Longstanding Gold Coast and Canberra developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/morris-property-group">Morris Property Group</a> is continuing to roll on with its Glitter Strip apartment pipeline, seeking to return to Mermaid Beach with a new 68-apartment development.

Morris, founded by Barry Morris in 1978 and one of the Gold Coast’s most prolific apartment developers over the past two decades, has filed plans for a 12-storey mixed-use building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/36-seabeach-avenue-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">34-36 Seabeach Avenue</a>, on the prized eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway.

The 1,227 sqm site occupies a prominent corner position at Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, opposite the Mermaid Plaza retail and office precinct and around 140 metres walking distance from the future Mermaid Beach South light rail station.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a> has designed the project, which will comprise 68 apartments across a mix of 48 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom residences.

The building will rise 12 storeys, reaching a maximum height of 36 metres, with the apartments accounting for a total of 156 bedrooms. The development application also seeks approval for short-term accommodation across the 68 apartments, while two office tenancies are proposed at ground level.

The plans show 108 car spaces across the development, with parking accommodated at ground level and within a three-level basement accessed from Seabeach Avenue.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2175c99-12fd-4a3c-9be1-89bbf258a90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.41%E2%80%AFPM_0.png?VersionId=iNLzWcE6gaAE76rafhEXfHve.4g4Se0p" />

Resident amenity will be concentrated on level two, where Fraser &amp; Partners has designed a recreation deck with a swimming pool, 90 sqm pool terrace, outdoor barbecue area and gym.

The broader communal offering will also incorporate landscaped spaces, with the planning documents noting the amenity has been designed to provide areas for recreation, social interaction and outdoor living.

The proposal would continue the transformation of the Gold Coast Highway corridor through Mermaid Beach ahead of the arrival of the light rail.

The site is zoned Neighbourhood Centre and sits within the Mermaid Beach/Broadbeach Light Rail Corridor neighbourhood plan. While the prescribed building height is 24 metres, the site is identified within an Urban Neighbourhood context providing for a 50 per cent height uplift to 36 metres.

Planning documents describe the stretch of the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach as increasingly characterised by medium and high-rise development, with the proposed Morris tower joining projects including Ventura, The Alfred, Oceans and Otto.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="911f193f-e381-4a55-be08-58be87fcf978" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=oxVvLJaY.SOXEdXrIcogfyEXDfvCmmpM" />

The development would mark Morris Property Group's latest investment in Mermaid Beach, where it has already delivered two apartment projects.

Otto, at 1 Bondi Avenue on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, comprises 70 apartments across nine storeys. The project was completed in 2019 and includes a residents' gym, recreation deck and swimming pool.

Morris also developed Oceans at 46 Ocean Street, a nine-storey, 70-apartment build-to-rent development completed in 2019. Oceans was the group's first build-to-rent project and incorporates commercial space at ground level.

The two existing Morris projects sit further north along the same Gold Coast Highway corridor as the proposed Seabeach Avenue development. Fraser &amp; Partners' planning analysis specifically identifies both Otto and Oceans among the established built-form precedents surrounding the site.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14925119-7b71-4812-8149-340317512c7c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%203.00.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aEJqYuw_nTCjcin17BSD0piB1EFotTlj" />

Mermaid Beach represents only part of Morris' considerable Gold Coast footprint.

The family-owned developer has been particularly active in neighbouring Broadbeach, delivering projects including Sierra Grand, Eclipse, Synergy, Qube, Koko, Opus and Malo, while its current pipeline includes Maison and the two-tower Crest development.

Further south, Morris has also developed a string of projects in Burleigh Heads, including Element, Boardwalk and Sandbar, while Essentia expanded its footprint north into Surfers Paradise.

The Seabeach Avenue application has been lodged by PMM Broadbeach Pty Ltd and seeks a development permit for a Material Change of Use for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation and office uses. Zone Planning Group prepared the planning application, with Fraser &amp; Partners commissioned as architect.

The project comes as the developer continues to expand its Gold Coast pipeline while retaining a significant presence in Canberra. Morris now has more than $2.5 billion of development in its national pipeline and has delivered more than 7,000 homes during its near five-decade history

Joel Robinson

First look: Morris Property Group returns to Mermaid Beach with new Seabeach Avenue apartment development

<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hvFB2uWTRfEyEcpTSnnK9" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis" target="_blank">Fortis</a>&nbsp;is continuing its stronghold on Sydn​ey’s eastern suburbs apartment market, launching&nbsp;in September&nbsp;its latest boutique&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GI5S9-wNeiLUnM-d1uYkw" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">Double Bay</a>&nbsp;development,&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YNouJQcFjiTTgVHbgDLA-" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">55 William</a>.

55 William presents&nbsp;just eight north-facing&nbsp;two-bedroom, three-bedroom and full-floor&nbsp;residences to the market, priced from $4.5 million.

The upcoming launch comes just weeks after Fortis secured approval for the $80 million development, its third eastern suburbs approval in two months. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376250]

55 William adds to a growing concentration of Fortis projects in and around Double Bay, a market the developer has become increasingly active in over recent years.

Fortis previously completed the nine-residence Marmont on New South Head Road, while it is currently developing a mixed-use residential and retail project at 12 Cross Street. Its wider Double Bay footprint also extends into commercial and retail development.

The developer's broader Sydney residential pipeline is particularly concentrated across the eastern suburbs, with projects spanning Doub​le Bay, Ro​se Bay, Wo​ollahra, Dar​ling Point, Poi​nt Piper and Eli​zabeth Bay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376253]

At 55 William, Fortis has again turned to MHN Design Union, the architecture practice behind several of its eastern suburbs projects, while London-based 1508 London has been appointed to handle the interiors and Wyer &amp; Co the landscaping.

The six-level building will comprise a combination of two and three-bedroom apartments, including a garden residence, full-floor apartments, a sub-penthouse and penthouse. Each residence will have secure basement parking and private outdoor space.

A rooftop terrace for all residents, along with select apartments, enjoys views across Double Bay Harbour and toward the Sydney skyline.

Ceiling heights will reach up to three metres&nbsp;in select residences, while the kitchens will feature natural stone and integrated Gaggenau appliances.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The boutique nature of the project reflects the type of stock Fortis has increasingly targeted across Sydney's eastern suburbs, where larger apartments and smaller buildings are being pitched primarily toward local owner-occupiers and downsizers.

Fortis Group General Manager Ed Eve said the developer continues to see demand from buyers wanting to remain in the eastern suburbs but move into newer, lower-maintenance housing.

“We're seeing continued demand from local owner-occupiers and downsizers looking for high-quality homes that allow them to remain in the eastern suburbs, close to the lifestyle and community they know,” Eve said.

55 William is also one of the early projects to respond directly to the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms. Fortis had previously secured approval for just two townhouses on the 599 sqm site before revising the scheme to eight apartments following the planning changes.

Situated one street back from Double Bay's water's edge, the project enjoys an enviable harbourside setting within walking distance of Double Bay Village and the ferry wharf.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376252]

Fortis has increasingly made the eastern suburbs a major focus of its Sydney pipeline. Beyond Double Bay, it recently completed the 14-residence Piper in Point Piper and has projects underway or planned across Rose Bay, Woollahra and Darling Point.

The developer recently secured approval for Verano in Rose Bay, a six-level development comprising 21 two, three and four-bedroom apartments, also designed by MHNDU.

55 William&nbsp;is soon to be release to the market with VIP appointments commencing early September,&nbsp;with residences priced from $4.5 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152579]

Fortis continues eastern suburbs push with 55 William launch

UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.

Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.

It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.

Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.

A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.

The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.

It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.

Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.

“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.

“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”

Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.

“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”

The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.

Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.

The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.

Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.

Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.

Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.

“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.

“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”

It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377495]

For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.

Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.

Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377494]

“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.

“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”

The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.

While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.

Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.

“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.

“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”

It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.

Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.

The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377688]

McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.

For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.

“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.

“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135149 project_image_fid=377687]

Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.

Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135149]

From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376196]

Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376194]

The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134873]

The Maybelle brings 27-storey parkside tower to market near North Strathfield

Brisbane off the plan apartments

After experiencing calendar year growth not seen in nearly four decades, it was inevitable that Brisbane’s unit market would eventually cool.

Although it hasn't reached the exceptional monthly growth levels seen last year, which drove a total annual increase of well over 16 per cent, January kicked off 2025 with a strong 0.6 per cent gain, according to CoreLogic's latest Home Value Index.

The unit market outpaced houses again, which were up 0.3 per cent in Jan.

The median value for a unit in <a href="/developments/brisbane-qld">Brisbane</a> is now $685,000, while the median house value is $977,000.

Only Brisbane and Perth recorded an increase in dwelling values (houses and units combined) last month, CoreLogic found, with a nation-wide slowdown expected to only last a brief period given the upcoming interest rate drops.

CoreLogic Research Director, Tim Lawless, noted that affordability constraints and rising advertised supply levels have contributed to the cooling trend.

<h2>What happened in Brisbane’s off the plan apartment market in January?</h2>

The Brisbane off the plan apartment market showed signs in January that we're in for another strong year.

Enquiry levels across new and off the plan apartment developments in Brisbane were at a five-month high, according to <a href="https://industry.urban.com.au/data-insights">MatterFact</a>, the data partner of <a href="/">Apartments.com.au</a>.

Interest in properties priced between $500,000 and $1 million surged, driven largely by the launch of <a href="/new-apartments/astra-apartments-gaythorne-16-station-avenue-gaythorne">Astra Apartments</a> in <a href="/developments/gaythorne-qld-4051">Gaythorne</a> which hit the mark on the affordability scale.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148948 project_image_fid=320219]

A sign of intent is always search - and search activity for suburbs across Brisbane was well over the 2024 median in January.

Upper Mount Gravatt emerged as the most searched suburb across Brisbane, with notable spikes in search for&nbsp;<a href="/developments/hamilton-qld-4007">Hamilton</a>, <a href="/developments/west-end-qld-4101">West End</a>, and <a href="/developments/kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Kangaroo Point</a>.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=210749]

The most exciting news in Brisbane in January was an Urban exclusive. We reported that <a href="/developers/icd-property">ICD Property</a>, who is behind landmark towers in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, bought the well-known R&amp;F site in West End.

The 1.68-hectare site,&nbsp;formerly home to Riverside Corporate Park, has had previous approvals for a multi-tower precinct with around 1,000 apartments, a retail plaza, and a riverside walkway.

ICD will file a new application with a different design.

<img alt="Exclusive: ICD Property secures riverfront West End site for Brisbane's latest multi-tower precinct" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-01-21%20at%201.50.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=8gLSNkWvhxKuY5vvmYcF7NKji0gZmoah" />

The only other significant development application in January was in East Brisbane where&nbsp;<a href="/developers/rg-property">RG Property Group</a>&nbsp;is seeking to developer a 10-level apartment development near the future Olympic Games Precinct.

The Wellington Road site already has approval for an eight-level building. RG's plans for the new project, dubbed The Banksii, are for 72 apartments.

&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: RG Property files for Brisbane Olympic Games precinct apartment tower" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-01-09%20at%203.57.59%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=xQw.MAEHV9KiTYc2hhMekO5ZKpv2f3pG" />

The redesign by <a href="/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> incorporates a rooftop swimming pool, a gym, and a public laneway connecting Wellington Road to Manilla Street.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="/developments/woolloongabba-qld-4102">Woolloongabba</a> precinct continues to attract investment, with several residential projects in the pipeline alongside public infrastructure upgrades.

Enquiry levels across new and off the plan apartment developments in Brisbane were at a five-month high, according to MatterFact, the data partner of Urban.com.au.

City Beat January 2025: Brisbane unit market continues upward trajectory as off the plan enquiry reaches five-month high

Brisbane’s suburban renewal continues to gain momentum with a transformative vision for Alderley, where&nbsp;Darveniza Group is planning to convert an industrial site into a vibrant residential community.

The new project, to be known as&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/station-quarter-78-farrington-street-alderley">Station Quarter</a> on Farrington Street, will put residents adjacent to&nbsp;<a href="/developments/alderley-qld-4051">Alderley</a> train station. The 17,167 sqm masterplan by Nettletontribe will have seven low to mid-rise apartment buildings, ranging between four and 10 levels, and have around 400 new apartments.

Darveniza Group is led by Queensland richlister Jane Darveniza, the widow of millionaire property developer Bojan Darveniza.

<img alt="Station Quarter Alderley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f30454c-4781-4ad5-81b1-da2e7f447cdb" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Station%20Quarter%20building%20one.png?VersionId=jsW_dHEXIr.wseqsVxyM9T9IpkRJQg8t" />

The precinct will be anchored by a central 1,750 sqm communal open walkway with extensive retail spaces.

The Farrington Street address, opposite Alderley Station with street frontage to Huddart Street, is surrounded by established amenities, including schools, parks, and shops, with direct access to major arterial roads and the Ferny Grove train line.&nbsp;

The masterplan aims to offer diverse housing options to cater to a wide range of residents, including affordable choices that address Brisbane’s growing housing demand.The first stage will comprise two buildings, one with 34 units across a four-level block, the smallest in the development, and 66 units in an eight-level building.

The 100 apartments in this initial phase will range from one to three bedrooms, with a 102 sqm ground-floor space for a café.

<img alt="Alderley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="655d1e5c-3951-4d66-81de-13104db77c89" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-30%20at%209.29.20%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=2yXwMWIvdOpkTbG5uyDNt8FsqqbHrPPi" />

The Town Planning Report by Urbis suggested Station Quarter is a "catalyst for Alderley and its evolution as a growth node."

"Station Quarter is set to redefine urban living in Alderley, by transitioning from low impact industry to a dynamic, low-medium density residential community," the report noted.

"Station Quarter is more than just a residential project; it is a commitment to sustainable urban development. By replacing industrial land uses with residential, the project not only meets the immedaite housing needs but also fosters a thriving, connected community within Brisbane's inner 5km radius."

Alderley isn't a suburb often associated with new apartment development. The last time a new project launched was nearly 12 months ago.

Breathe Residences, by&nbsp;joint venture partners&nbsp;<a href="/developers/capital-prudential">Capital Prudential</a>&nbsp;and the architecturally-driven property developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/guavalime">Guavalime</a>, will be just across 800m from Station Quarter.

Alderley set for 400-apartment Station Quarter development opposite train station

ICD Property has a penchant for grand-scale, mixed-use developments, with a focus in recent years in its native Melbourne, Adelaide, and most recently Sydney.

The latest play by the Matt Khoo-led developer is in Brisbane, its first foray into the Queensland market. They've picked up a prime&nbsp;<a href="/developments/west-end-qld-4101">West End</a>&nbsp;site from R&amp;F Property, spending just under $50 million on the 1.68-hectare riverfront plot which cost R&amp;F $82.5 million in 2014.

Currently home to Riverside Corporate Park, the site, which borders Donkin and Buchanan Street, is currently occupied by&nbsp;three low-rise commercial buildings.&nbsp;

ICD has yet to reveal its own plans for the A-grade block of land, but previous approvals have been for seven buildings with around 1,000 apartments, a retail plaza, and a riverside walkway.

<img alt="ICD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="035146a7-0cb7-4dba-80a9-c222c7143235" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-21%20at%201.50.40%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=_Zi1F4QY8u6JKkcuE7voWdNUxI_g3qbw" />

ICD has already established a joint venture to work on the project, much like their upcoming Sydney CBD development, Sydney House. They're working with&nbsp;Singapore-listed&nbsp;<a href="/developers/first-sponsor">First Sponsor</a>&nbsp;on the redevelopment of&nbsp;the landmark City Tattersall building on Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD.

<a href="/builders/richard-crookes-constructions">Richard Crookes Constructions</a>&nbsp;has already started the build of the striking new tower that will emerge above the heritage-listed former club that will be restored and converted into heritage hospitality venues.

Sales are expected to commence soon for the 241 one, two and three-bedroom apartments that will be spread across a new 50-level tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=12428 project_image_fid=312149]

ICD is also working with the Adelaide City Council on Market Square, a $400 million mixed-use project with apartments, a hotel, offices, and a childcare centre, as well as a significant retail precinct and a park.

Completion for Market Square is slated for 2026.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=104946 project_image_fid=218790]

ICD's latest project joins the ranks as yet another planned for the Brisbane River, which is going under somewhat of a precinct boom.

Across the road from ICD's recently acquired site, Heidelberg Materials is <a href="/news/qld/multi-tower-precinct-planned-for-south-brisbane-riverfront">proposing three 50-level towers</a> with 620 apartments, above&nbsp;a food and beverage plaza and a 5,400 sqm public park.

Apartments are still under construction at Queens Wharf, Brisbane's landmark riverside development, while <a href="/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe">Tenneriffe Banks</a> by Kokoda Property has been a hit with buyers since it launched to market.

ICD has yet to reveal its own plans for the A-grade block of land, but previous approvals have been for seven buildings with just around 1,000 apartments, retail spaces, and a riverside walkway.

Exclusive: ICD Property secures riverfront West End site for Brisbane's latest multi-tower precinct

Rhett Williams' RG Property Group is the latest to join the residential apartment development scene in the booming Brisbane Games Precinct around Woolloongabba.

RG Property, a diversified developer predominantly playing in the shopping centre and office space nationally, recently acquired the 1,619 sqm site at 169 Wellington Road, East Brisbane, just 800 metres from The Gabba. The site purchase came with approval for a 50-unit, eight-level building.

The developer is seeking to push the height to 10 levels, and increase the density to 72 apartments, in a building dubbed <a href="/new-apartments/banksii-169-wellington-road-east-brisbane-qld-4169">BANKSII</a>,&nbsp;in response to its design that was inspired by the Banksia flower.

Now on offer will be nine one-bedroom apartments, 36 two-beds, and 27 three-bed apartments. A rooftop will home swimming pool, pool deck, a bar, and a barbecue and alfresco area. There will also be a gym on the podium level.

<img alt="Rooftop" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7fa7be62-7ac8-403b-bd3d-651c224b8507" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-09%20at%203.07.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=Y1fPPvWPgoNmUuVhfk__JaRXRXRuE0SS" />

MAS Architecture has come in for the redesign of the building.

In the documents submitted, MAS said the design concept draws deeply from the Grevillea Banksii, a flowering plant native to Queensland which is&nbsp;mostly found on the Queensland coast from Ipswich to Yeppoon, but sometimes further inland. The shrub, or slender tree, has divided leaves with four to twelve narrow lobes, and creamy white to bright scarlet and yellow flowers.

MAS said the 10-level residential tower is "poised to redefine East Brisbane’s urban fabric."

"Framed by the city skyline to the north, the river to the east, and parklands with mountain vistas to the west, the site presents a rare opportunity to celebrate Brisbane’s distinct landscape.

"The re-imagined ground plane aims to anchor the building within its context, combining landscaped elements with communal spaces to enhance its connection to the streetscape. The architectural design responds by creating a striking yet contextually grounded presence, balancing inspiration from nature with a refined urban sensibility."

<img alt="East Brisbane" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="29c62e47-db1c-4a13-bfa0-19a69bf757f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-09%20at%203.07.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=.KkSmV_o4bux1FDVYRr39h2cz0tadKsX" />

Town planner Urbis noted that, whilst the proposal is generally consistent with the existing approved development, there are additional elements that elevate the design, liveability and public realm to achieve a significant improvement compared to the previous design.

"More glazing has been incorporated to maximize the views of Raymond Park and improve the flow of natural light to each apartment within the tower."

RPG held a pre-lodgement meeting with the Brisbane City Council in October, with the council supportive of the proposed amendments, agreeing that the&nbsp;amendments were relatively minor in nature.

The development will include a laneway that will partially open to the sky and connect Wellington Road to&nbsp;Manilla Street. It will also provide the opportunity for a public art installation.

RG also has approved plans for a former bread factory in Fortitude Valley. The plans 15-level tower, rising from the heritage-listed building that would home 118 apartments, were approved in 2023.

The Woolloongabba precinct is a buzz with both private and public infrastructure projects. Mosaic has a second project in Kangaroo Point <a href="/new-apartments/77-linton-street-kangaroo-point">pending launch on Linton Street</a>, while Sarazin is currently developing <a href="/new-apartments/murcia-residences-east-brisbane-9-overend-street-east-brisbane">Murcia on Overend Street</a>.

The design for BANKSII took inspiration from the Banksia flower

First look: RG Property files for Banksii, Brisbane Olympic Games precinct apartment tower

Buying off the plan isn't for everyone.

Every building begins as a new build before aging into the secondhand property market, much like cars transition from the showroom to the used car lot. While most Australians purchase established homes—akin to the prevalence of used cars on our roads—the majority of property buyers are more familiar with existing real estate.

While the concept of off the plan purchasing has been around for decades, the trend only really gained momentum in Australia in the 2000s, following a recovery from the early 1990s recession. As the market stabilized, property developers increasingly saw opportunities in multi-residential developments, particularly in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

As urban centers grew, there was rising demand for apartments, particularly in inner-city areas. The trend toward apartment living grew as people sought more affordable and convenient living options close to city centers.

Now, off the plan buying in Australia is widespread and growing, and the type of purchasing has become favorable for those who are willing to wait for construction to complete on their new home. It favors first home buyers who want to get into the property market but aren't ready to make repayments or are increasingly frustrated by being outbid at auctions in the more traditional established market.

Downsizers have been the biggest movement in recent years. These buyers typically purchased their family home decades ago and are now ready to move into something closer to the city from the suburbs they've lived in. They seek properties that are low-maintenance and “lock and leave,” ideal for travel in retirement, and prefer buildings with high levels of amenities for added convenience.

While there are many factors that contribute to the popularity of off the plan buying, in this article, we’ve looked at eight of the biggest reasons why people choose this option.

<h2>Floorplans designed for 21st-century living</h2>

The majority of Australia's apartment buildings, particularly the classic 'walk-up' apartments, were built four or five decades ago.

While these properties present at a more affordable price point compared to brand-new developments, they don’t have the modern floorplan configurations that today's buyers expect for 21st-century living.

Many of these older buildings still feature communal coin-operated laundries, carport parking, and lack modern intercom systems for security.

New apartments now typically feature integrated study nooks (a response to the growing work-from-home trend), concealed internal laundries, balconies to extend the main living area, and kitchens with floating islands that create additional prep or dining spaces.

<h2>Customisation</h2>

Off the plan buyers often have the option to customise their apartments. This could be as simple as selecting a color scheme or upgrading appliances, or as significant as combining two apartments to create a larger unit or changing internal walls to adjust room configurations.

For an owner to do this in an established apartment, a renovation of that scale could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it may not even get past the strata committee, which can be notoriously difficult when it comes to apartment renovations.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/why-the-ability-to-customise-is-a-crucial-offering-in-the-off-the-plan-apartment-market">Why the ability to customise is a crucial offering in the off the plan apartment market</a>

<h2>Sustainability</h2>

New apartment buildings have a responsibility to focus on sustainable practices.

Most state governments enforce sustainability requirements, and now buildings have to be 7-star NatHERS rated, which means they must include energy-efficient features like double glazing and better insulation.

While it's a positive for the environment, it's also a benefit for new apartment buyers. Energy-efficient appliances and standard practices like solar panels and rainwater harvesting can save thousands on electricity and water bills every year.

You’d be hard-pressed to find an apartment building built before 2000 with solar panels.

<h2>Technology</h2>

Developers today go the extra mile to set their developments apart, and a small feature they often include is advanced technology.

Some developers offer keyless entry systems, whether through keypad door handles or facial recognition, as well as smart home capabilities like routine-driven lights or Wi-Fi-controlled air conditioning. Many fixtures in an apartment, from blinds to air conditioning and lighting, can be controlled remotely via an app, whether at home or not.

This enhances both the functionality and security of living in these buildings.

Developers creating large towers or masterplanned communities in particular understand they're not just building homes, but fostering a community. They&nbsp;go as far as offering a mobile phone application, which, depending on the project, can be used to reserve any of the bookable facilities, request concierge services, or see what community events are taking place.

<h2>Facilities</h2>

One of the biggest differences between apartment buildings from the 1960s and those of today is the level of facilities.

While the facilities offered vary depending on the size of the apartment building, developers dedicate significant resources and floorspace to ensure that residents are well-catered for within the building.

At a minimum, developers allocate large portions of the site for walkable gardens, often landscaped by a professional. Smaller boutique buildings, which may not have a pool or gym, often feature rooftop communal spaces with barbecue facilities and alfresco dining areas.

Larger skyscraper towers go all out with luxury facilities. It's no longer enough to have just a pool and a basic gym. Now, towers are offering facilities that rival those of high-end hotels.

Lap pools, accompanying spas, and daybeds are now standard. Gyms are often replaced with wellness centres that include saunas, hot and cold plunge pools, and rooms reserved for classes or yoga.

Private dining spaces with large communal kitchens have become common, and many developers in Brisbane and the Gold Coast orient these facilities on the rooftop to take advantage of the warmer climate.

In recent years, some towers have even included golf simulators, cinemas, and karaoke rooms. The majority now feature co-working spaces. Buildings with a prominent street presence often include a ground-level café, while those on larger sites may offer multiple hospitality and retail venues at street level, along with office spaces on the lower floors.

Parking is also becoming more innovative, with license plate recognition systems that sometimes eliminate the need for key fobs.

<h2>Location</h2>

The location of new developments tends to be more strategically selected than older buildings.

Developers nowadays ensure their sites are close to major transport links or local amenities like parks, beaches, and shopping areas. Buyers are less willing to compromise on location when they’re paying more than ever before for a new apartment.

<h2>The fact it's brand new</h2>

Much like the customisation reason, the fact that the apartment is brand new is a huge selling point.

There’s no need to upgrade any fixtures or fittings once the apartment is complete. New apartments feature top-of-the-line appliances, typically from brands like SMEG or BOSCH, with some luxury apartments offering Gaggenau appliances.

Additionally, improvements in flooring materials, like engineered timber and stone benchtops, provide durability and a modern finish that is resistant to wear and tear.

<h2>Financial benefits</h2>

Buying off the plan comes with several financial advantages, including potential stamp duty savings in certain states, which can significantly reduce costs on completion.

Additionally, the staggered payment structure in the off the plan market allows buyers to secure a property at today’s prices while saving for settlement during the construction period.

Generally, buyers pay 10 percent upon going unconditional on the contract, with the remaining 10 percent due on completion. Many developers, however, offer flexible deposit terms, which could be as low as five percent.

The deposit is placed in a protected trust account by the developer, ensuring that the money is safe and untouched, while also generating interest during this time. That interest is handed to the buyer upon completion.

Eight reasons why people buy an off the plan apartment

It was 1988 the last time the Brisbane unit market saw a growth rate of over 16 per cent in a calendar year.

2024 has just broken that 36-year record, according to data commissioned by property data analytics firm CoreLogic shows. The&nbsp;0.8 per cent gain in unit values in December pushed the annual growth rate of units in the Queensland capital to 16.6 per cent, far outperfoming the unit markets in Sydney and Melbourne.

The unit market in Brisbane is proving to be more resilient than other capital cities, albeit the 0.8 per cent growth in December is down from the highs of around two per cent per month in the middle of the year.

The median apartment value in Brisbane now sits at $680,000, having started the year at $568,000.

Annual growth in the unit market in Brisbane far surpassed houses. Houses in Brisbane rose 10.2 per cent over the year, with values in December growing at half the pace of units (0.4 per cent).

CoreLogic's National Home Value Index saw a decline for the first time in two years. CoreLogic Research Director, Tim Lawless, said the decline in values is no surprise.

“This result represents the housing market catching up with the reality of market dynamics,” Lawless said.

“Growth in housing values has been consistently weakening through the second half of the year, as affordability constraints weighed on buyer demand and advertised supply levels trended higher.”

<h2>What happened in Brisbane’s off the plan apartment market in December?</h2>

December is traditionally a quiet month in the new apartment market. There were some notable movements however, the biggest in&nbsp;<a href="/developments/south-brisbane-qld-4101">South Brisbane</a> where&nbsp;Heidelberg Materials Australia submitted plans for a multi-tower precinct on a 1.3-hectare site along the riverfront.&nbsp;

The proposal is for three 50-level residential towers with 620 apartments, a food and beverage plaza, and a 5,400 sqm public park.&nbsp;

<img alt="Multi-tower precinct planned for South Brisbane riverfront" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202024-12-23%20at%2012.29.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=KDcTWEPBQ4btDYLGCkMi94uoT_uaeu.u" />

This ambitious project reflects the ongoing transformation of the Kurilpa Precinct, where new planning policies encourage greater density and sustainability benchmarks.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/multi-tower-precinct-planned-for-south-brisbane-riverfront">Multi-tower precinct planned for South Brisbane riverfront</a>

Developer <a href="/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> also filed for a new development, another one in&nbsp;<a href="/developments/new-farm-qld-4005">New Farm</a>&nbsp;where they've recently delivered <a href="/buildings/chalk-by-graya-228-230-moray-street-new-farm">Chalk</a> and <a href="/new-apartments/york-new-farm-299-bowen-terrace-new-farm-qld-4005">York</a>.

They've submitted plans for&nbsp;Ivory New Farm, just four apartments at&nbsp;17 Julius Street. The Julius Street site spans 688 sqm and has 32-metre frontage to the river. It was bought by the Gray family for $8.5 million in late 2022&nbsp;from developer Tom Dooley, who had approved plans for a luxury four-level home.

It was reported that a home at that scale, on that rare of a site, would be worth around $20 million. A mid-1990s home sits on the block currently.

<img alt="First look: GRAYA files plans for Ivory New Farm apartments" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202024-12-11%20at%201.46.45%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=55h24WR43SLDbAokm7Fq2LaoiLc15QVu" />

Popular Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/mosaic-property-group" target="">Mosaic Property Group</a> achieved a landmark pre-sales result at <a href="/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point">The Bedford</a>&nbsp;in <a href="/developments/kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Kangaroo Point</a>, securing $210 million in sales within two weeks.&nbsp;

Positioned on a long-vacant site, The Bedford will deliver 128 apartments and the area’s first full-service supermarket, addressing a critical gap in local amenities.&nbsp;Mosaic’s in-house construction arm is set to commence building in 2025.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/mosaic-secure-210m-in-pre-sales-at-the-bedford-by-mosaic-in-kangaroo-point">Mosaic secure $210m in pre-sales at The Bedford by Mosaic in Kangaroo Point</a>

The median apartment value in Brisbane now sits at $680,000, having started the year at $568,000

City Beat December 2024: Brisbane unit market surges to highest annual growth since 1988

It was just last month that construction materials provider Hanson Australia rebranded to&nbsp;Heidelberg Materials Australia, in line with a global rebrand of the company.

A few weeks later, Heidelberg has submitted plans for a landmark riverside community in South Brisbane.

Heidelberg Materials Australia has had global design firm fjcstudio draw up plans for the 1.3-hectare precinct that will comprise three 50-level residential buildings with 620 apartments, a food and beverage plaza, and a 5,400 sqm public park.

<img alt="Brisbane" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="665cbb01-1e81-4803-840d-c99d27240107" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-12-23%20at%202.29.00%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=BqRWokUw5YXxlNR4uh6UKutIWLXlJn3a" />

Fjcstudio says the eastern and southern towers respond to the Brisbane landscape with a subtle earthy tone facade, while the western tower, providing more premium views, features a largely glazed facade and white cladding.

Of the 620 apartments, only 15 per cent (96) will be one-beds. 122 two-bedroom apartments have been pitched, while 372 of the apartments, 60 per cent, will have three or more bedrooms.

The documents submitted to the Brisbane City Council suggest the&nbsp;prestigious development at the intersection of Nott Street and Hoskings Street "celebrates the area’s rich industrial heritage, seamlessly blending it with the vibrancy of an emerging inner-city lifestyle and the allure of a subtropical climate."

<img alt="Brisbane" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ea9c0d51-619e-421b-aa35-4b565a3930b2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-12-23%20at%202.25.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=0f55SIn5elGITBU_SBmUsc1mTG0.bZ1w" />

Conversations about the development have been ongoing for 12 months prior to the recent submission. They focused on the&nbsp;riverfront parkland proposed dedication, proposed embellishments associated with the proposed park, parking location, and the built form of the tower, including setbacks and separation between the towers.

Each tower will have a rooftop communal level with outdoor terraces and alfresco spaces, as well as another level further down the building with a swimming pool and other facilities.

Urbis said in the town planning report that South Brisbane, and specifically the Kurilpa Precinct, is undergoing significant change in response to Brisbane’s demand for housing supply, affordability, and diversity in the inner-city areas.

"The current external circumstances have resulted in changes in policy including the adoption of the recently gazetted Kurilpa Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) Amendment No 1, which provides for greater density, building height and reduced car parking requirements where design and sustainability benchmarks can be delivered.

"The proposal comprises of an integrated, subtropical, high-density mixed-use development, which capitalises on the site’s location within the Kurilpa TLPI."

<img alt="Brisbane" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5646ca90-3f9c-439a-8724-51879f31e569" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-12-23%20at%202.26.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PjllO59Mho0BU9OcxMbYerQ7L3OHr8PQ" />

Urbis said the proposal "goes above and beyond the usual offering for a residential building with a level of community and public benefit that is unprecedented for a development of this scale in Brisbane."

"This level of community and public benefit are made possible through the additional density allowed for by the TLPI and is more than justified through its suburban, precinct and site-level context. This unique offering of a high-quality, high-density residential product will become an important landmark in South Brisbane and will set the benchmark for development in the region moving forward."

Currently on the site are industrial and warehouse buildings which have been owned and operated by Hanson.

Urbis said the proposal "goes above and beyond the usual offering for a residential building with a level of community and public benefit that is unprecedented for a development of this scale in Brisbane."

Multi-tower precinct planned for South Brisbane riverfront

First home buyers in Victoria and Queensland are increasingly willing to stretch their budgets, surpassing spending trends seen in New South Wales.

While affordability remains a key consideration, data from November and December reveals a growing willingness among first-time buyers in these states to invest more in their first property.

In contrast, in New South Wales, where <a href="/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a> is consistently ranked among the least affordable cities globally, first home buyers are primarily focused on apartments priced between $600,000 and $1 million.

<a href="/new-apartments/elevate-hume-place-crows-nest-25-hume-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Elevate Hume Place</a>, above the Crows Nest Metro station, has attracted significant demand for its one-bedroom apartments that are priced just under $970,000, while the completed apartments in <a href="/buildings/the-grand-residences-eastlakes-16-evans-avenue-eastlakes">The Grand</a> Eastlakes offer an attractive entry at $745,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7652 project_image_fid=291042]

First home buyers in Queensland, mainly Brisbane and the Gold Coast, are increasingly willing to spend over $1 million, particularly for larger homes or apartments in sought-after suburbs.

A prime example is <a href="/new-apartments/citrine-townhomes-rochedale-311-gardner-road-rochedale">Citrine</a>&nbsp;in <a href="/developments/rochedale-qld-4123">Rochedale</a>, where buyers can secure three or four-bedroom townhouses priced between $1 million and $1.5 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=273135]

In the hot Gold Coast new apartment market, buyers are also willing to exceed the $1 million mark, as seen at <a href="/new-apartments/flourish-on-sixth-ave-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach">Flourish on Sixth</a>, the newly released development by Sherpa in Palm Beach.

This development offers some of the most affordable apartments the area has seen in years.

One-bedroom apartments initially listed under $600,000 sold quickly, while two-bedroom units, previously priced in the mid-$800,000s, are now listed just above $1 million — still offering incredible value in one of the Gold Coast's most desirable suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=306036]

In Victoria, while entry-level apartments remain more affordable compared to Queensland and New South Wales, first-home buyers are still opting to spend more for better properties.

The most popular price range for first-time buyers in Victoria is $400,000 to $1 million, but, similar to Queensland, many are willing to stretch their budgets for more desirable options.

<a href="/new-apartments/kindred-mentone-25-brindisi-street-mentone">Kindred Mentone</a>, with its architecturally striking townhouses south of Bayside, has been a standout choice for many first home buyers in this price range.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138768 project_image_fid=214857]

Another popular project in recent months is New Johnston in <a href="/developments/abbotsford-vic-3067">Abbotsford</a>, which offers a range of apartments in the $400,000 to $1 million bracket.

Located at 398-400 Johnston Street, near Victoria Park Station, this development consists of 58 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments across nine levels, with ground-floor retail spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110322 project_image_fid=259899]

<a href="/new-apartments/new-johnston-abbotsford-400-johnston-street-abbotsford-vic-3067">New Johnston</a>, currently under construction by Valeo Constructions, is expected to be completed by late 2025.

First home buyers prepared to spend more in VIC, QLD, than in NSW

Downsizers and rightsizers have dominated the new and off the plan apartment market in 2024.

The two camps, downsizers in particular, are the least impacted by the continued high interest rates compared to a first home buyer or investor, positioning them as a key target for developers. Most of the new apartment developments that have come to the market in 2024 have been large apartments that suit the size and budgets of a downsizer.

Many downsizers have built significant equity in their family homes over the years and are now looking to move into more manageable living spaces, while also securing funds for retirement.

But where are downsizers and rightsizers looking to buy?&nbsp;

In this article, we've looked at the most popular suburbs in Brisbane&nbsp;for both buyer demographics, highlighting some of the most popular developments in those areas.

<h2>Stones Corner</h2>

<a href="/developments/stones-corner-qld-4120">Stones Corner</a>&nbsp;was only officially recognised as a suburb in 2017, having previously just been classed as a precinct in Greenslopes.

Since then the suburb has become popular among downsizers and rightsizers, with close proximity to the Brisbane CBD but a suburban feel to the suburb. The fully rejuvenated Hanlon Park, voted one of the best parks in Australia, has also been a major drawcard, as has the broader infrastructure boom geared around the neighbouring Woolloongabba due to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Taking advantage of the Stones Corner boom is longtime Brisbane developer <a href="/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>, who are developing <a href="/new-apartments/stonebrook-stones-corner-10-flora-street-stones-corner">Stonebrook</a>, a nine-level, owner-occupier focused tower on the fringe of Hanlon Park.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114094 project_image_fid=223427]

The builder-developer, who is focusing on two, three and four-bedroom apartments in the building, is on track for an early 2025 completion of the development which will give its residents direct access to Hanlon Park, lined with walking and riding tracks and a natural waterway.

Stonebrook will be a short four-minute walk from Stones Corner Village which is set to be transformed by Stockwell into a thriving mixed-use village with a new retail and dining precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114094 project_image_fid=249477]

Demand in Stones Corner is expected to continue through 2025 with the likes&nbsp;<a href="/developers/huon-property-group">Huon Property Group</a> wanting to launch their 114-apartment, Cleveland Street development, while up the road Peter Gartshore's Idec Group also have approved plans for a two-tower development with 226 apartments.

<h2>Arana Hills</h2>

Outside of the city in Moreton Bay,&nbsp;<a href="/developments/arana-hills-qld-4054">Arana Hills</a> has proven popular among families, generally the rightsizer demographic, due to its family-friendly community, schooling, abundant parklands, relative affordability, and just 20 minutes from the Brisbane CBD.

Developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/jam-group">JAM Group</a>&nbsp;saw a gap in the market, a market which rarely sees new development, particularly in the townhouse community space.

The vertically-integrated builder-developer is crafting <a href="/new-apartments/nuovo-arana-hills-23-leslie-street-arana-hills">Nuovo</a>, 80 freehold townhouses on Leslie Street, near&nbsp;conservation parks and the Arana Hills Plaza.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141590 project_image_fid=226629]

Nuovo, meaning "new" and "fresh" in Italian, has been designed by&nbsp;<a href="/architects/ceccato-associates">Ceccato + Architects</a>&nbsp;to offer the privacy and individuality of a freestanding home, but without the upkeep.

Each townhouse is a separate dwelling with a freehold title, meaning no shared walls.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141590 project_image_fid=226631]

Construction of Nuovo is underway, with completion of the second and final stage slated for late 2026.

<h2>Rochedale</h2>

Known for its expansive green spaces and luxury houses, <a href="/developments/rochedale-qld-4123">Rochedale</a>&nbsp;has become a highly sought-after suburb for those looking to downsize.

Where previously opportunities to downsize locally were scant, townhouse developers have descended on the area south of Brisbane to offer a realistic option for those wanting to stay in the area but not in a large family home.

Its excellent connectivity to key employment hubs and the Brisbane CBD, along with the ongoing development of premium amenities, positions it as a top choice for individuals and families seeking a semi-rural feel with all the benefits of modern suburban living.

Rightsizers and downsizers have jumped at what national developer <a href="/developers/metro-property-group">Metro Property</a> is putting together in the heart of Rochedale.

Their new development, Citrine, is already 60 per cent sold ahead of its construction completion in mid-2025.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=273135]

<a href="/new-apartments/citrine-townhomes-rochedale-311-gardner-road-rochedale">Citrine</a>&nbsp;will comprise 90 three and four-bedroom townhomes, each either two or three levels, set in a community anchored by a central community area with a&nbsp;resort-style pool and barbecue and dining facilities.

Future upgrades to Rochedale Town Centre promise an even greater array of amenities for residents of Citrine, including a new supermarket, additional retail and dining options, and improved pedestrian access.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136295 project_image_fid=273134]

More development to uplift Rochedale even further is on its way. Developer <a href="/developers/kinstone-group">Kinstone Group</a> has plans for a $380 million mixed-use, masterplanned community with new housing, expansive green spaces, retail, and a boutique hotel and tavern.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kinstone plot $380 million Rochedale precinct, Rochedale Terrace" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Rochedale%20Terrace%20-%20R03%20-%20V02.jpg?VersionId=pL6nB0WXHxCrFKMjuVMmwKnPihnKzrqo" />

It has been envisioned as a ‘new community heart’ for the suburb, linking a large new parkland with existing green space to create a walkable corridor that integrates recreation, retail, and residential—where retiree-downsizers can enjoy an active lifestyle with easy access to amenities and social opportunities.

<h2>Chermside</h2>

Gardner Vaughan Group again were one of the first developers to take a really good look at&nbsp;<a href="/developments/chermside-qld-4032">Chermside</a>, which has earned a&nbsp;reputation as Brisbane’s “mini CBD,” offering unmatched convenience and connectivity.

Home to Westfield Chermside, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres, extensive parklands, and with excellent transport links and proximity to employment and education hubs, Chermside is one of the most popular suburbs for downsizers and rightsizers.

Supply for this market had been limited, before Gardner Vaughan Group revealed <a href="/new-apartments/estilo-on-the-park-chermside-81-kittyhawk-drive-chermside">Estilo on the Park</a>, its three-stage development across the road from 7th Brigade Park, pitched as the very lark parkside location in Chermside.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100682 project_image_fid=186912]

Two of the three towers, Lujosa and Belleza, are both sold out, and the final stage Esencia, has just a handful of apartments remaining, ahead of its completion in early 2025.

Over 95 per cent of enquiry on Apartments.com.au for Estilo on the Park has come from owner-occupiers since the project launched in 2024. More recently, as the two-bedrooms were snapped up, the next home buyers has emerged as the most dominant buyer demographic for the three and four-bedroom apartments that range from 182 sqm to 280 sqm, some of the largest apartments ever produced in the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100682 project_image_fid=186903]

Estilo Residents will also have access to a rooftop terrace with indoor and outdoor dining, in addition to several relaxation zones, a central outdoor pool, and landscaped gardens.

<h2>Milton</h2>

<a href="/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a> has transformed in recent years into a lively and dynamic suburb, appealing to foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and city commuters with a new tranche of&nbsp;eateries and, breweries emerging in recent years.

Excellent transport links and pedestrian-friendly streets make Milton an easy and convenient place to call home, ensuring its appeal for those looking to downsize without leaving the energy of the city behind.

<a href="/developers/kokoda-property">Kokoda</a>&nbsp;Property Group has been one of the most active developers in Milton in recent years. Their <a href="/new-apartments/ruby-ruby-milton-12-crombie-street-milton">Ruby Ruby</a> development is one of just a handful of true tower developments to have launched in the last 18 months, and with that came unprecedented demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139032 project_image_fid=232275]

Over 80 per cent of the apartments within the Crombie Street tower have sold, prompting Kokoda to add a further four levels to the building, resulting in 34 more apartments.

Amenities on offer include a rooftop infinity pool, thoughtfully landscaped BBQ areas and deck, floating daybeds, cabanas, a fire pit, private dining and bar space, a private cinema lounge, billiards room, versatile meeting rooms and a dog wash facility.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139032 project_image_fid=231171]

Prior to Ruby Ruby, Kokoda completed <a href="/buildings/the-ambrose-19-23-mcdougall-street-milton">The Ambrose</a>, which has just one penthouse left since its recent completion. The Ambrose has 174 apartments above two retail spaces.

Kokoda Property Group Founder and Managing Director Mark Stevens said demand far outweighs supply for new apartments within Milton and its surrounds.

In this article, we've looked at the most popular suburbs in Brisbane for both buyer demographics, highlighting some of the most popular developments in those areas.



The most popular Brisbane suburbs for downsizers and rightsizers in 2025

Mosaic Property Group has sold $210 million worth of apartments within the first two weeks of its new Kangaroo Point apartment development, <a href="/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point">The Bedford</a> by <a href="/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic</a>.

The pre-sale result&nbsp;is&nbsp;Mosaic's strongest early Brisbane response ever, coming ahead of its scheduled public launch in January 2025.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point">The Bedford</a>, earmarked for a 3,195 sqm site at 25 Ferry Street that has been vacant for three decades, attracted more than 600 expressions of interest in a few weeks.&nbsp;

Mosaic Founder and Managing Director Brook Monahan noted the high anticipation surrounding the undertaking, set to become the first major development in the area in over a decade, with the bulk of sales coming from the Company’s database.&nbsp;

<img alt="The Bedford by Mosaic" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="db451ca6-af42-4f6c-b693-ef9bc317650f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Building%20NW%20Corner_Dusk.jpg?VersionId=nb083lLOUBqx3kHfXbm9liAyqKY_jpb." /> 
&nbsp; 
"The intense interest generated with minimal advertising speaks to the iconic nature of this development and its exceptional location," Monahan said.

"It also underscores the deep trust and confidence buyers place in the Mosaic brand and ability to deliver with consistency and quality."

Monahan says the Bedford introduces the peninsula’s first full-service supermarket alongside expansive luxury residences.

"With its timeless architectural design, it sets a new benchmark for inner-city living, seamlessly blending convenience and sophistication in one of Brisbane’s most cherished locations.”

Located in the Dockside precinct, The Bedford comprises 128 two and three-bedroom apartments across 17 levels.

Residents will enjoy sweeping city and river views, world-class amenities tailored to contemporary urban living, and easy access to Brisbane's riverside walks, parklands, and the CBD.

<img alt="The Bedford by Mosaic - living and dining area" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc3f1017-3a07-4342-bd3c-2e8704240b8b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/SPH%20Living_Dining_Balcony.jpg?VersionId=MTIhfls3U1TZQk83mTKmxy37bBfB2heV" />

Following acquiring the site from Woolworths, Mosaic collaborated with Gold Coast-based architecture firm <a href="/architects/bda-architecture">BDA</a> to enhance the original Cottee Parker scheme.

The development will feature a 2,236 sqm Woolworths supermarket, accompanied by a café, liquor store, and ample basement parking—addressing a long-standing demand for essential amenities and convenience in the area.

&nbsp;

Solidifying its reputation as one of the region's most prolific developers, Mosaic has successfully delivered over 65 projects since 2012, with a combined value exceeding $2 billion, and has an additional $2 billion in projects either under construction or in the immediate pipeline. Currently, Mosaic is progressing three other sold-out addresses in Brisbane, all on track for completion in 2025.

<img alt="The Bedford by Mosaic - kitchen" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a5d085e3-f413-465f-865a-427a7d042efa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/SPH%20Kitchen.jpg?VersionId=vKtm2TMBPDu_e7sOHwY1lX2J.wBbTVsH" />

Mosaic’s in-house construction arm, now ranked among the top-tier builders in Australia, will undertake The Bedford’s build.

Mosaic Construction recently earned a triple ISO certification in Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health and Safety Management, cementing its reputation as a builder that meets the industry’s highest standards of quality, sustainability and safety.

Mosaic is gearing up for the official sales release of The Bedford, with prices starting from $1.3 million. Early construction is set to commence in 2025, with completion anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134792]

Mosaic is gearing up for the official sales release of The Bedford, with prices starting from $1.3 million

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