spread across seven floors and five buildings. Another designed by architect Rothelowman, Hawthorn Park features a fully-equipped gym with yoga and meditation studio, massage suites, a sky boardwalk, sky lounge, garden pavilion and a swimming pool.
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Melbourne's unit median now sits at $576,905 after seeing a 0.6 per cent rise in unit values over December.

Melbourne unit values rise 0.6 per cent in December: What you can buy for the new median

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GUEST OBSERVER 
The outer west remains one of Melbourne’s most affordable pockets to buy property. And with interest rates at record lows, we have seen many buyers dip their toes into the market this autumn.
The reduction of the cash rate by the Reserve Bank often impacts the price-sensitive segments of the market, and this has certainly been the case in Melbourne’s west.
While renting has traditionally been the norm in Melton, residents are now considering entering the market for the first time. The median house price across Melbourne sits at $688,000, but in Melton you can still get a three bedroom family home for a median house price of <a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/recentlysold/26_BARRIES_ROAD_MELTON_VIC_3337_SOLD" target="_blank">$226,000</a>.
As such, young families and couples renting a large family home are realising mortgage repayments in the current economic climate is similar to that of weekly rental payments.
That’s why this quarter we’ve seen a flurry of activity from the younger, family orientated segment of the market who now realise that the Great Australian Dream might actually be in reach.
The affordability factor is no doubt drawing people from greater Melbourne to the outer west. In fact, <a href="https://www.melton.vic.gov.au/Council/About_the_City/Demographics/Growth_Statistics" target="_blank">City of Melton statistics</a> show that between 2001 and 2014 the estimated residential population of Melton more than doubled, and in 2013, the region had the fifth fastest population growth in Victoria (4.3%).
Population projections also indicate that Melton’s population will be more than 315,908 by 2036, which is almost the size of our nation’s capital Canberra. If Melbourne’s house prices grow as much as they did in the first quarter of this year (11.1%), then we expect to see a rise in demand for the outer suburbs where buyers can have space and value for money.
Another drawcard for families relocating to the west is the vast improvements to amenities and infrastructure in the area. For instance, the Council of Melton has recently completed new state of the art five-green-star accredited library and learning facility, as well as the Taylors Hill Youth and Community Centre.
The likes of Palmerston Street, Brooklyn road and Greigs Road are also undergoing refurbishments to ease traffic in the area. The countless number of amenities and infrastructure improvements make Melton a more desirable place for families to live in. 
The perfect combination of population growth, improvements to infrastructure, good borrowing conditions, low vacancy rates and low median house prices have also attracted savvy investors to Melton. Vacancy rates are notably low in Melton – sitting around 2.2%.
Investors therefore are privy to a low risk investment with low upfront capital. And if the rental returns are good enough, some can even positively gear their investment.
The Reserve Bank just cut interest rates to a record low of two per cent, and this will continue to drive interest into the outer west from first home buyers and young families. We will even start to see the dial quickly shift from renters to buyers in suburbs like Melton as these savvy buyers realise the benefits the area brings.
Julian Conte is director of hockingstuart Melton. He can be contacted <a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/?pagecall=staffMember&amp;staffID=96340" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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