<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.</p>

<p>Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.</p>

<p>For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.</p>

<p>“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.</p>

<p>“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]</p>

<p>That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.</p>

<p>Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.</p>

<p>Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.</p>

<p>At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]</p>

<p>In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.</p>

<p>Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.</p>

<p>Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.</p>

<p>Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.</p>

<p>Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]</p>


Joel Robinson

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

<p>Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.</p>

<p>Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.</p>

<p>Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.</p>

<p>In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.</p>

<p>The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.</p>

<p>Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb</p>

<p>“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.</p>

<p>"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."</p>

<p>Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.</p>

<p>Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.</p>

<p>Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.</p>


Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

<p>In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.</p>

<p>"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.</p>

<p>"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."</p>

<p>The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.</p>

<p>“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.</p>

<p>"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."</p>


Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

<p>More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.</p>

<p>For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.</p>

<p>Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]</p>

<p>Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.</p>

<p>The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]</p>

<p>Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.</p>

<p>For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.</p>

<p>Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]</p>

<p>With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.</p>

<p>As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]</p>


Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

<p data-end="174" data-start="72">When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.</p>

<p data-end="346" data-start="176">With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.</p>

<p data-end="585" data-start="348">Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.</p>

<p data-end="945" data-start="587">Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.</p>

<p data-end="945" data-start="587">[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]</p>

<p data-end="993" data-start="947">Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.</p>

<p>For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.</p>

<p>"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.</p>

<p>"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."</p>

<p data-end="1628" data-start="1460">[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]</p>

<p>The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.</p>

<p>Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.</p>

<p>The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.</p>

<p data-end="2437" data-start="2024">[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]</p>

<p>At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.</p>

<p>Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.</p>

<p data-end="2870" data-start="2684">[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]</p>

<p>A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.</p>

<p>Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]</p>


Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

Apartment Boom

<html><body>
<p>There's no slowing down property prices all across the nation, with data house CoreLogic reporting prices nationally jumped 2.8 per cent over March, the highest increase since October 1988.</p>

<p>It was also the first time in 12 months that capital city values outpaced the regional markets, music to the ears of the departed investor market who will be monitoring price levels.</p>

<p>CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless says they expect housing values to continue to rise throughout 2021 and well in to next year, but it is reasonable to expect the pace of growth will slow.</p>

<p>Sydney led the way over March, with dwelling values jumping 3.7 per cent to be 6.7 per cent up over the quarter. The last time Sydney posted such strong quarterly gains was in June/July 2015, before a rapid slow in growth when limits on investors kicked in to slow the market, which isn't a stumbling block in the current property climate.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317]</p>

<p>The Harbour City was only bettered by Hobart's strong 7.6 per cent quarterly gains after dwelling growth of 3.3 per cent over March.</p>

<p>Canberra saw the third best dwelling value growth across the capitals, up 2.8 per cent, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane who both saw 2.4 per cent gains. Darwin posted 2.3 per cent growth.</p>

<p>Adelaide (+1.5 per cent) and Perth (+1.8 per cent), trailed the pack.</p>

<p> </p>

<p><img alt="" height="705" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/april_dwelling_cl.jpg" width="1200"></p>

<p>"As the housing market hits record high values, speculation is mounting as to what will trigger the next downswing phase of the cycle", Lawless says.</p>

<p>"The upswing in buyer demand has not been met with the same level of increase in inventory," Lawless says.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6798]</p>

<p>"This has resulted in strong selling conditions, amidst a palpable sense of urgency amongst buyers, putting upwards pressure on housing prices."</p>

<p>Lawless suggested the substantially less fiscal support will likely contribute to a tapering of demand, as will the prospect of tighter credit policies, however APRA says lending standards remain healthy enough to keep any credit intervention at bay for now.</p>

<p><strong>Houses v Units</strong></p>

<p>Houses continued to outstrip units for price growth in most capitals, however units are now steadily back on the upswing.</p>

<p>“Despite the underperformance, unit markets have turned a corner, with Sydney recording two consecutive months of rising values, while the Melbourne unit market has seen values consistently rising since October last year, with the trend accelerating over recent months," Lawless says.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227]</p>

<p>Sydney houses jumped 4.3 per cent over March to be 8.2 per cent higher over the first quarter of the year. Units still saw strong growth, up 2.1 per cent over March to be 3.2 per cent up over the quarter.</p>

<p>Melbourne units were close behind, posting 1.7 per cent gains over March and three per cent over the quarter. Houses were up 2.6 per cent in March and 5.6 per cent over the quarter.</p>

<p>The only areas where units outperformed houses was in Hobart and Darwin. Hobart units were up 4.9 per cent, the best performance of any market across March, while houses rose three per cent.</p>
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Sydney led the way over March, with dwelling values jumping 3.7 per cent to be 6.7 per cent up over the quarter

When will the property boom slow down? Property prices see highest monthly gains in 32 years

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<div>A range of factors have come together to kill the apartment construction boom in its tracks.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>These have included:<br><br>-tighter capital controls in China<br>-a stamp duty surcharge for non-resident buyers<br>-a 'vacancy tax' for unoccupied dwellings not made available for rent<br>-changes to the foreign resident capital gains tax regime<br>-significant limits to depreciation deductions<br>-travel costs for landlords being disallowed as a deduction<br>-changes to the CGT main residence exemption for foreign buyers &amp; temporary residents<br>-considerably tighter lending criteria Down Under</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And some other stuff.<br><br>The truth is Australian residents finance the purchase of relatively few new apartments in the larger developments, so if investors aren't buying then it's difficult for developers to secure enough pre-sales to get projects off the ground.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>At the last official count we saw that there were still around 152,000 attached dwellings under construction for the July to September 2017 period.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But that was months ago, and this is now.<br><br>By today in February 2018 the number of apartments under construction might already have nosedived by about 20 per cent, as a swathe of Sydney completions has hit the market. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>And the latest building approvals figures suggest the downtrend is now locked in.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This may prove to be a plus for landlords as rental markets tighten, while Alex Joiner of IFM Investors notes an eyebrow-raisi<span>ng <span>~</span>45,000 Airbnb</span> listings in Melbourne and its surrounds, representing huge growth, which may in turn help to explain vacancy rates in the Victorian capital having nudged multi-year lows in 2017. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile macroprudential measures may well mean that interest rates stay lower for longer (if construction employment begins to fall hard, the next move in rates may even be down, for the Reserve Bank of Australia is already missing both its inflation target - for more than two years now - and its full employment mandate). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Let's look briefly at the latest building approvals trends. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Apartment construction to slow</span></strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>Attached dwelling approvals dropped sharply by 39 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms in December 2017, from 11,247 to just 6,849, although this was partly a reversal of a record spike in Melbourne in the preceding month. </div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbFm6bMEzbc/Wnatet_AWHI/AAAAAAAAoKc/7IyLSytQdbASKTMc6St0CdspdGC4u0XRACLcBGAs/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="388" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1338"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>While Melbourne and Sydney apartment approvals will likely continue a downtrend from here, confidence in the maligned Brisbane apartment sector finally seems to have found a more sustainable base. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Melbourne attached dwelling approvals fell from a manic 6,304 in November to 2,766 in December, overwhelmingly accounting for the monthly decline. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Across calendar year 2017 Sydney and Melbourne accounted for the strong result in attached dwelling approvals at just under 36,000 and 32,000 respectively.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBUymPPAG8o/Wnate9sty4I/AAAAAAAAoKg/-N-TNG0FkSwUA6UgVdxEQbc0aYIfFde0QCLcBGAs/s640/A2.jpg" width="640" height="380" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1363"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>Meanwhile the trend in Brisbane house approvals is now the strongest in the country, alongside sprightly Hobart.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBG8InIxZcc/Wnate_gk-sI/AAAAAAAAoKk/Uu9uSRI269wpiNfnkwyMR8l2rpUEUO_ngCLcBGAs/s640/A3.jpg" width="640" height="388" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1355"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>Hobart's housing market has been booming, and an overdue supply response is now reluctantly taking shape.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jleMak-OHd0/Wnatg3ylE_I/AAAAAAAAoKw/VTkisyEuAV0REE9Xs7A_-M8SE7yo6pOlQCLcBGAs/s640/A5.jpg" width="640" height="388" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1321"></div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall 2017 was a stronger than expected year for approvals with more than 219,000 dwellings awarded a green tick, but the trend in high-rise approvals may well now resume its slide.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The townhouse sector of the market looks to be an increasingly solid performer, on the other hand.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pwS0ldSwH8/WnatgONjOkI/AAAAAAAAoKo/540xndVwVMUeoyTrKHF1OjvrOPJyrAewwCLcBGAs/s640/A4.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1371"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Despite the fall in residential building approvals, the impact on the economy may not be as great as once feared, with the trend in monthly non-residential approvals for New South Wales hitting its highest ever level at $1.3 billion in December, while Victoria's result was even higher still. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97uMk0P1oUM/Wnatg_84KUI/AAAAAAAAoKs/yJsaLCGeNAkYn6NasIY8we1kzrT8EpBNwCLcBGAs/s640/A6.jpg" width="640" height="380" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1375"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>Non-residential approvals have been tracking at record levels, then, overwhelmingly driven by Sydney and Melbourne.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Nevertheless, the apartment construction slowdown will be the real trend to watch this year. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Eight factors kill the apartment construction boom in its tracks: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>The apartment boom is over but it’s not a disaster, according to realestate.com.au economist Nerida Conisbee.</p>
<p>Despite some experts predicting a ‘bloodbath’ resulting from an oversupply of apartments in Melbourne and Brisbane, Conisbee suggests the reality is that there has been minimal fall out from the declining levels of construction.</p>
<p>"Building approvals are now trending downwards and although some apartments have lost value, the state of the market is pretty stable," she said.</p>
<p>Conisbee added that the level of building approvals for apartments will continue to decline in 2018 mainly because there are fewer investors in the market, but also because offshore developers, particularly from China, will be less active.</p>
<p>She tweeted a graph (below), highlighting the investor pullback.</p>
<p>She wrote "<span>Investors are pulling back and this started to hit apartment demand in Sydney late last year. It is now extending to Adelaide. Meanwhile Perth seems to have turned a corner </span><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/housing?src=hash" data-query-source="hashtag_click">#housing</a><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/demand?src=hash" data-query-source="hashtag_click">#demand</a><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/property?src=hash" data-query-source="hashtag_click">#property</a>."</p>
<p>Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/1/9/rea.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a></p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/1/9/rea.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Envisaging a quieter housing market in 2018, there were four other key forecasts made by Conisbee.</p>
<p>1. US rate rises will make Australian mortgages more expensive, although the Reserve Bank of Australia is unlikely to budge on rates any time soon.</p>
<p>2. Sydney’s excessive housing price growth may soon be a thing of the past with demand decreasing and prices finally slowing down.</p>
<p>"In 2018 it’s unlikely we will see a big drop in prices in Sydney, but cooling demand will continue to affect house prices which are likely to be flat this year."</p>
<p>3. Look for the Hobart market to continue to rise in 2018.<br><br>4. Regional areas within commuting distance of Melbourne and Sydney have seen increasing buyer demand over the past 12 months on realestate.com.au.<br>The most active have been Central Coast and Wollongong, with many suburbs appealing to Sydney buyers on the basis of affordability if they’re prepared to do a big commute.</p>
<p>In Melbourne, Geelong has been the big winner of price pressures in Melbourne, however suburbs of Ballarat are now starting to appeal to first-home buyers from Melbourne as well.</p>
<p>This year, these areas will continue to see buyer demand grow as they offer not just affordable homes but also the lifestyle that people want.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

The apartment boom is over, but not a bloodbath: Nerida Conisbee 

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<p>The Inner Melbourne Apartment (IMA) market has undergone a boom in new residential activity since 2012/13, being underpinned by the upturn in off-the-plan sales that commenced in 2009/10 following the Global Financial Crisis, according to BIS Shrapnel's Inner Melbourne Apartment Market Brief. </p>
<p>In particular, development in Inner Melbourne has been dominated by large scale and high rise development in the following locations: Melbourne CBD; Southbank; Docklands; St Kilda Rd/Queens Rd; Carlton; Port Melbourne; St Kilda and South Yarra.</p>
<p>APARTMENT PROFILE DEMAND PROFILE</p>
<p>Private rental apartments account for 58% of all apartments in the IMA area, considerably higher than the 25% share across all Greater Melbourne. This highlights the preference of investors to purchase properties close to good transport links and major commercial, retail and entertainment centres, where tenant demand is likely to be greatest.</p>
<p>Owner occupied dwellings represented only 28% of IMA area apartments, with both fully owned and being purchased dwellings in lower proportions than the Greater Melbourne average. Unoccupied dwellings— those that are held as second homes or kept empty as a speculative investment—comprise a high 14% of total apartment stock in the IMA area, (9% in Greater Melbourne). This level may have even increased since 2011, given the higher incidence of overseas buyers and expectation that many will not find their way to the rental market.</p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%209.29.00%20AM.png" alt="" width="318" height="245"></p>
<p>DEMAND PROFILE</p>
<p>The age profile of apartment residents suggests that people first rent when moving into the IMA area (52% of occupants in rental households aged 20 to 29 years old). There is a higher propensity to purchase an apartment for those aged beyond 30 years of age.</p>
<p>Households with a mortgage are mostly younger, with 51% of people occupying an apartment being purchased aged 30 to 54 years old. Within fully occupied apartments, the largest age cohorts are 55 to 69 years old and 20 to 24 years old.</p>
<p>The high prevalence of 20 to 24 years olds suggests that the older households are likely to contain adult children. Alternatively, these young adults may be living by themselves in fully owned apartments – i.e. perhaps in a dwelling owned by their parents or other family.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%209.31.50%20AM.png" alt="" width="354" height="302"></span></p>
<p>DEMAND DRIVERS </p>
<p>The age profile of apartment residents suggests three main groups driving occupier demand: students, young adults, and older empty nesters.</p>
<p>Students account for 21% of the Inner Melbourne Apartment population, with 85% being overseas students. Overseas students create instant demand, typically opting to reside close to their place of study. The decline in overseas student enrolments from their 2009–2010 peak was not felt as greatly in Inner Melbourne, as most (around 80%) were in higher education courses, where enrolments had not dropped as far as other education sectors. Moreover, after beginning to recover in 2013, growth in overseas student enrolment has been strong in 2014 and 2015, which should lead to stronger tenant demand.</p>
<p>The young adult apartment population is typified by those in white collar management or professional positions working in the inner city. This segment comprised 74% of the non-student demand for apartments in the IMA area at the 2011 Census.</p>
<p>Empty nesters are classified as those aged 45 years old and over, being either singles or couples without children. Empty nesters comprised 26% of the non-student adult population in the IMA area at 2011 Census.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%209.52.07%20AM.png" alt="" width="351" height="300"></span></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%209.54.10%20AM.png" alt="" width="348" height="337"> </p>
<p>INVESTMENT</p>
<p>Rental Vacancy Rates</p>
<p>Vacancy rates in Inner Melbourne (indicated by a six month average which is used to iron out monthly variations due to lumpy stock additions) have steadily risen since bottoming out at 1% in 2008.</p>
<p>Vacancies rose above the balanced 3% rate over 2012/13, with the rate in the Inner Melbourne 0-4km area increasing to 3.8% (and remaining relatively high at 3.5% since). This reflects the rise in apartment completions in this time and time required for the market to digest. With the apartment supply to remain around peak levels in the medium term, vacancy rates in the Inner Melbourne 0-4km area are likely to remain above the balanced rate of 3% for some time, restraining both rental and price growth.</p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/03/31/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-31%20at%209.56.59%20AM.png" alt="" width="409" height="360"></p>
<p>Rents, Prices and Yields</p>
<p>Table 1 (main picture) outlines the weighted median two bedroom (the most common type of unit) rent and weighted median unit price of the IMA area post codes, along with an indicative yield representing the rent divided by the price.</p>
<p>Unit rental yields peaked at 5.55% at June 2009 after strong rent growth over the prior three years outpaced price rises. Together with low interest rates, this helped to trigger the 17% post–GFC rebound in median prices over 2009/10, causing yields to fall below 5%, although remaining above the levels of the early 2000s.</p>
<p>A correction in prices in 2011/12 saw yields rise to 5.35%. This level of yield supported the modest price growth in 2012/13 and 2013/14, which was also underpinned by the low interest rate environment during this period. Since then median prices have corrected downwards in 2014/15, continuing in 2015/16.</p>
<p>Competition from new apartments has also negatively impacted rents, with median rents showing almost no change over the last four years. In light of the fall in prices, the indicative yield for a two bedroom apartment in the IMA area is expected to have risen slightly to 5.1% at June 2016.</p>
<p>SUPPLY PIPELINE</p>
<p>New apartment supply in the IMA area is at record levels, averaging around 6,000 apartments per annum in the four years to 2015/16. Off-the-plan investor demand has been strong since 2009/10, buoyed by attractive yields, low interest rates and uncertainty in other investment markets.</p>
<p>Although rent and price growth has been flat in this period, any weakening in domestic investors in response to the rising new supply has been offset by elevated demand from overseas investors (primarily from Asia), who have sustained another round of apartment pre–sales and construction activity since 2011. Overseas buyer demand is being supported by low borrowing costs, relatively buoyant economic conditions in their home country, and a preference to invest in a more transparent and stable political environment.</p>
<p>Demand for apartments by overseas investors shows little signs of abating despite further increases to supply. A lower Australian dollar is making apartment prices attractive to overseas buyers despite the fundamentals becoming more adverse. Over 24,000 apartments, or nearly 8,000 per annum, are on track to be completed within the IMA area over the three years to 2018/19—more than triple the long term average of 2,563 apartments per annum in the sixteen years to 2011/12. Around 15,700 apartments are in projects already ‘locked in’ and under construction, with many currently marketing also likely to go ahead.</p>
<p>The Melbourne CBD precinct will be the main source of new apartments in the IMA area over the three years to 2018/19, accounting for 40% of total new apartment supply. Apartment completions as a proportion of the total IMA area is expected to be next greatest in the Docklands (18%) and Southbank</p>
<p>(15%).The Carlton, South Yarra and St Kilda Rd precincts are projected to account for 9%, 8% and 8%, respectively, of new apartment supply in the IMA area, while minimal new apartment supply is expected in both the St Kilda and Port Melbourne precincts.</p>
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New apartment supply in Inner Melbourne at record levels: BIS Shrapnel report

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<p style="text-align: left;" align="center">GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>Sydney buyers looking for a freestanding home are starting to be frozen out with the infiltration of apartments, and property experts are widely talking about unit prices dropping due to oversupply - but is this the only issue? This is just one problem but many others are being ignored. </p>
<p>Exceptional market conditions in Sydney meant that apartments were significantly more affordable than houses for many buyers – last year especially – and as a result, many development applications were submitted for new apartment high rises. As a result, Sydney took over from Melbourne as the leading capital for apartment development and in July alone last year, the City of Sydney received more than 2,400 development applications, in what was quoted as a record high.</p>
<p>By 2018, the City of Sydney expects 8,000 new dwellings to be completed, while Green Square is expected to house more than 54,000 people by 2030<a name="x__ftnref3" href="https://outlook.office.com/OWA/?realm=propertyobserver.com.au#x__ftn3" title=""><span><span><span>[3]</span></span></span></a>. Looking north of the bridge, St Leonards will have more than 500 new apartments by 2020.</p>
<p>“here’s an apartment boom but where is the foundation? If we look at supply and demand a year ago, apartments were in demand mainly because of the investor boom and many owner-occupiers were priced out of purchasing a family home. What I want to know is are we building the right course for the right horse?</p>
<p>Think about housing diversity five years ago and look at where we are heading by 2020, we’ll have a remarkable number of apartments by then. The size and scale of this issue is much bigger than we even realise and there’s a real lack of research around the implications on infrastructure, mental health and other future ramifications. </p>
<p>This year, it’s been estimated that almost 45,000 apartments will be completed and settled in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with an additional 53,000 due for completion in 2017.</p>
<p>We are reverse engineering the supply and demand process and changing the behaviours of people as a result.</p>
<p>We are forcing buyers into considering apartments because the reality is that they have very little other option in a semi-affordable price range. We are starting to see some ill-effects from an oversupply of apartments such as rents falling for the first time in three years, as well as vacancy rates rising. A number of reports show that this is already happening but this is not the only issue. There are also huge socioeconomic issues that will arise from this boom.</p>
<p>A report on housing demand from NSW Planning and Environment predicted that Sydney will have an extra 1.6 million people by 2031, and more than 664,000 homes will be needed. It claims that the rise in single-person and couple-only households as well as an ageing population is driving the need for smaller dwellings. This report also revealed how the government would create housing diversity, which included studio flats (self-contained studio apartments that are established with a main house), smaller lot sizes (standard minimum lot size for high and low density areas), townhouses and terraces, and manor homes (four separately titled units within the same building). </p>
<p>Although I acknowledge the findings in the report, I still believe that a lot of these apartments are being built to feed the investor boom as opposed to a spike in people looking for low maintenance properties. How are freestanding, detached homes not part of a housing diversity plan? We need to have more dialogue on this and think of more creative ways to build more townhouses or single house dwellings for a similar price as apartments – in a way that doesn’t skimp on build quality. Increasing population is a problem for everyone. Let’s not just build tower blocks at extortionate prices, let’s build dwellings that Australians are happy to come home to.</p>
<p><strong>Five solutions for housing diversity that meets demand:</strong></p>
<p><strong>1. Increase ‘stepping stone’ homes. </strong>Currently, there is a very small pool of stepping stone properties available for buyers. I don’t understand how we expect people to go straight from a unit into a four-bedroom home if things continue on the same trajectory. Town planners really need to focus on building a bridge for buyers from their first property to their second property because the type of supply is not readily there. Terrace houses take up a lot of space and that’s why they’re not being built as much – but they’re a good example of a stepping stone property.</p>
<p>Likewise, if you look at people downsizing, which many baby boomers are in the midst of doing or considering, they might want something in between their four-to-five-bedroom family home and an apartment. Generally, at the end of the day, younger people live in tower blocks. After the kids have flown the nest, downsizers are usually only open to moving into a 16<sup>th</sup> floor shoebox with shared walls when it also comes with something as spectacular as harbour views.</p>
<p>Sydney’s Leppington is planning to introduce a contemporary equivalent to the Paddington and Surry Hills terrace-style houses as part of its redevelopment masterplan and I think this is a great example of forward thinking. Sure, the suburb is very much a blank canvas so they have the luxury of planning really thoughtfully and building for the future, but there’s no reason why other suburbs can’t plan for the future – they just have to be more creative about it.</p>
<p><strong>2. An in-depth, socioeconomic study. </strong></p>
<p>A number of studies have been carried out to determine the happiness of people living in high rise apartment blocks, with one study in the UK revealing some alarming results, including that apartment living can increase your susceptibility to stress and your risk of developing mental health issues, and could even cause a relationship break-up. Furthermore, the study revealed that there are serious concerns for children brought up in apartments; children can suffer from hyperactivity, hostility and juvenile delinquency as a result. Not enough socioeconomic studies have gone into this on a local level and it’s absolutely something we need to explore.</p>
<p>Size is one thing but we also need to consider the emotional impact of living high up in the air. I understand the economics of the situation but I don’t think enough research goes into it. Yes, there’s demand but I think we should start building dwellings that people want to live in – not just because it’s the only option, price-wise. We have a responsibility for future generations to preserve the integrity and ambience of certain areas, and need to take a step back and look logically at this because the mental wellbeing of our community is also very important.</p>
<p><strong>3. More emphasis on planning for the future of our city.</strong> </p>
<p>You can’t just rezone an area for fun. While it’s true that people work longer hours, are information rich and have fewer children, that can’t be translated directly into them wanting smaller dwellings. Residents of family-centric areas are getting together to oppose the rezoning of their suburbs, and we saw just one example of this in the inner-west suburb of Hurlstone Park earlier this year. </p>
<p>You have to ask why units are being built in family-belt areas to create more diversity from a demographic point of view. People often move to these suburbs for a more peaceful or quieter life, so why are some councils now trying to entice youth into the area? Most young people want to live in a vibrant suburb with all the trimmings, which makes living away from inner-city areas less appealing to them. I think the Federal Government is putting pressure on the NSW State Government to meet various quotas which trickles down to the councils and that’s how we arrived here – building for today but not for tomorrow. </p>
<p><strong>4. Assess implications on surrounding infrastructure. </strong></p>
<p>I applaud the government for getting the big ticket items right such as public transport and widening of motorways, but they need to work further on local transport and roads, as well as schools, shops and other infrastructure essential for these new high-density communities. What new apartment developments are going to do is put a lot of stress on small intersections and I’m not sure if we are looking at the full impact on society. Are we still surveying roads and measuring traffic flow like we used to in soon-to-be affected intersections every morning and afternoon? If we’re not, we certainly should be. </p>
<p><strong>5. Incorporating vertical forests into more developments.</strong> </p>
<p>My concern with apartments is how the lack of greenery negatively impacts residents’ wellbeing. It’s been scientifically proven that green is a calming colour and nature is a calming influence and I think it’s crucial for apartment blocks. Large-scale, inner-city urban renewal projects are really thinking creatively about how they can incorporate plant life. Central Park in Chippendale is a great example, with vertical gardens and surrounding parkland, and developments at Green Square as well as Barangaroo are also focused on incorporating greenery. The developers aren’t doing it just because it looks good, they’re doing it because it’s essential to keeping residents happy.</p>
<p><em><span>DOUGLAS DRISCOLL</span> is CEO of real estate agency <a href="https://www.starrpartners.com.au/" target="_blank">Starr Partners</a>.</em></p>
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