Brunswick’s civic heart continues to consolidate around the Merri-bek Arts and Culture Precinct, where a growing cluster of cultural institutions, recreation facilities, and public infrastructure has created one of the inner north’s most defined community hubs.&nbsp;

Within this evolving precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/saxon-street-by-milieu-brunswick-31-saxon-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Saxon Street by Milieu</a> introduces new housing directly alongside the civic anchors that shape daily life in the suburb.

At 31 Saxon Street, the project sits immediately beside Brunswick Baths and within moments of Brunswick Library and Town Hall, longstanding institutions that support both community services and everyday amenity.&nbsp;

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Next door, the newly delivered Balam Balam Place arts precinct has emerged as a central piece of Merri-bek Council’s cultural strategy, bringing together creative studios, exhibition spaces, maternal and child health services, and community programming in a purpose-built civic facility. Together, these destinations have reinforced the surrounding blocks as a focal point for public life in Brunswick.

This part of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> forms a key pocket within the suburb’s designated Major Activity Centre, where long-term planning has prioritised walkability, civic investment, and increased housing supply close to transport and services. The surrounding street network reflects that strategy, with compact blocks, established retail corridors and active transport links supporting a lifestyle that is largely navigable on foot.

Within a few minutes’ walk, Sydney Road delivers one of Melbourne’s most recognisable streets, known for its long-running mix of independent retailers, international dining venues and everyday convenience. Tram routes along Sydney Road provide frequent connections south toward the CBD and north through Brunswick and Coburg, while Jewell Station on the Upfield line sits within roughly a ten-minute walk, offering direct train access into the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348839]

Active transport also plays a significant role locally. The nearby Upfield Bike Path forms a key north–south cycling corridor linking Brunswick through Parkville and into the central city, reinforcing the area’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s most accessible inner-urban neighbourhoods for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The surrounding civic cluster extends beyond cultural infrastructure. Siteworks, a nearby creative hub supporting artists and community organisations, adds to the concentration of cultural activity in the immediate area. Educational institutions such as Brunswick North Primary School, Brunswick Secondary College and RMIT’s Brunswick campus are also within easy reach, contributing to the suburb’s diverse resident base spanning families, students and professionals.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348841]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-clements-burrows-architects">Jackson Clements Burrows Architects</a> in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> and landscape architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, the nine-level building has been shaped to respond to the surrounding streetscape, with lower levels aligning to the street and upper storeys stepping back to soften its scale and improve solar access.&nbsp;

Curved balcony forms reference nearby heritage architecture, while the development’s public realm improvements include a widened footpath along Saxon Street to strengthen pedestrian connections between the precinct’s civic sites.

Sustainability also underpins the project’s approach. The building is designed to operate entirely on electric infrastructure supported by rooftop solar, with an average 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating and EV-charging readiness across the development. Shared resident amenities will include a landscaped rooftop terrace with barbecue and covered dining areas intended to encourage informal interaction between residents.

Saxon Street marks developer Milieu's fifth project in Brunswick and continues its focus on design-led infill housing across Melbourne’s inner suburbs.&nbsp;

Construction has commenced through reputable builder Manresa, who will complete the project in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136434]

Joel Robinson

Saxon Street by Milieu connects residents to Brunswick’s cultural and civic core

Within <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>&nbsp;takes a different approach to larger residences, moving away from the constraints of a single level.

In Grand Residence 3.05, known as the Lustre, plays out across two levels, with a mezzanine configuration that is uncommon in apartment living.

Lustre is a four-bathroom residence where the layout creates a clear distinction between shared and private zones, with uninterrupted views toward the Dandenong Ranges extending the sense of openness from the main living areas.

Entry is to the primary living level, where the kitchen, dining, and living areas are arranged as one continuous space. Timber flooring runs throughout, with a fireplace set within the living zone. Full-height glazing brings in natural light, supported by double glazing that improves thermal performance.

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The kitchen is configured as both a working and social space. A large island bench provides seating, while a walk-in pantry extends storage beyond typical apartment expectations.

Gaggenau appliances, including a 900mm gas cooktop and 600mm oven, are integrated into a layout that connects directly to the adjacent dining and living areas, and outward to the terrace. This balcony includes a built-in BBQ, reinforcing the apartment’s capacity to accommodate larger gatherings without compromising internal space.

A dedicated laundry room, powder room, and a wine cellar area sit discreetly off the main living zone, ensuring that functional requirements are resolved without encroaching on primary living areas. The master suite is also located on this level, designed as a retreat with a walk-through wardrobe and an ensuite that includes double vanities, a bath, and a dedicated dressing table.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]

The mezzanine level introduces a second layer of living, rather than simply additional bedrooms. Two large bedrooms with built-in robes are positioned alongside a central bathroom, while a secondary lounge and study area create a self-contained zone suited to children, guests, or extended family. A large storage room further supports long-term usability, addressing a common shortfall in apartment design.

This separation of levels is central to how the residence functions day-to-day. It allows the lower level to operate as the primary entertaining and living space, while the upper level provides privacy and flexibility. The result is closer in feel to a townhouse or standalone home, but with the benefits of apartment living, security, and low maintenance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

Candela is close to 80 per cent complete, with Ironside delivering construction ahead of its expected October 2026 completion. The development comprises 58 residences, with a strong owner-occupier profile and a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments and loft-style townhouses.

Candela has exclusive access to private amenities, including a residential lounge and rooftop terrace. A charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre are located on the ground level, designed to foster community connection and extend the living experience beyond individual apartments without competing with the scale of homes like Lustre.

Candela, positioned in the heart of Ivanhoe Village, reinforces the practicality of the address. With a Walk Score of 90, residents are within immediate reach of cafés, retail, parklands, and Ivanhoe Station, while also benefiting from proximity to established schools and healthcare services.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Inside Lustre: Grand Residence 3.05 at Candela Ivanhoe

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a> is being shaped around a simple but increasingly rare premise in apartment development: that the built environment should actively support residents’ wellbeing.&nbsp;

Located on the former ABC Studios site on Gordon Street in Melbourne’s south-east, the new neighbourhood sits on an expansive 11,740 sqm site neighbouring the heritage-listed Rippon Lea Estate, whose gardens date back more than 140 years.

Rather than positioning wellness as an add-on amenity, the development integrates it into the physical planning of the site. Architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> is arranged across six low-rise buildings set within extensive landscaping designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, with more than 40 per cent of the land dedicated to gardens and green space. Walking trails, pocket gardens, and mature trees are threaded between buildings, creating a network of green corridors that encourage residents to move through the precinct on foot and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288420]

Milieu has intentionally framed these gardens as an extension of the neighbouring Rippon Lea Estate. More than 16,000 new plants will be introduced across the site, with species carefully selected to protect and complement the area’s ecological significance. The approach focuses on strengthening existing environmental conditions while establishing new habitats that support native wildlife, reinforcing the role of the landscape as both an active ecosystem and a defining element of daily life.

A private resident gate will provide direct access to the historic grounds during opening hours, allowing residents to move seamlessly between the development’s landscaped gardens and the estate’s expansive lawns, lakes, and mature trees. The project’s gardens will also be maintained by the same gardeners responsible for Rippon Lea, reinforcing the visual and ecological continuity between the two landscapes.

Complementing the landscape is a dedicated wellness hub designed to support everyday health and recovery. Residents will have access to a gym alongside yoga and Pilates studios, while mineral pools and infrared saunas provide spaces for relaxation and restorative wellbeing. Shared lounges, workshop spaces, and pet care facilities expand the concept of wellness beyond fitness, creating opportunities for social connection and community interaction within the precinct.

Environmental performance is another key component of the project’s wellbeing focus. Elsternwick Gardens will be entirely fossil-fuel-free, with homes designed to operate on renewable electricity rather than gas. Passive design strategies, including cross-flow ventilation, high-performance insulation, and thermally broken double glazing, are intended to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while reducing energy demand. Solar photovoltaic systems will power common building services, while rainwater harvesting will help irrigate the extensive landscaping across the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=361030]

Milieu Founder and Managing Director Michael McCormack says the scale and setting of the project allowed the team to take a different approach to urban apartment living.

“This site represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something truly special,” McCormack says.

“Through that process, we arrived at a design that centres on a fully realised natural landscape – a series of private, interconnected gardens that encircle the homes and extend seamlessly from Rippon Lea Estate.”

Elsternwick Gardens will comprise three residential offerings, Gordon Place, Ripponlea Terrace, and The Garden Pavilion, each designed for owner-occupiers and shaped around high-quality interior design by Woods Bagot, K.P.D.O., and Flack Studio. The first stage, Gordon Place, includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed with a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living and sustainability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288412]

Milieu recently appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/brady-constructions">Brady Constructions</a> to deliver the project, marking a key milestone for the development. The appointment follows the demolition of the former studio buildings on the Gordon Street site, with construction progressing toward the delivery of the nature-led community.

Situated between the established villages of Elsternwick and Ripponlea, the development balances its garden setting with strong urban connectivity. Residents will be within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, and local retail, while nearby train and tram connections provide quick access to Melbourne’s CBD and the beaches of Elwood and St Kilda.

With construction underway and the first residents expected to move in by early 2027, Elsternwick Gardens represents a growing shift in apartment development toward environments that prioritise wellbeing as much as density or location. By placing landscape, sustainability, and shared spaces at the centre of the design, Milieu is positioning the project as a residential neighbourhood where wellness is not just promoted, but built into the structure of everyday life.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136535]

Elsternwick Gardens' wellness-first design strategy

Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a> has made a striking debut on the Gold Coast, officially unveiling its $250 million COMO development in Varsity Lakes, a lifestyle-driven residential project anchored by an extensive rooftop wellness and activity precinct.

Having recently launched to market, construction has already been fast-tracked by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/5point-projects">5Point Projects</a>, ensuring momentum continues on what is set to become a landmark residential address for the growing Varsity Lakes community.

Located at 22 Lake Street, Varsity Lakes, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO</a> will comprise 156 apartments across 16 levels, comprising one-, two- and three-bedroom residences designed for modern living. However, it is the project’s rooftop amenity offering that sets COMO apart.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363510]

Designed as a dedicated wellness and recreation hub, the rooftop will feature a 25-metre lap pool, fully equipped gymnasium, and multiple pickleball and paddleball courts - amenities rarely seen in boutique apartment projects.

Residents will also have access to a sauna and plunge baths, while landscaped gardens and relaxation zones will provide tranquil spaces overlooking sweeping panoramic views across the Gold Coast skyline.

The rooftop precinct has been designed to function as the social and wellness heart of the development, encouraging residents to embrace an active, balanced lifestyle within their own building.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363512]

Red &amp; Co director David Laverty said the amenity offering was central to the project’s design from the outset.

“Amenities were at the forefront of our decisions,” Laverty said.

“Buyers today are looking for more than just an apartment - they want a lifestyle that promotes health, connection and balance.

“The rooftop at COMO has been designed to be the epicentre of that lifestyle, with a suite of wellness and recreation facilities that are quite unique for a boutique development of this scale.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363514]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, the residences prioritise liveability, featuring spacious layouts, 2.7-metre ceilings and high-quality finishes throughout.

The development sits beside Bond University, placing residents within walking distance of education, retail and dining options within the vibrant Varsity Lakes precinct, including Robina Town Centre, Varsity Lakes Train Station and a range of leading schools.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

Laverty said the location was a key driver behind Red &amp; Co’s decision to bring the project to the Gold Coast.

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/varsity-lakes-qld-4227">Varsity Lakes</a> was a clear choice for us to invest in as it’s a lifestyle hub that seamlessly blends lakeside living with urbanity,” he said.&nbsp;

“Como will capitalize on this great location, delivering a project that not only creates premium homes, but a lifestyle defined by community, wellbeing, and connectivity.”

Red &amp; Co has delivered more than 500 apartments and townhouses across 26 projects in Brisbane in recent years, with COMO marking the company’s first major Gold Coast development.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Red & Co unveils amenity-rich Como development in Varsity Lakes

Gold Coast developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/big-projects">Big Projects</a> has secured approval for its second Mermaid Beach project.

The developer, currently selling <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-frederick-mermaid-beach-2265-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Frederick in Nobby Beach</a>, has secured approval for its next project just 1.5 kilomnetres up the road.

The new development, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glenelg-residences-2462-2472-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Glenelg Residences</a>, has been designed by BDA Architecture and&nbsp;will have just under 100 apartments across an 11-storey building&nbsp;at 2462–2472 Gold Coast Highway, on the corner of Glenelg Avenue just under 300m from the future Mermaid Beach Light Rail stop.

The apartments, a mix of two- and three-bedrooms, will sit above a retail-focused ground plane and under extensive rooftop resident amenities.

<img alt="Exclusive: Big Projects plot Mermaid Beach apartment development, Glenelg Residences" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screen%20Shot%202024-06-11%20at%209.55.04%20am.png?VersionId=z6NV4izeuvhBSSVlY6vK6TPO1LxrFeaG" />

BDA said in its planning submission that the project is intended to support the area’s transition toward higher-density, mixed-use living. “This project offers the opportunity to generate appropriate higher-intensity development within the future Light Rail corridor of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Mermaid Beach</a>,” the submission noted.

At ground level, Glenelg Residences will include eight retail tenancies designed to activate the street frontage, complemented by a basement bar offering an additional hospitality element. Above, residents will have access to a rooftop amenity deck featuring an infinity pool, hot and cold plunge spas, day beds, and barbecue facilities.

The architectural approach adopts a restrained material palette of brick, textured concrete, and integrated landscaping, with cantilevered concrete frames and cascading planting intended to soften the built form. BDA described the design as aiming to create “a memorable sculptural mid-rise mixed-use building” that responds to both its coastal setting and urban context.

<img alt="Exclusive: Big Projects plot Mermaid Beach apartment development, Glenelg Residences" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202024-06-11%20at%209.55.45%20am.png?VersionId=cpjIVBqcT_sujmo2UMWkVyLcQ7WGJHaQ" />

The approval comes as the City of Gold Coast continues to plan for significant population growth, with regional targets requiring more than 100,000 new high-density dwellings by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-36" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-17" dir="auto">
Big Projects, led by Matthew and John Barrett, is part of a growing cohort of developers that deliver construction in-house, providing a high level of confidence to prospective purchasers.
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150260]

Big Projects secures approval for Glenelg Residences in Mermaid Beach

Byron Bay

Prominent luxury property developer Luxcon Group are set to break into two new markets.

The Sydney-based developer, who has a string of high-end projects across Sydney's eastern suburbs and Melbourne, is set to launch two new high-end projects in Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay.

The two projects, Escape in Surfers Paradise on Garfield Terrace and Bohemian in Byron Bay on Jonson Street, located on the popular tourist spots most sought-after streets, will be part of Luxcon's new Coastal Collection.

Escape, Luxcon's first project in Queensland, will comprise 28 full floor and dual level penthouse-style residences, each with four bedrooms. There will be two floors of amenities including a pool, gym, sauna and spa.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113448 project_image_fid=206730]

Sydney architecture firm PBD Architects suggested in their design statement submitted as part of the development application process back in July that Escape&nbsp;will be an iconic tower overlooking the ocean from the coast of Surfers Paradise, towering out amongst the Gold Coast cityscape as a new destination for those looking for resort-style luxury living.

"Its uniqueness is comparably contemporary and "edgy" amongst a sea of beachfront architecture incorporating coastal curvature and sleek ripple effects in their designs. It also creates a highly sophisticated urban design," PBD noted.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113448 project_image_fid=206732]

"Inspired by the natural transition or movement from the coast to the air by the cooling coastal breeze, Japanese art of paper folding, origami, a simple rectangular paper begins to articulately transform into a sculptural object."

PBD were also in charge of the designs for&nbsp;Bohemian at 96 Jonson Street Byron Bay. That will home 44 two and three-bedroom apartments, at the heart of Byron Bay’s main strip and just moments to the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108275 project_image_fid=206721]

The Byron Bay project will sit above a 1,750sqm retail shopping and international food plaza and will also include a rooftop terrace with infinity edge pool, gym and spa.

Both developments will feature VZUG Swiss appliances and interiors by Coco Republic.

The Bohemian and Escape developments will see prices start from $2.2 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108275 project_image_fid=206722]

Highland Project Marketing CEO David Highland, who secured quick-fire sales at the Sydney-based Sammut's Coast development down the road, said&nbsp;it is a pleasure working alongside such a highly credentialed developer to bring the exclusive range of apartments to market.

“It is incredibly rewarding to be collaborating with Luxcon to deliver these projects and doing the unveiling at Margaret was phenomenal,” Mr. Highland said.

“We never expected anything less from Neil Perry, but with Margaret he raised the stakes and having him there on the night was just wonderful.”

Luxcon Director Ilya Melnikoff said the team are excited to have launched the projects to market and look forward to what is to come.

“We have worked closely with PBD Architects to evolve a design that is both sophisticated and functional, capturing the essence of true coastal luxury living,” Melnikoff said.

Luxcon Director Ilya Melnikoff said the team are excited to have launched the projects to market and look forward to what is to come

Luxcon launch new Coastal Collection apartments in Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay

Byron Bay's only beachfront backpacker hostel is set to make way for a new luxury off the plan apartment project.

Vitale Property Group are behind the plans for the luxury development which will comprise just 26 three-bedroom apartments across three separate three-level buildings on an amalgamated site incorporating Cavvanbah, Milton, and Shirley Street's.

Hayball has designed the project with apartments starting from 130 sqm internally and ranging in size to as large at 170 sqm internally. Each apartment will have large outdoor areas, with balcony space starting from 50 sqm and ground floor terraces from 71 sqm, the latter each with their own private lap pool.

The eight apartments that will sit on the third level of the project will have two levels, the upper level featuring 125 sqm plus roof terraces. Every apartment will also have parking for three cars.

There will be extensive central landscaping on the ground floor, nearly 1,400 sqm, which will incorporate a resort-style pool set beside an established Moreton Bay Fig.

<img alt="The luxury Byron Bay pool area" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="741df418-5be9-45da-9f10-5af4596f9c17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-11%20at%2010.32.42%20am.png?VersionId=V_6F8uM6i_DzTZ8VYcZxuggC.QgQ.Gz5" />

The rooftop will also have resident amenity in the shape of more landscape gardens.

Development site amalgamation specialists GV Property Group put together the site.

The Brisbane-based Vitale Property Group led by husband and wife team Chris and Letitia Vitale, are behind the Burleigh Heads hotel and apartment development The Mondrian. That will home Australia's first Ritz Carlton hotel as well as 84 luxury apartments.&nbsp;

The new Byron project is a rare opportunity to buy an off the plan apartment in the tourist mecca.

Earlier this year Sydney developers Podia launched The Barbotine, a collection of hotel-style apartments which operate in a similar vein to Airbnb, but will be managed more like a hotel when the apartment owner isn't in residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112757 project_image_fid=203482]

Podia had The Calile Hotel, Brisbane designers, Richards &amp; Spence, create the project at 116-118 Jonson Street, next to Mercato on Byron, the most used gateway into town. There will be just 41 apartments on offer across three low-rise levels, anchored by a landscaped central courtyard which will meet a mix of public retail, wellness and dining venues.

Vitale Property Group are behind the plans for the luxury development which will comprise just 26 three-bedroom apartments

Byron Bay's Backpackers Inn to become new luxury apartment development

Most known for where Chris Hemsworth lives, Byron Bay is set for a rare apartment development which will benefit the part-time investor, part-time holiday maker.

The Sydney developed Podia has launched The Barbotine, a collection of hotel-style apartments which operate in a similar vein to Airbnb, but will be managed more like a hotel when the apartment owner isn't in residence.

Podia had The Calile Hotel, Brisbane designers, Richards &amp; Spence, create the project at 116-118 Jonson Street, next to Mercato on Byron, the most used gateway into town. There will be just 41 apartments on offer across three low-rise levels, anchored by a landscaped central courtyard which will meet a mix of public retail, wellness and dining venues.

There are two, three and four-bedroom hotel-apartments, which offer an alternative to Airbnb ownership. Buyers will be able to own their own hotel residence to use as both a part-time personal Byron retreat and also use as an income stream when not using the property.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-bonobo-by-raes-byron-bay"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1064" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-07-25_at_9.41.54_am.png" width="1452" /></a>

Podia director Michael Grassi said The Barbotine intentionally redefines the hotel experience and curates an unforgettable destination in Byron Bay that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“The Barbotine is a new concept catering for guests who want the intimacy and home away from home feel of an Airbnb, but with the service of a boutique luxury hotel; and for investors who want the returns of an incredible holiday property but without the hassle of upkeep and security," Grassi said.

The dual key apartments allow apartments to be divided into two completely separate apartments, while also cater for larger groups.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-bonobo-by-raes-byron-bay"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1098" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-07-25_at_9.41.59_am.png" width="1658" /></a>

The hotel will be managed by Jeremy &amp; Jones, purveyors and operators of independent luxury hotels and deliver a guest experience unlike any other that is expected to make it a premier accommodation choice in a town where hotel-style tourism accommodation is scarce.

Jeremy &amp; Jones Director Jeremy Holmes said this is apartment living delivered through the lens of a hotelier.

"Not only will guests enjoy the kind of luxury personalisation you’d expect of a hotel, but owners visiting for the weekend benefit from a concierge they can instruct from afar to have a surfboard tucked away in their room ready for their arrival,” Holmes said.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-bonobo-by-raes-byron-bay"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1110" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-07-25_at_9.42.06_am.png" width="1996" /></a>

A communal rooftop crowns the building and features a central swimming pool set amid landscaped surrounds, with private rooftop terraces adding further amenity.

Construction is expected to commence mid-2022, targeting a completion in late 2023.

The Sydney developed Podia has launched The Barbotine, a collection of hotel-style apartments which operate in a similar vein to Airbnb, but will be managed more like a hotel when the apartment owner isn't in residence.



Rare Byron Bay off the plan apartment development an alternative to Airbnb management

Byron Bay has enjoyed a COVID-induced boom, with capital city holiday makers and investors driving the housing market&nbsp;in the small northern New South Wales town.&nbsp;

But the area is set to welcome a new breed of holiday maker. There&#39;s rare plans for new apartments on Jonson Street, the main street on the way in to town.

Low-key Melbourne investor Adam Garrison&nbsp;and Singaporean real estate tycoon Dr Stanley Quek are behind&nbsp;$52 million proposal for the&nbsp;mixed-use precinct at 90-96 Jonson Street, with local architect Harley Graham Architects designing the three-level building.

That&nbsp;includes ground level&nbsp;retail, some 1,750 sqm which will&nbsp;incorporate&nbsp;a spice alley. There will also be a cascading pool in the landscaped piazza by Daniel Baffsky at 360 Degrees.

Baffsky was&nbsp;given an extensive brief to green the structure in keeping with local subtropical climate and the buildings orientation.

<img alt="" height="674" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/90-96_jonson_st_byron_bay_2_0.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The plans submitted to the Byron Shire Council. Source: Harley Graham Architects

Levels one and two will be a mix&nbsp;two and three-bedroom apartments, ranging from 90 sqm to 120 sqm. Each will have a front terrace and a rear balcony, and most will have an internal lush lightwell.

Crowning the development will be a resident only rooftop, with swimming pool, pool deck, residential lawn, solar farm, yoga deck and native walking gardens.

There was a pre-lodgement meeting in March where it was revealed that when the notification to local Byron residents was distributed, there were three&nbsp;individuals expressing interest in the residential apartments, with two further sales enquiries received after the consultation closed.

They wanted to be kept updated on the proposal, however, were advised that a number of assessments and plans were yet to be finalised and that their interest was premature.&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="658" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/90-96_jonson_st_byron_bay_3_0.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The plans submitted to the Byron Shire Council. Source: Harley Graham Architects

There&#39;s concerns from locals the apartments will just become lucrative holiday lets and not address the chronic shortage or housing in the area. There are some 3,500 properties listed on Airbnb in the Byron Shire,&nbsp;

It&#39;s the second plans lodged on Jonson Street this year.&nbsp;

Developer Podia has <a href="/news/nsw/27-million-byron-bay-serviced-apartment-project-lodged-by-podia">proposed a $27 million development including serviced apartments</a> at the Holiday Village Backpackers site in Byron Bay.

The project is proposed for 116 and 118 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, currently the Holiday Village Backpackers.

DESIGN SUMMARY

The overall design aims for an environmentally and socially sustainable development. Delivering an integrated experience between the architecture, landscape and varied public and private activates of the site, creating a vibrant precinct to live and visit. This is achieved through multiple devices, including;

&bull; Improved pedestrian connection 
&bull; Activated public frontage 
&bull; Inclusion of fine grain retail spaces 
&bull; Contemporary residential amenity 
&bull; Connection to public amenity including greenspace and transport 
 
The landscape is conceived as a holistic urban garden. The landscape is a counterpoint to the modern architecture and a complement to the district &rsquo;s vernacular. It is a juxtaposition of a wild oasis and a familiar domestic courtyard. It is both elevated and vertical, and being integral to the architecture, demonstrates a progressive whole-of-building approach to the urban landscape that breaks free of the typology of peripheral and interstitial boundary treatments and singular ground floor or podium landscape. The whole of building landscape approach seeks to create a cohesive environmental and socially sustainable landscape and living building.

The sequence of landscape components (streetscape and piazza, retail lane, podium gardens, and residential amenity) combine to create an integrated, verdant and diverse sequence of spaces that contributes to both the private domain of the building&rsquo;s residents and the public domain of the broader Byron precinct.

The overall design aims for an environmental and socially sustainable landscape and an integrated landscape experience with the buildings architecture and function, activating the site and creating a vibrant precinct and place to live. The podium gardens have been designed with the intention to form a focus on the development and provide complete site cover of landscape. These spaces also provide social and recreational opportunities for residents, while contributing to the urban character, visual quality and biodiversity of the area.

This development demonstrates a progressive approach to landscape integration with residential development. In this project, the garden contributes as much to the character of the street and broader precinct as it does to the enjoyment of the buildings tenants. The studied integration of landscape and architecture also provides environmental benefits including reduction of the heat island effect, stormwater absorption and creation of urban habitat.

Fundamentally the Landscape Architectural design sets out to provide a stimulating environment responsive to the scale of the development that adheres to the local planning controls, including ESD initiatives and native planting requirements. Environmentally, the diversity of landscape expressions and significant site coverage will help reclaim a site that is predominantly carparking into a habitat for local flora and fauna.

Levels one and two will be a mix two and three-bedroom apartments, ranging from 90 sqm to 120 sqm

Byron Bay set for new apartments as plans for $52 million mixed-use Jonson Street precinct lodged

Developer Podia has proposed a $27 million development including serviced apartments at the Holiday Village Backpackers site in Byron Bay.

The project is proposed for 116 and 118 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, currently the Holiday Village Backpackers.

Byron Shire Council has placed the proposal on public exhibition.

It&nbsp;involves 41 serviced apartments, ground-floor retail and dining spaces, plus a communal garden.

The proposed three-storey building has been designed by Richards &amp; Spence Architects lead by architect Ingrid Richards.

There will be a rooftop pool and basement carparking.

The application notes the process of urban renewal presented the town with an opportunity to address the major environmental challenges including climate change; health and wellbeing and resource depletion.

&quot;These sustainability principles give effect to this broad agenda for a more sustainable, attractive and competitive town,&quot; the application advises.

Katie Wilson, the proprietor of Byron Bay Backpackers, wrote a letter of &ldquo;unwavering support&rdquo; for the proposed development, according to the Byron Shire News.

&ldquo;Our family have owned and operated at this site for 38 years and it is quite emotional letting go, however, we are so pleased with the architectural design and overall vision for the site that we are very seriously considering our association with the property by purchasing one of the apartments within the development,&rdquo; Ms Wilson wrote.

The Sydney developer Podia paid $18.55 million in February to buy the 4287 sqm site after 150 buyer inquiries.

Head of development at Podia, Michael Grassi, said the firm was &quot;passionate&quot; about Byron and want to contribute positively to the Byron Bay town centre.

&ldquo;We wanted to open up the site, maximising solar access to the internal public park so locals, guests and visitors have more green space in the centre of town to lie under a tree and take a break,&rdquo; architect Ingrid Richards told the local paper.

&ldquo;Merging private and public spaces, the courtyard is pivotal.&rdquo;

Richards &amp; Spence are best known for their Brisbane project, Calile Hotel.

Podia is currently constructing 25 apartments in the Premier Place development at 14-20 Premier Street, Neutral Bay.

It has been designed by architect ess lifestyle, with interiors by Richard Stanisich, and landscaping by Dangar Barin Smith.

Premier Place comprises a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, including garden homes and a spectacular penthouse with city, skyline and Harbour Bridge views.

The last four three-bedroom apartments were priced from $3,700,000-$3,900,000, with two two-bedders priced from $2 million through Atlas by LJ Hooker.

Last July Podia took a put and call option over 18 strata lots at 45 McLaren Street, North Sydney with plans to build a larger mixed-use development.

The structured deal was worth more than $55 million, according to market sources, with the Australian Financial Review reporting it was contingent upon the site being rezoned to allow for higher density development.

The 1792sqm site is located 100m from the future Victoria Cross Metro station.

The $27 million development at 116 and 118 Jonson Street proposes 41 serviced apartments, plus retail and dining spaces and a communal garden

jchancellor

$27 million Byron Bay serviced apartment project lodged by Podia

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The popular ARIA-award winner Tones and I has returned to her roots where she made her name as a singer.

The pop singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, has spent $3.3 million on two holiday rentals on the same block just out of town. The homes, known as Starr Cottage and Skye Lodge, share the 1010 sqm parcel.

She's understood to be honouring rental bookings for the properties, with Starr Cottage still available to book at $880 a night. However, despite bookings coming up, Skye Lodge is no longer available for further bookings.

Skye Lodge (pictured top and below) is the grander of the two homes, comprising six bedrooms and three bathrooms, a media room, games room and its own pool. 

<img alt="" height="796" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/skye_lodge_2.jpg" width="1200">

Starr Cottage has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a private parents retreat upstairs with ensuite. The lounge opens to private backyard with a swimming pool set in established gardens.

On the property is a separate self-contained one bedroom managers quarters with its own private courtyard and entry. 

Marketed as ticking all the boxes for an investor, owner occupier or holiday maker, both homes have been renovated in keeping with their heritage features including tongue and groove VJ walls, double hung timber windows, ceiling roses and hardwood timber floors.

Watson bought the property in a company name, Johnny Run Away, the name of her debut single released last year. The music video depicts her time busking in Byron, with her CD’s available at $10.

Last year Tones spent $5.1 million on a five bedroom mansion in Melbourne Mt Eliza, the suburb where she was born.
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The pop singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, has spent $3.3 million on two holiday rentals on the same block just out of town



Tones and I spends $3.3 million in Byron Bay

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Australian actor Liam Hemsworth has paid $6.5 million for his Byron Bay retreat.

It was a former wedding venue at Newrybar.

The youngest brother of Luke and Chris secured the 3.87 ha hinterland property in November.

The home, marketed in 2011 as one of the finest homesteads in the Byron Bay hinterland, was built in a U-shape around a central swimming pool and pavilion. It was restored and re-designed by its former owner, architect and Hollywood production company director Jason Schepisi.

<img alt="" height="820" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hemsworth_2_new.jpg" width="1200">

Schepisi had paid $1.3 million for the property before undertaking a full scale renovation. It was sold in 2013 for $1.8 million to the Rooke family. 

It has five bedrooms and two living areas.

Across the garden courtyard there's a second residence, a two bedroom apartment.

Now all three Hemsworth brothers, and their parents, have a Byron Bay property.

It all kicked off in with the purchase at Broken Head by Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky in 2014 for $7 million.
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The former wedding venue comes with a five-bedroom house plus a detached entertainment pavilion and a synthetic grass area.

Actor Liam Hemsworth secures $6.5 million Byron Bay retreat

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The Nick Scali boss Anthony Scali has continued his weekender splurge amid his booming furniture retail business.
Anthony spent $9 million on the Iluka Road dress circle at Palm Beach earlier this year, expanding his footprint on the exclusive street to three properties.
And now he’s emerged as a buyer in Byron.
Opting for the hinterland, Scali has paid $4.2 million for a 53.4 hectare in Wilsons Creek.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/12/Scali%203.jpg" alt="">
It had been marketed earlier this year as a unique hinterland estate with Byron Shire’s best views, with 270 degree panoramic views from the private property near Mullumbimby.
The three bedroom home was built on the top of the mountain ridge, in around 8,000 sqm of landscaped surrounds which include a 12 metre pool.
The three bedroom pavilion style home was built from Oregon and blue stone.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/12/Scali%202.jpg" alt="">
There’s also a two bedroom, two bathroom guest house with separate spa room.
It sold with concept plans to turn the home in to a world class resort style home. 
Scali’s Sydney home has been on the Point Piper waterfront Wunulla Road since 2008.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Nick Scali boss Anthony Scali buys Byron weekender

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Byron Bay's hot property market has continued its bull run, with a Wategos Beach home reportedly smashing the township's price record after less than a week formally on the market.
The luxury home at the pricey end of town secured just shy of the top end of its $20 million to $22 million guide.
The Marine Parade property was listed by the recruitment industry veteran Geoff Morgan, co-founder of Morgan &amp; Banks, and his wife Roslyn.
It was a second record for the home, which topped the Byron Bay price charts when the Morgan's bought it for $1.24 million in 1994.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/10/2/Marine%203.png" alt="">
They had architect Timothy Moon redesign the home on the 665 sqm, toward the coveted end of Marine Parade facing Wategos Beach.
The property, set in landscaped gardens with manicured lawns, now spans two levels and has five bedrooms, a number of indoor and outdoor living areas and a heated infinity pool.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/10/2/Marine%202.png" alt="">
It features recycled one hundred year old timber throughout.
The sale, secured by LH Hooker Byron Bay agent Glenn Irwin and LJ Hooker Avnu agent Michael Coombs, in conjunction with Helene Adams and Vanessa Cole, of First National Real Estate Byron Bay, tops the previous high, set last year when Eli Havas, the wife of F45 founder Adam Gilchrist, paid $18.85 million for Wategos House, down the road, from developer Danny Goldberg.
The whisper of its sale leaked so quickly the national listing sites still had it available for sale.
 
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Byron Bay record broken with near $22 million sale

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As Covid-19 travel restrictions have eased, property sellers and real estate agents in Byron Bay have heaved a collective sigh of relief, according to the August Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The valuation firm presented an 'investor playbook' of real estate performance within each service area this month. 
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"Property sales have kicked upward over the last month in the Byron Shire as intrastate and interstate travel brought non-local buyers back into the fold. But in the blink of an eye, we are faced with border closures on the Murray River and hot spots in Sydney restraining the market once more," the valuation firm said. 
It is truly a fluid situation and one that will develop further as rates of Covid-19 infections wax and wane, the report noted. 
The COVID-19 issue is of particular relevance to the Byron Shire market as many of the transactions that occur are for investment purposes with many of those investors originating from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with a smattering of buyers from overseas. 
The absence of these buyers from the market because of coronavirus has caused much angst to sellers. 
"In turn, some absentee investors have resorted to purchasing properties sight unseen in what must be an indication of their strong desire to invest in the Byron Bay area. Maybe it’s a bit of FOMO?" the valuation firm said. 
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There are some locally-based investors active in the area as well. 
There is very little new land being released in the Byron Shire but with a growing population there’s increasing pressure on housing affordability, particularly for first home buyers, and with a large portion of the population unable to afford a unit or house (see last month’s topic “lazy $700,000”) and a steady turnover of short- to-medium stay holiday makers utilising AirBnb style properties, there is consistent, if not strong, demand for rental accommodation.
Because of the high buy-in prices of property in the area, investors are looking to maximise returns by utilising the holiday market or by purchasing properties with multiple letting opportunities such as dual occupancy properties, the report noted. 
A three bedroom house in Mullumbimby with possibility for dual occupancy development has been sold for $857,000.
Set on a 854sqm block, the home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-mullumbimby-133587634" target="_blank">8 Myokum Street</a> (pictured below) is only two blocks from Mullumbimby town centre. 
It comprises three bedrooms, open plan lounge and dining, and huge backyard. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/9/14/mullumbimby.jpg" alt="">
Yields for investors in the area can appear to be relatively modest. For example, a one-bedroom unit in a new development on the northwest fringe of Byron Bay recently sold for $610,000 and was leased for 12 months at $550 per week, or $28,600 per annum, gross income.
That reflects a gross yield of 4.68 per cent. Costs such as rates, body corporate fees, management fees and incidentals will eat away at that before the buyer has to meet their mortgage payments.
A one bedroom loft apartment in Byron Bay has been listed for rent with a price guide of $570 per week.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-byron+bay-430095174" target="_blank">39 Easy Street</a> top floor home (pictured below) comes with one bedroom with built-in, mordent bathroom, kitchen and private balcony. 
It is situated within close proximity to cafes, restaurants and the beach. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/9/14/byron%20bay.jpg" alt="">
The relatively modest return is a reflection of the popularity of the area, the report noted. 
"In the more central and beachside locations of Byron Bay, yields are firmer still. It’s a good thing we still have negative gearing, right?
"Many of those absentee buyers are not, however, investing for the rental returns alone. The properties they buy are seen by many investors as a future retirement destination or as a holiday home, so rental return is but one facet of some investor’s decision process," the valuation firm said. 
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