The final apartments in the most recently completed new development in Balwyn present some of the largest and most exclusive ever delivered in one of Melbourne’s most established and character-rich neighbourhoods.

Boutique developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wulff-projects">Wulff Projects</a>,&nbsp;alongside partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pga-group">PGA Group</a>, has just finished <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/threadneedle-balwyn-1-5-threadneedle-street-balwyn-vic-3103">Threadneedle</a>, 17 home-sized residences designed completely for the owner-occupier.

Named after its location on Threadneedle Street, the new project has been shaped by the heritage fabric of Balwyn. It offers two low-rise buildings of eight and nine apartments respectively, designed to emulate traditional standalone homes.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355582]

John Scaramuzzino, Director at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, explains the design intention.

“Given the quiet residential character of the street with many homes dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, we approached Threadneedle wanting to appear less as a collection of apartments and more as a traditional residence. This led to creating not one but two buildings that could “breathe” with larger garden-based apartments functioning more like small homes.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355605]

The north-facing residences are nestled among extensive landscaped gardens by Ben Scott Garden Design, with over one-third of the site dedicated to greenery. The resulting setting is one of calm seclusion, where architecture and landscape work in tandem to offer immediate liveability.

With construction now complete, the final apartments include a top-floor, single-level penthouse residence priced from $2.8 million. This home offers three bedrooms, a dedicated study, two bathrooms plus powder room, and three car spaces with an oversized storage room.&nbsp;

Interiors prioritise spatial comfort and natural light, with three-metre-high ceilings, oversized internal doors and a full-width terrace oriented to the north, east and west.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355604]

Floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows ensure thermal performance across seasons, supported by automated external blinds, zoned heating and cooling, and a fireplace for added ambiance.

Each apartment has been individually designed to maximise privacy and garden outlooks. Kitchens combine refined finishes with practical considerations: stone benchtops, butler’s pantry, full-height joinery and concealed rangehoods.&nbsp;

The inclusion of dedicated home offices responds to contemporary living patterns, while bathrooms feature sculptural bathtubs and brushed nickel fixtures.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355590]

Threadneedle also integrates best-practice sustainability measures, achieving a 7 Star average NatHERS rating. Initiatives include solar PV systems, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and irrigation, and high-performing building insulation. These elements enhance daily comfort while reducing ongoing maintenance and energy demand.

"We believe Threadneedle sets a new standard of design excellence and building quality for Balwyn,"&nbsp;Scaramuzzino added.

"It’s an architectural response we’re particularly proud of, and one we’re sure residents will be equally proud to call home."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=27816]

Staff Writer

Final homes remaining as Threadneedle, Balwyn completes construction

Joel Robinson

Sydney's top 15 new apartments developments set to launch in 2026

Developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dasco-australia">DASCO</a> has pushed beyond the now-standard inclusions of rooftop pools and landscaped podiums at its recently launched new Epping project, Senso.

It has laid out over 4,000 sqm of resident-only amenity in a move designed to compete directly with low-density housing on livability, not just density. The result is a development that supports genuine daily use through purposeful spaces distributed across its five-building, 479-apartment precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4396]

Two rooftop pools form the anchor of Senso. One is a 27-metre lap pool adjoining a heated spa, designed for everyday fitness rather than just summer leisure. The second sits on a lower podium, allowing different buildings to share in vertical access and reducing crowding during peak times.

It is the secondary spaces that start to distinguish Senso from other large-scale suburban projects. A rooftop cinema is integrated into a landscaped terrace, offering open-air screenings with natural ventilation and passive cooling.&nbsp;

The inclusion of a “sensory walk”, an elevated boardwalk that threads through the site, suggests a rare investment in non-commercial, non-essential amenity: space for quiet movement that doesn’t double as access or traffic circulation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4402]

The gym and wellness centre, often relegated to a small ground-floor room in many builds, takes on more substance here. Residents have access to a fully equipped gym, as well as outdoor yoga areas and meditative zones that integrate greenery and natural light.&nbsp;

The Club Lounge is similarly designed to support multiple use cases, with a private dining terrace, kitchenette, workspace, and lockable wine storage. These aren’t superficial additions; their scale and spatial allocation indicate serious intent for frequent resident use.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4391]

Importantly, Senso’s amenities are embedded within a site that spans more than 10,000 sqm, allowing for better separation between spaces and reduced noise spillover, a critical but often overlooked factor in high-density developments. This spatial generosity also enables multiple alfresco kitchens and communal terraces without compromising individual privacy or usable space.

While many developments make claims about lifestyle, few back it with this level of built infrastructure. Senso’s mix of dedicated fitness, wellness, social and passive green spaces suggests a conscious response to the post-pandemic shift in housing expectations, especially among owner-occupiers.&nbsp;

DASCO is one of several leading developers who have taken out Resilience Insurance's Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing buyers with a 10-year structural and waterproofing warranty, and giving them the ultimate peace of mind.

Senso is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134954]

The outdoor amenities elevating life at Senso, Epping

Following the proposal by the Minns Labor Government to rezone Parramatta Road to create up to 8,000 new homes, prominent developer Ceerose has gone to the NSW Gov to increase the density of its new mixed-use residential building in Leichhardt.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/ceerose">Ceerose</a>, founded by Edward Doueihi nearly three decades ago, has filed plans for 154 apartments above ground-floor retail at 307-315 Parramatta Road, a key corner site near Norton Street, the main high street strip in Leichhardt.

It's an upsize from the previously approved scheme of 63 apartments across a seven-storey building.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba1ae75b-5f08-43fb-b8d5-3de6d9f6ef71" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.39%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yA3hBBLPH4ev7MsAE0_hieXeqiFqBUb7" />

The project is being advanced through the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway, with concurrent rezoning sought to facilitate the proposal. The 10-storey development would rise over a four-level basement and deliver two retail tenancies, one a larger-format offering and the other a smaller “hole in the wall” space, addressing the Parramatta Road frontage. 21 of the apartments are dedicated as affordable housing.

According to the Urban Design Report by Architecture AND, the scheme includes a podium and tower configuration, with a fine-grain, two-storey parapet street wall that references the traditional shopfront rhythm along the corridor. “An elegant tower form is proposed, combined with a characterful two storey frontage... articulating it as two related buildings, providing consistency with the rhythm and grain of Parramatta Road,” the report notes.

The residential component is split across two slender towers set back from the street edge, a design move aimed at preserving solar access and reducing perceived bulk. This massing strategy also seeks to improve residential amenity by focusing scale toward the quieter northern interface, away from Parramatta Road’s noise and pollution.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="347f2f8f-5d36-4388-b40a-2e77380b9c19" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.02%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=xvyUE2ujT1lzivXTo.mHBJFF4SmfgLtz" />

Architecture AND has worked with Ceerose on previous Inner West projects, and cites a deep familiarity with the local character. Their design draws heavily on context, heritage, and sunlight access considerations, and engages with the Inner West Council’s “Our Fairer Future” strategic planning framework.

The site spans 2,712 sqm and is located near key intersections with Catherine Street, Hay Street, and Redmond Street. It adjoins a public carpark to the north and is within walking distance of Stanmore and Petersham stations. It is also flagged in state and local planning strategies, including the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, as a suitable candidate for increased density.

Ceerose recently completed The Alex Collective on McEvoy Street in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay.

The Parramatta Road corridor is coming to life with the proposed rezoning which is serviced by a significant number of bus, light rail and train routes.

Deicorp is progressing with its $1.8 billion <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> precinct on Parramatta Road in Five Dock, as is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/toga-to-push-on-with-five-dock-mixed-use-masterplan">TOGA further down the street</a>. Those two projects alone will bring nearly 2,000 new homes to Parramatta Road.

First look: Ceerose plots mixed-use Leichhardt development on Parramatta Road

North Sydney's landmark 'SBS Building' on Alfred Street is set to be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use residential tower in the booming North Sydney.

Commercial property group FiveX is behind the plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/275-alfred-street-north-north-sydney-nsw-2060">39-storey tower</a>, the latest project to advance under the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

They are proposing 184 apartments above retail spaces, which will replace the existing 20-storey commercial building. FiveX was set up more than five decades ago by Joshua and Marko Berger. It is currently led by Joshua's son Lesli.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower at 275 Alfred Street, North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2efa0980-53fa-4cca-9f9e-9c3c845d4746" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29%20%281%29_0.png?VersionId=y_YyPMq3NQLfYRs84pP4os9UgWiMLp75" />

According to the Architectural Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">FJC Studio</a>, the slender tower form has been deliberately designed to respect the site's transitional setting at the southern gateway to the North Sydney CBD, where high-rise towers give way to lower-scale residential precincts.

"The slender tower form and articulated podium establish a respectful relationship with nearby heritage and low rise buildings, including the Whaling Road Heritage Conservation Area,” the architecture firm noted, adding that the tower “completes a missing link in the urban fabric” while enhancing the Alfred Street streetscape.

The proposed building will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with 15 percent of the gross residential floor area allocated as affordable housing. There is an agreement already in place that those apartments will be managed by Evolve Housing.

The project aligns with broader state housing objectives, including the National Housing Accord target of delivering 1.2 million new homes by 2029. The Scoping Report filed with the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) suggests the site "presents no impediments to rapid delivery,” with construction able to commence within 12 months of receiving consent.

North Sydney has been one of the most popular suburbs in Sydney for new and off the plan apartment development, but hasn't had the supply to keep up with demand, until recently.

AURA by Aqualand was, for a long time, the only off the plan apartment building on the market. That completed last year, and has sold the majority of its 386 luxury apartments. Recently ALAND launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-173-179-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> on the same street, selling over $100 million within just a few hours of its launch, while developer CASA also launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-mclaren-north-sydney-45-mclaren-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The McLaren</a>&nbsp;in the same precinct.

First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney

Asian Investors

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A local Asian investor has purchased a 1,106 sqm strata space let to an operating childcare at 1 Network Place, North Ryde NSW from international developer Risland.
It was purchased for $4,650,000.
The property is currently occupied by Kids Planet Childcare under a new 10 + 10 + 10 year lease. The yield achieved was 6.50%.
The deal was negotiated by Nick Lower, Selin Ince &amp; Oliver Ridley of Savills Australia who said despite the perceived concern for the Childcare industry over the past six months, this transaction is a great indicator of the strong investor appetite currently seen in the market for well-located assets with secure income streams.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Savills sell North Ryde childcare centre to local Asian investor

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A Hong Kong based private investor has paid $6.48 million on a tight 4.7 per cent yield for Lawson Arcade, a prized retail asset in the heart of Byron Bay, one of Australia’s most popular beach resorts.
Teska Carson Director Michael Ludski, who brokered the deal with Byron Bay Property Sales’ Kath Vaubell, said the fully let property attracted 100 enquiries predominantly from Melbourne, Sydney and off-shore, with nine formal offers lodged.
Ludski said investors had recognised the tremendous growth potential in one of Australia’s most popular beach resorts and the limited retail space available in the town.  
He said Byron Bay’s popularity, attracting high levels of tourists – currently more than 2 million a year -  and new residents, was a key factor.
"These resident and tourist numbers continue to provide significant returns and excellent growth potential underpinning local businesses,’’ Mr Ludski said.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-byron+bay-502693282" target="_blank">17 Lawson Street</a> property comprises a modern, double storey, brick building of 594 square metres (GLA) comprising three shops, two restaurants and four office suites with a central arcade providing pedestrian access to the rear shops and car parking on an 866 square metre site.
The arcade had recently undergone a $250,000 refurbishment.
The property was sold fully let at a gross annual income of approximately $465,000.
 
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Hong Kong purchaser pays $6.48m for Byron's Lawson Arcade

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Foreign investment has been a significant driver of Australia’s property market and in many ways a contributing factor to our strong economy, particularly over the past decade as China has boomed and its rising middle and upper class have looked for new ways to invest in a volatile international economy, according to McGrath's latest report.
Australia’s attractive lifestyle, clean air and food supply, political and economic stability, high quality education and health facilities, safe cities, a similar time zone and attractive property market has proven an irresistible combination for our northern neighbours.
According to the latest Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) data, $60.75 billion was invested in Australian residential real estate by foreign buyers in FY2015, up 75% on FY2014.
<a href="/images/2016/10/31/Foreign%20investment.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Foreign%20investment.jpg" alt="">
By far, New South Wales and Victoria were the favoured destinations and for the third consecutive year, the lion’s share of investment came from China – and at record levels, too.
Chinese buyers invested $24.35 billion in residential and commercial real estate last year, almost double that of FY2014 and more than four times the investment of FY2013.
Clearly, Chinese appetite for Australian property is increasing, so what happens when governments – Australian and Chinese, tighten controls on foreign investment?
<a href="/images/2016/10/31/Top%2010.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Top%2010.jpg" alt="">
In December 2015, the Australian Government introduced fees for foreign real estate acquisitions, starting at $5,000 for purchases below $1 million – which represents the majority of foreign real estate purchases.
In June 2016, the New South Wales Government introduced a 4% stamp duty surcharge for foreign buyers and a 0.75% land tax surcharge from 2017.
In July 2016, the Victorian Government raised their stamp duty surcharge for foreign purchasers from 3% to 7% and announced an increase in the absentee owner land tax surcharge from 0.5% to 1.5% from 2017.
<a href="/images/2016/10/31/Top%2010.2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/31/Top%2010.2.jpg" alt="">
The Queensland Government also introduced a 3% stamp duty surcharge on foreign purchases in October 2016.
And there’s even more hurdles for foreign buyers to jump with Australian banks tightening their lending criteria and the Chinese Government limiting the amount of capital exiting the country.
While it’s too early for official numbers, anecdotal evidence from our agents suggests mainland Chinese investors have pulled back while Chinese clients already here continue to upgrade to new homes and purchase for investment.
The effect of the new fees won’t be fully realised for another 12-18 months but we think it will be largely limited to the new apartment market.
FIRB figures show about 80% of all foreign purchases are under $1 million – indicating that reduced Chinese demand and settlement defaults will hit the apartment sector most, with some impact also felt in the mid-priced house market too.
As Chinese investment slows down – at least in the short term, FIRB figures show increasing interest from other parts of Asia, primarily Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.
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We are also seeing an increase in investment from emerging economies such as India, Vietnam and Indonesia.
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Reduced Chinese demand and settlement defaults will hit the apartment sector most: McGrath

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/67155/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
People from cultural backgrounds where getting financial assistance from families is the norm are less likely to default on their mortgages, new research shows.
This includes those from South East Asian countries.
We also found in societies where the culture is to save more and for people to control their desires and instincts, the default on mortgages is lower. The findings are true both in relatively stable economic periods (2010-2013) and during a period of financial crisis (2008-2009).
In analysing the factors behind mortgage delinquencies, we used data on default rates from 42 developed and developing countries. These countries represent about 90% of the world’s gross national income and the world’s outstanding balance of housing mortgages in 2013. The rate of people who defaulted on their mortgage varied from 0.05% in Hong Kong to 17.05% in Greece.
Australia has a low default rate on mortgage, thanks to a strong level of national income, stable growth of the property market and a low unemployment rate. But it ranks high in all cultural dimensions that potentially lead to high default rate, this is accentuated during times of widespread economic hardship. So policymakers should be mindful of unfavourable economic conditions that may trigger default on mortgages. 
There are a number of explanations for our findings. Individuals who have a tendency to enhance or protect their self esteem, by taking credit for success and denying responsibility for failure, may overestimate their abilities make enough money to meet their long term financial obligations. They also have relatively weaker self-monitoring skills and may not budget well. 
Also, in societies where people are expected to be independent and only take care of their own interests, the rate of default on mortgage is higher. A lack of access to support from extended families and groups may make it difficult to pay back their mortgages during the period of financial hardship.
We found that borrowers in countries exhibiting higher degrees of pragmatism (e.g. having a long-term view to life) are less likely to default on their mortgages. People in these countries have a higher tendency to save. These people are also probably less likely to undertake risky mortgages and therefore default less on their mortgages.
In societies with a strong emphasis on enjoying life there was a higher rate of defaults. These people are more likely to follow their impulses and desires and so might not allocate their financial resources efficiently. They may spend more money than they can afford on leisure activities and have less savings to service their mortgages.
Not surprisingly we found countries with higher levels of household disposable income, lower unemployment rates and higher growth in house prices, would have lower default rates on mortgage. However, national debt rules, regulations and chronic and prolonged illness, aren’t significantly associated with defaults on mortgages in our sample countries. 
Housing mortgages account for about 75% and 50% of total consumer lending in the developed and developing economies, respectively. Our findings are of particular importance for multinational financial institutions because they hold mortgage loans as a large portion of their assets and therefore higher default rates may significantly lower their market values. 
Our results show that lenders should take into account the cultural backgrounds of borrowers when determining how likely it is that they will default. This is in addition to common economic factors, such as income, unemployment, and house prices, socio-demographic factors like divorce and race and health characteristics of borrowers. 
For example, multinational financial institutions could promote their mortgage products more in societies where people receive support from their relatives or members of groups. They could also focus on countries where people have a higher propensity to save for the future and are less interested in leisure activities. This could save these institutions a lot in terms of risk, but would also be much better for their customers.
Reza Tajaddini is lecturer in Finance, Swinburne University of Technology and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/reza-tajaddini-308121" target="_blank">here</a>.
Hassan F. Gholipour is lecturer in Economics, Swinburne University of Technology and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hassan-f-gholipour-309444" target="_blank">here</a>.
Both are authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Asian home buyers less likely to default on their mortgage: study

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GUEST OBSERVER
The UK has long been a destination for Asian real estate investors, with the attraction of the strong liquidity, stable governance, transparency and clear title, meaning that investors from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have all invested in bricks-and-mortar in the country.
With the decision to exit the European Union, for existing Asian property owners, the fall in the pound will impact the repatriation of any income returns, as well as the gains on any disposal.
Although there is likely to be more volatility in the market, ultimately most investors are looking to the long term – so will continue to hold their assets, in the hope that any short-term instability will eventually subside when more clarity of the UK’s role in Europe is determined.
The decision, however, could also present a buying opportunity, as the significant drop in the value of the pound, as in 2009, could lead to an uptick of interest by Asian investors, who, over the last few months have adopted a wait-and-see approach to the referendum – and will now see their buying power increase significantly.
Chinese, Singaporean and Hong Kong investors especially, looking at both residential and commercial properties – most likely in London – will be monitoring the market carefully and looking for opportunities to potentially increase their exposure over the coming weeks and months.
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Nicholas Holt is head of research for Asia Pacific, Knight Frank and can be contacted <a href="https://www.knightfrank.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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