Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Apartment Development

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Victoria's planning minister Richard Wynne’s decision to shave two stories off a proposed 12-storey apartment tower project by BRW Rich Lister Tim Gurner in Melbourne's inner north has met with mixed reactions, even though the minister justified his stance.
The decision, made just days before a planning tribunal was to consider the project, was the talk of the room at a major Property Council of Australia address by Wynne on Wednesday, reported Fairfax Media.
Wynne this week imposed a height control of a maximum of 10 storeys, or 30 metres, on the North Fitzroy site where Gurner had already amended his original plan for a 16-storey tower with 470 apartments.
To a question from Property Council of Australia executive director (Victoria) Sally Capp on the move, Wynne said he felt justified by the local council’s initial planning for the site more than 10 years ago but which it failed to include into its planning rules.
The Yarra Council did not finishing structure planning for the site that was begun in 2008 but never submitted to the state planning department.
"There were these holes in the scheme. It was clear to me that I was not prepared to intervene unless the council had done the strategic work that would justify an intervention," Wynne said.
"The council officers' report clearly established the 10-level height was complementary to the height the council had agreed some years before for the Gas and Fuel site that is directly opposite.
"I thought that a 10-level development was reasonable."
Gurner has criticised the minister’s decision, calling it a politically motivated move. He said Wynne is under pressure in his inner-city seat of Richmond, where the Greens are gaining ground.
"I do not know of any other cases where a planning minister has got involved in a site-specific issue like this. It is as unheard of as it is not fair," Gurner said.
"Melbourne is in the middle of a housing affordability crisis and actions like this for political reasons are only going to make it worse."
Wynne held his seat by just 1.9 per cent from the Greens at the last state election and his decision could be a move to pacify Fitzroy North residents fighting the proposed apartment tower, reported The Age.
Gurner was cited by The Age as saying he would press on with the project despite Wynne having "intervened to satisfy NIMBY locals who pretend they care about affordable housing”.
Wynne said that residents had "made no secret of their concerns" about the project.
"We've struck a balance that caters for our growing population, while also addressing the views of hundreds of locals who objected to the scale of the original proposal," he said. "Good planning is about balancing the needs of existing residents and future residents."
Resident group Protect Fitzroy North had been campaigning for eight levels, saying 16 levels would have been a huge over-development of the site.
Architect, Koichi Takada initially proposed a cascading 16-storey development of about 550 apartments, covered in greenery inspired by the rice paddies of south-east Asia.  
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Victoria's planning minister defends decision to trim Gurner project

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Paul Broad of Broad Property Research and Advisory said Hamilton's proximity to the river and access to major infrastructure had made it a stand-out performer.
"Whether it is located near an ocean, lake or river, people pay a premium for waterfront property because waterfront land to build upon is scarce," he said.
"Not only is Hamilton a riverside suburb, it has been one of the prime beneficiaries of major infrastructure spending, with all of Brisbane's major arterial routes immediately accessible through the city's network of tunnels.
"The suburb's winning combination of location, amenity and infrastructure is something investors cannot ignore, particularly in the absolute riverfront developments."
"The basic principles of supply and demand dictate that prices go up for any desirable item for which there is a limited supply.
"The old adage that the three secrets to real estate are 'location, location, location' holds true in that being on the water is typically the best location available.
"The high household income at Portside Wharf is mainly due to the fact that 40 percent of Portside Wharf's residents aged over 15 are professionals, compared to just 19 percent across Queensland as a whole.
"This provides a pool of quality tenants who desire, and are willing to pay premium rents for well-positioned property." 
Mr Broad said 2011 Census data put the median weekly household income in Brookfield Residential Properties'  Portside Wharf precinct, which neighbours the new Gallery House apartments, at $2,416 per week, nearlydouble the average median weekly household income of $1,235 per week across Queensland.
<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/2017/02/14/700_couple.jpg" alt="">
Jonathan and Brianna Parsons (above) were among the first to purchase at Gallery House, which will sit on a prime riverfront site in Hamilton. 
Mr Parsons said the backdrop of the Brisbane River and CBD was one of the biggest motivators.
"Our one bedroom apartment will be spacious and we will also love the break-out spaces like the rooftop pool and barbeque area, which will be great for entertaining," he said.
"We decided the apartment was perfect for our self-managed super fund because we can't see ourselves ever wanting to sell something as rare as this.
"We are buying for the long term and over the years we have observed that riverfront apartments are always in high demand and are much more resilient to market fluctuations than non-riverfront locations."
For more information on Gallery House visit the new Sales &amp; Display Centre at Portside Wharf or gallery-house.com.au.
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Riverside location driving Hamilton, Brisbane apartment market

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Billionaire Lindsay Fox has plans to replace his corporate offices on Melbourne's St Kilda Road with a prestige apartment tower.
It is the first residential project for the trucking magnate.
Fox has submitted plans for a 20-storey apartment tower on a prime site overlooking the nearby Fawkner Gardens.
The project will deliver 148 upmarket apartments across 32,000 square metres of space.
Fairfax Media say the development value of the project has been listed as $90 million.
The low-rise building at 493 St Kilda Road was bought in 2007.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Lindsay Fox plans St Kilda Road apartment highrise

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Record apartment prices are being set all over Sydney, the latest in the Sutherland Shire.
It was a sub-penthouse at Cronulla that sold mid-week off the plan for $5.7 million through David Highland at Highland Property.
The 155 sqm apartment in the soon to be developed, Pinnacle on McDonald Street was bought by a local buyer.
It comprises three bedrooms plus media room with a balcony that offers views across the ocean from Jibbon Beach to Boat Harbour.
David Highland says it broke the Sutherland Shire record both in price and sqm rates. 
It topped the Shire's previous record, a $5.51 million off-market sale of a four bedroom penthouse. 
“We’ve had a lot of interest prior to marketing, particularly from local buyers”, he said. 
“The location and finishes are second to none, and the fact that each apartment has its own level with elevator access, offers a unique selling point.” 
The Innovative Architects designed development is made up of six whole floor apartments with direct access to The Esplanade.
Each of the apartments were finished with interiors from EB Interior Design.
Construction completion is due in 2018.
This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Record apartment prices hit Sydney's Sutherland Shire

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Crown Resorts and developer Schiavello have appointed Knight Frank to market their planned super-luxury apartment project One Queensbridge in Melbourne.
Planned to be a 'vertical neighbourhood' situated above a six-star, 388-room Crown hotel, One Queensbridge is being touted by Knight Frank as the most prestigious residential offering in Australia.
The apartments at <a href="https://onequeensbridge.com.au/" target="_blank">One Queensbridge</a> have been designed by British architects, Wilkinson Eyre, who have worked on landmark projects including King's Cross Gasholders, Battersea Power Station in London, and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, among others.
The complex will feature a luxury rooftop bar and dining area with views of Melbourne. One Queensbridge plans to offer a full suite of resort facilities to its residents. 
The project is still awaiting approval from the Council.
Knight Frank's director, Sales &amp; Marketing One Queensbridge, Erin van Tuil will lead the campaign.
“Given the lack of supply of prime and super-prime apartments in Sydney and Melbourne, we are very confident that this development will be embraced by buyers both locally and internationally,” said van Tuil.
Knight Frank's latest research report, the Prime Global Cities Index – Q2 2016, placed Melbourne ahead of Sydney for prime residential, ranking fifth globally.  
Lord Andrew Hay, head of Knight Frank’s Global Residential, said it will place Australia in the global arena for luxury residential property offerings.
"One Queensbridge will be ranked among the world's best, alongside London's One Hyde Park and New York's One57.”
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Knight Frank to market super-luxury One Queensbridge apartment project in Melbourne

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Working professionals and the Gen X and Gen Y market is driving demand for concierge services and hotel style facilities in Melbourne's apartment market according to Lendlease. 
Ben Christie, head of apartments for Lendlease’s Urban Regeneration, business said the resident’s model of customer service was on the rise as buyers begin to prioritise help services when choosing an apartment.  
“Buyers are welcoming the future of apartment living by embracing personalised lobby and concierge services," he said.
"We are now seeing purchasers demand more from their building’s amenities, which they have probably underused in the past." 
Such services include help with move-ins and move-outs, sign for mail on behalf of residents, remember the names of residents’ regular family members and guests, provide personal assistant services such as making dinner reservations, ordering food, reserving tickets, and other housekeeping and maintenance jobs.
One local residential complex with such facilities is Melbourne Quarter’s Club MQ.
It offers residents a hotel-style grand arrival entrance to Club MQ (off Flinders Street) with undercover drop-off and concierge service, secondary pedestrian lobby to the Club MQ and apartments off the precinct neighbourhood park, residents library and lounge, theatrette for 20 people and three internal private dining areas featuring outdoor terraces and BBQ amenity aside from the actual gym and pool facilities.
The gym facilities include a  25m indoor heated pool, custom designed 20+ seater spa (size to be confirmed), separate steam room, sauna facilities and change room amenities located on the pool level facility area, gym and multipurpose yoga/function room overlooking the pool area.
The levies for Club MQ, the wider residential precinct amenity and common areas will be shared by all apartment owners within the residential precinct (MQ East Tower and two remaining residential towers on site) on the completion of the development.
The project will be completed in stages over the next six years with the entire residential precinct expected to reach completion by mid-2022.
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Swimming pool at Lendlease project growing concierge culture converts CBD apartment buyers

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The first residents have started moving into Radius Apartments in Brisbane’s Woolloongabba, with the newly completed development also starting to operate as serviced accommodation.
The mixed-use project by Majella Property Developments at 44 O’Keefe Street comprises 91 apartments with a mix of 35 one-bedroom and 56 two-bedroom units. It is also being operated by Oaks Hotels &amp; Resorts as Oaks Woolloongabba.
Majella chief executive officer Sebastian Monsour said the larger size of the apartments and the overall quality appealed to buyers.
“On average, the apartments are larger than those in other new residential developments selling for similar prices within Brisbane city and fringe suburbs. This has proven very popular with potential buyers as they consider it better value for money,” Monsour said.
The one-bedroom apartments range in size from 79 sqm to 98 sqm, while two-bedroom apartments ranging from 99 sqm to 133 sqm. Apartment pricing ranged from $357,000 to $569,000.
Two commercial tenancies have also sold in the commercial space.
Majella Group founder Professor Frank Monsour said, “Brisbane City Council’s Urban Renewal Brisbane program has ensured that Woolloongabba has undergone unprecedented revitalisation.”
The launch of Oaks Woolloongabba was the tenth Brisbane property for Oaks Hotels &amp; Resorts with a room inventory of more than 1,400 rooms.
Radius was constructed by Queensland’s Tomkins Commercial &amp; Industrial Builders.
<img src="/images/2016/09/19/WOLRooftop.jpg" alt="" width="749" height="499">
The complex is built on Woolloongabba’s highest point at 44 O’Keefe Street and offers views of the city.
Designed by Elizabeth Anderson of Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects, Radius Apartments features a rooftop sky deck with city views, a 20-metre swimming pool, gardens and barbecue facilities.
Majella Property Developments will soon be lodging its development application for the proposed redevelopment of the heritage-listed Broadway Hotel site at Woolloongabba featuring 280 apartments and a three-level commercial and retail podium.
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New apartment project in Brisbane's Woolloongabba welcomes first residents

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Vacancy rate figures are a leading example of how generalised data can be dangerously misleading for real estate consumers.
Research companies like to publish statistics which describe an entire city in a single figure. One might tell us that “Sydney house prices” have risen 8 percent in the past year, but what does that mean for a metropolitan area with over 700 suburbs and five million residents?
The overall vacancy rate for Melbourne is a healthy 2.1 percent, according to SQM Research, but does that make investment in the city generally safe? Behind that generalised figure lie myriad different situations, including some (like inner-city Southbank and suburban Doncaster) where vacancies are in the 5-6 percent range.
The Brisbane metropolitan area provides a sobering case study for this topic. The overall vacancy rate is 2.9 percent, which is within the accepted comfort zone.
But closer examination reveals some worrying information. The city’s generalised vacancy rate has risen from 2.6 percent a year ago to 2.8 percent in June and 2.9 percent in July.
But specific areas show much higher vacancies and it’s not just the inner-city apartment markets. The unit development frenzy has extended to the suburbs and some precincts have alarmingly high vacancy rates now.
The latest figures show the Brisbane CBD has a vacancy rate of 5.3 percent. Surrounding near-city markets including South Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley all have vacancies in the range from 4.1 to 5.8 percent.
With major projects under construction, many of these rates will get considerably worse before they get better.
But now suburban markets well beyond the inner-city high-rise precincts are joining this disturbing trend.
There is major new construction of units happening in many of the suburbs on Brisbane’s Northside, in the middle ring suburbs where houses have dominated in the past. Thousands of new apartments received council approval in the financial year just ended. 
The suburbs most impacted are Albion, Chermside, Everton Park, Kedron, Gordon Park, Wooloowin and Lutwyche. 
The Albion postcode now has a vacancy rate above 9 percent. The postcode covering Kelvin Grove, where major urban renewal projects have been targeted, has a vacancy rate above 5 percent.
The postcode covering Lutwyche and Windsor is at 4.4 percent, while Herston is 4.8 percent. 
Chermside’s vacancy rate is currently reported as 3.7 percent but is trending upwards and is likely to go much higher as there is widespread new development in this area. 
There was recent publicity for this area, based on a research report that Chermside would become a property hotspot because of projected population growth. This was based on recent residential building approvals. Property marketers weighed in, suggesting this was a good place to buy.
There’s no doubt that the Chermside precinct has many good qualities – well-established residential areas supported by major infrastructure, facilities and jobs nodes. It’s part of a precinct that I wrote about favourably a few years ago, when Brisbane Northside generally was leading price growth in metropolitan Brisbane.
But those days have passed. The momentum has shifted to other parts of the Brisbane market and, in the meantime, developers have dived en masse into the Northside market. 
All those positive qualities– population growth, good transport links, employment growth and great services and amenities – can be overpowered and rendered meaningless by one simple factor: oversupply. 
Brisbane’s overall vacancy rate of 2.9 percent does not alert us to the reality that places like Chermside have much higher vacancies, which are rising steadily and set to become worse.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Brisbane unit development frenzy hits the suburbs: Terry Ryder

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The builder and consultancy firm to develop Illoura Coolum, a $35 million oceanfront apartment project in Sunshine Coast, have been announced.
Queensland developer Coolum Terrace Holdings has named RCQ Construction builder for the 37-apartment project, while Sunshine Coast’s KHA Project Management will manage the project.
Illoura Coolum comprises two buildings comprising one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses ranging in size from 140 sqm to 563 sqm. Prices range from $375,000 to $1.5 million.
Spokeswoman Elisabeth Pernod for Coolum Terrace Holdings, which developed the project, said the appointment of RCQ Construction was an important milestone. 
“We expect construction to start in the next three months, with a build time of approximately 12 months,’’ she said.
Apart from beach views for nearly all apartments, other features include individual fully-ducted air conditioning, full height two-pac kitchens, stone benchtops, bedrooms. Amenities include direct access to Coolum Esplanade, spaces for barbecue and relaxation pavilion.
The architects for the project are Blackburne Jackson Design.
 Property Observer had previously reported that 30 percent of apartments have already been sold. 
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RCQ Construction to build luxury oceanfront apartments on Sunshine Coast

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Galileo Funds' $165 million apartment project Palisade at Miranda in Sydney's south was launched at the weekend. 
But the overall sales rate reflected the reduced demand and increased caution arising from over supply headlines with just 65 per cent of the 197 apartments finding buyers.
They were priced between $580,000 to $1.5 million on Saturday. 
Australian developer Galileo Group advised the launch of their long awaited residential project Palisade Miranda was met with "great success." 
CBRE Chairman Justin Brown even described the response as "overwhelming." 
But gone are the days of the 100 percent Saturday morning sellouts. CRBE had recently advised a 70 percent sales result on launch was the new norm.  
Palisade is an eight-storey, resort-style development designed by KannFinch and UP Architects, with luxury amenities including a 20-metre pool, lush landscaping, outdoor daybeds, private gym and poolside clubhouse for residents to use as a function space.
There's interiors by Neil Bradford Design. 
Paul Marshall, of Galileo, says Miranda has had limited new development over the past decade. 
"This, coupled with the refurbishment of Westfield, has created strong demand from local purchasers," he suggested prior to the weekend launch. 
Existing residents of Sutherland Shire were Palisade's primary target market with its proximity 200 metres from Westfield Miranda and about one kilometre from Miranda station. 
Prices at the University Road, Miranda project start at one beds, 53-57 square metres, $580,000 to $700,000; two beds, 80-92 square metres, $795,000 to $1.05 million; three beds, 101-123 square metres, $1.09 million to $1.5 million.
It is due for completion early 2019.
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