Melbourne developer Spacious Group has completed Voyage Altona, one of the closest new apartment developments to Altona Beach.

Off the plan purchasers have started moving into the 49-apartment project on Pier Street, with the remaining move-in-ready one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $500,000.

Display apartments have now been fitted out, allowing prospective buyers to inspect the completed residences by appointment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=372638]

The completed apartments feature open-plan living and dining areas which extend onto private balconies and terraces, while full-height glazing maximises natural light throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Hybrid timber-look flooring, stone benchtops, Miele appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms and generous storage feature throughout the building which also features landscaped communal areas, expansive shared terraces, lift access and secure on-grade parking.

Drawing inspiration from its bayside setting, Voyage adopts a restrained palette of warm neutral tones and textured finishes. Many of the apartments take advantage of views across Port Phillip Bay, while the indoor-outdoor living spaces have been designed to make the most of the coastal outlook.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=3286]

Voyage was developed to address what Spacious Group identified as an undersupply of higher-quality apartment product in Altona, with a focus on owner-occupiers looking to remain within the bayside community.

"Voyage responds to very strong local buyer demand for quality, owner-occupier-focused product," says Barry Plant Projects Director Jarrod Farey, who has handled sales since the project's launch.

"The project delivers an elevated lifestyle proposition, with its design and quality of finish far exceeding anything previously produced in the area, as well as its proximity to Pier Street Village and the beach."

The majority of purchasers have been local downsizers and owner-occupiers looking to stay within the Altona community but who previously had limited opportunities to buy a brand-new apartment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112195]

Joel Robinson

Spacious Group completes Voyage Altona in Altona's beachside precinct

Homecorp has secured approval for a $360 million apartment development at Budds Beach, paving the way for one of the Gold Coast's most amenity-rich residential projects to launch later this year.

Gold Coast City Council has approved Lýon Residences, a 32-level tower that will deliver 178 two and three-bedroom apartments across a prominent corner site at 8-10 Acacia Avenue and 25-27 Oak Avenue.

The approval comes as developers continue to invest in premium lifestyle-driven apartment projects on the Gold Coast, where owner occupiers are increasingly prioritising amenity as much as apartment size and location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/l-on-residences-25-27-oak-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Lýon Residences</a> has been designed around a resort-style wellness offering, headlined by a Moroccan-inspired spa precinct featuring treatment rooms, a Nordic sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a soaking pool and a residents-only juice bar.

The rooftop will include a heated infinity pool and spa, residents' lounge with private kitchen and bar, gymnasium, yoga and Pilates studio, outdoor entertaining areas and barbecue facilities overlooking the Surfers Paradise skyline.

<img alt="Lyon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d3e29af-8793-486e-a684-52cef862241f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-15%20at%204.32.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ayG2zpLf3SS6Zy8XmKDcQods4kVWb0gm" />

Homecorp Founder and CEO Ron Bakir said Budds Beach provided the ideal location for the company's latest luxury apartment project.

"Budds Beach represents one of the most unique and sought-after pockets of the Gold Coast, and Lýon Residences has been designed to reflect that sense of rarity and refinement," Bakir said.

The project arrives as wellness continues to become a defining feature of new residential developments both in Australia and internationally.

The latest Global Wellness Institute figures show wellness real estate remains the fastest-growing segment of the global wellness economy and is forecast to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030. Australia continues to rank among the world's 15 largest wellness real estate markets, with developers increasingly integrating health, recreation and community facilities into apartment projects.

Queensland is also experiencing strong population growth, with the Gold Coast continuing to outperform many other Australian cities as demand for new housing remains elevated ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bakir said the project had been designed to respond to that shift in buyer expectations.

"Strong population growth and sustained demand across the Gold Coast continue to highlight the need for well-designed new housing supply. Lýon Residences responds directly to this demand while setting a new benchmark for residential living," he said.

Each apartment has been designed to maximise views across the coastline, the Nerang River and the Gold Coast hinterland.

Located just minutes from Surfers Paradise beach and the Broadwater, the development also offers easy access to the light rail network, Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads.

Early site works are underway, with construction expected to commence later this year.

Homecorp approved for Budds Beach apartment tower, Lýon Residences

New apartment developments with uninterrupted, north-facing views over Perth's Swan River are exceptionally rare.

Recognising just how limited those opportunities are, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a>, one of Perth's most respected builder-developers, targeted <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/applecross-wa-6153">Applecross</a>, assembling an unrepeatable 6,342 sqm riverfront site on the corner of Moreau Mews and Canning Beach Road to create one of Perth's only new north-facing apartment developments directly overlooking the Swan River.

Today, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/riviere-residences-applecross-59-canning-beach-road-applecross-wa-6153">Rivière Residences</a> offers buyers a unique opportunity to choose between completed residences ready to move into now and off-the-plan homes in the final stage, Rivière West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3823]

Across the completed East and Central buildings, residents are already enjoying the development's luxury amenity, while two of the precinct's hospitality venues are now open.

The completed component of the development gives buyers the advantage of experiencing the finished product firsthand, including its uninterrupted river views, while still having the opportunity to secure a residence in the final stage.

"People are wowed by the view and the quality of the apartments,"&nbsp;Edge Visionary Living Sales Executive, Holly McSweeney, says.

"They're looking for the convenience of lock-and-leave living, but they're not looking to downsize on quality."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=3826]

The rarity of the development hasn't been lost on prospective buyers, McSweeney says.

For McSweeney, it all comes back to a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate.

"Location, location, location," she says. "We are nestled right on the front of the Swan River. You can never get built out, so wherever you are in Rivière Residences, you've got views of the river forever."

The unique waterfront position has resonated particularly strongly with local downsizers. McSweeney says many buyers are long-time Applecross residents looking to transition from large family homes into a luxury apartment without sacrificing space, quality or the lifestyle they've enjoyed for decades.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_FowNW0wu8?si=vb25XFq1wZ-iufAW" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

A major focus for Edge in recent years has been resident amenity. Across its apartment portfolio, from beachfront developments in Scarborough to luxury towers in South Perth, the developer has increasingly invested in the spaces beyond the apartment itself.

The strategy has largely been shaped by downsizer demand. Many buyers are moving from large family homes with swimming pools and established gardens. While they're looking to leave the maintenance behind, they don't want to compromise on lifestyle.

At Rivière, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hillam-architects">Hillam Architects</a> designed the resident facilities as an extension of each apartment. A 25-metre heated swimming pool takes advantage of the north-facing river outlook, complemented by a large gym, sauna and steam rooms, private dining spaces, residents' lounges, a cinema, games room, and dedicated wine and whisky rooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=28384 project_image_fid=372542]

The waterfront location has also proved to be a major drawcard. Residents are within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel, South of Perth Yacht Club, the Heathcote Cultural Precinct and the cafés, restaurants and boutiques along Ardross Street.

Beyond the location and amenity, McSweeney says many buyers take confidence from Edge's fully integrated development model.

Having delivered apartments across Perth for decades, Edge now designs, develops and constructs its projects in-house, giving the company greater control over quality, delivery and the finished product.

"What I love is when people walk through their apartment for the first time and say, 'This is better than what we imagined,'" McSweeney says. "We hear that all the time."

Completed apartments in the East and Central buildings are now available to inspect by appointment, while Rivière West, the final stage of the precinct, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=28384]

North-facing Swan River views drive demand at Rivière Residences in Applecross

Nearly 60 per cent of apartments at McNab Group's $220 million The Tannery development in Brisbane's West End have sold ahead of the project's public launch, including a suburb-record $2.57 million sale for a two-bedroom apartment.

The early sales campaign has secured buyers for 50 of the project's 87 apartments, highlighting continued demand for larger owner-occupier apartments that combine generous floorplans with premium lifestyle amenities in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

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McNab Group Executive Chairman Michael McNab said selling more than half the project before launch reflected changing buyer expectations.

"Selling more than half the project before public sales open tells us buyers are actively seeking apartments that offer something genuinely different," McNab said.

"Today's buyers are looking beyond four walls. They want homes that genuinely enhance the way they live, with spaces that support health, connection and everyday wellbeing."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374767]

A key point of difference for the project is the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed Dixon's Tannery building, which will become The Retreat, a residents-only wellness precinct rather than being redeveloped into additional apartments.

The Retreat will feature a sauna and steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a commercial-grade gym, Pilates studio, cinema, library, co-working spaces and private dining room. Rooftop amenities will include a swimming pool, landscaped gardens, outdoor entertaining areas and dog-friendly spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374760]

Designed by Cottee Parker Architects with interiors by Tom Mark Henry and landscape architecture by Aspect Studios, The Tannery comprises 87 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 11 levels overlooking the Brisbane River.

Cottee Parker principal Dee Passenger said preserving the original tannery building had been central to the project's design.

"The easy option would have been to maximise the site's development potential with additional apartments. Instead, McNab has chosen to preserve the original tannery as a shared wellness retreat, ensuring this important piece of Brisbane's history remains at the heart of the community."

Passenger said sustainability also played a key role in the design, with materials from the original industrial site salvaged and repurposed throughout the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143337 project_image_fid=374761]

Motiv CEO Carly Cottam said buyers had responded strongly to the combination of larger apartments, wellness facilities and the West End lifestyle.

"We are seeing more buyers looking for homes in the sky that provide the space and functionality of a traditional home, while benefiting from the convenience and lifestyle that apartment living brings," Cottam said.

She said purchasers included both owner occupiers and investors, with demand coming from local buyers as well as interstate purchasers.

Coinciding with the public launch, McNab also announced a partnership with Queensland Ballet, whose neighbouring Thomas Dixon Centre shares historical ties with the original Dixon family.

Located on a 4,465 sqm site at 439 Montague Road, The Tannery overlooks the Brisbane River and is around 10 minutes from the CBD.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in the second half of 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143337]

More than half of residences sold before public sales as McNab announces significant partnership with Queensland Ballet

McNab's The Tannery nears 60 per cent sold before public release, sets two-bedroom West End record

Iwan Sunito's vision for a landmark mixed-use precinct in Sydney's Inner West has taken a major step forward, with approval granted for the $1.9 billion Five Dock development first unveiled earlier this year.

The approved scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/one-global-capital">One Global Capital</a> will deliver an 80,500 sqm mixed-use precinct comprising 840 apartments, integrated hotel accommodation, commercial and retail space, alongside publicly accessible open space designed to create a new destination for the growing suburb.

"This is a significant milestone for One Global Capital and for the future of housing delivery in Sydney," Sunito said.

"The Housing Delivery Authority was established to identify major housing projects capable of delivering meaningful supply more efficiently, and we are delighted that Spencer Street has been recognised as one of those projects.”

He said the declaration reflected the rapid progress achieved since acquiring control of the site.

"In less than seven months we have progressed from taking control of the site to securing entry into one of the NSW Government's most important planning pathways. It reflects the experience of our team, the strength of our consultant group led by Urbis, and our long-term commitment to delivering transformational projects that contribute to Sydney's future."

When the project was revealed earlier this year, Sunito described the opportunity as one of the strongest development sites he had worked on.

"I probably hadn't appreciated the uniqueness of the site until more recently when putting together the concept plans," Sunito said.

"The proximity to the water, and the golf course opposite, is unlike any other part of Parramatta Road. We have a unique position and view corridors over the water that makes this one of the best sites I've worked on."

The development has evolved since its initial announcement, with the approved plans increasing the residential component from the originally proposed 750 apartments to 840 homes while retaining the project's focus on creating an integrated neighbourhood rather than a standalone residential development.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/a-city-within-a-city-iwan-sunito-flags-1-5-billion-mixed-use-precinct-in-five-dock">"A city within a city": Iwan Sunito flags $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct in Five Dock</a>

The precinct will combine apartments with hotel accommodation, commercial workplaces, retail offerings and public spaces, creating a mixed-use environment intended to serve both residents and the broader Five Dock community. The proposal also continues the collaboration between One Global Capital and internationally recognised architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>, whose previous work with Sunito includes Infinity, Arc and Skye North Sydney.

Takada previously said the design was driven by a philosophy of integrating nature into the built environment.

"The concept for this development is born from our design approach to naturalising architecture," Takada said.

"The public realm benefits from biophilic design that integrates generous landscaping, and the development is optimised for natural daylight, airflow and water views to foster wellbeing, sustainability and spaces that foster community interaction."

Sunito has consistently described the project as a "city within a city", with a strong emphasis on creating a destination that extends beyond housing.

"We want to create a development that's not only to be seen, but to be experienced by the whole local community," he said.

The approval comes as Five Dock continues its transformation ahead of the opening of the Sydney Metro West line, with the new Five Dock station set to significantly improve connections between the Inner West, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD.&nbsp;

The precinct will also benefit from its proximity to the Parramatta Road corridor, nearby waterfront parklands and established retail and dining offerings that have made Five Dock one of Sydney's most tightly held Inner West suburbs.

Iwan Sunito secures approval for $1.9 billion Five Dock mixed-use precinct

Developer Finance

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The Federal Court has frozen the assets belonging to Chinese businesswoman Min Wang, whose company is redeveloping the Swanston Central precinct in Melbourne. 
The assets frozen by the Federal Court judgment include a Normanby Street, Brighton home, an 2014 Aston Martin, a 2016 Rolls Royce, and a $106 million loan from a family trust.<source media="(min-width: 1180px)" data-pb-im-config='{"aspectRatio":0.666667,"type":"portrait2x3","width":220,"urls":["https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_1.488%2C$multiply_0.582%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_98%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/e_sharpen:25%2Cq_85%2Cf_auto/4b01223f785235ea084276adf0131248d78379c4"," https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_1.488%2C$multiply_1.164%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_98%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/e_sharpen:25%2Cq_42%2Cf_auto/4b01223f785235ea084276adf0131248d78379c4 2x"]}' srcset="https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_1.488%2C$multiply_0.582%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_98%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/e_sharpen:25%2Cq_85%2Cf_auto/4b01223f785235ea084276adf0131248d78379c4, https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_1.488%2C$multiply_1.164%2C$ratio_0.666667%2C$width_378%2C$x_98%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/e_sharpen:25%2Cq_42%2Cf_auto/4b01223f785235ea084276adf0131248d78379c4 2x"></source>
The Australian Taxation Office issued an assessment to Ms Wang totalling $103 million for the 2015 and 2016 years.
It is the second major tax dispute involving a Chinese property developer after billionaire Huang Xiangmo had his assets frozen over a $141 million tax debt.
Ms Wang and her husband, Liang Chen operate the Shandong Hengyi Group.
<div id="endOfArticle" class="_3PsH9">
The Melbourne-based Hengyi is developing 1000 apartments in the 72-storey tower in Swanston Street.
Ms Wang started in property development in Australia in 2010.
In 2014, she, Mr Chen and their children were granted permanent visas under Australia's business talent scheme.
The October 28 freezing order has been extended on until November 25.
The judgment by Justice Davies says there was "sufficient basis on which to be satisfied that there is a danger that assets may be dissipated in order to frustrate recovery."
"The amount of tax liability is very significant in circumstances where she has both the means and the motive to remove assets because of her control of each of the corporate entities and of the trusts of which those corporate entities are trustees," it says.
There was allegations that Ms Wang made false statements in her income tax returns for the 2014 and 2015 income years about her interests in China by saying she did not have assets outside Australia valued at $50,000 or more or an interest in any foreign controlled company, the judgment says.
"There is also evidence that Ms Wang gave misleading information to the Australian Taxation Office concerning the funding of the purchase and development of the property at 199 William Street, Melbourne by Hengyi Australia, a company of which Ms Wang is a sole director and shareholder," the judgment says.
"The evidence discloses that Ms Wang has experience in international financial dealings and a history of transferring assets and liabilities between related parties.
"She also has a history of not putting commercial agreements between related parties into writing."
The order does not prohibit Wang paying herself up to $1,000 a week in ordinary living expenses and paying reasonable legal expenses.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Swanston Central Chinese developer's assets frozen by ATO over $103m tax bill

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Guest Observer
Dwelling approvals were a touch firmer than expected in March, rising 2.6% in the month vs consensus forecast of a 1% gain. Approvals are up 14.5%yr although the gain is exaggerated by monthly volatility affecting the base period. For Q1 as a whole, approvals are up 2.1%qtr and 8.5%yr.
Volatility more generally remains a significant issue, making it difficult to get a precise fix on momentum. Our preferred approach is to focus on 3mth averages as shown in the table right and as solid lines in most of the accompanying charts. However even this has shown significant volatility since late last year especially in the lumpy 'high rise' segment that has dominated the current cycle (monthly moves in this segment have averaged ±40% since Nov).
For the March month, the headline gain was led by a strong rebound in +6.1%mth and a reasonably solid 1.1%mth gain for private detached houses. For Q1 as a whole, units were up 1.8%qtr and houses up 2.4%qtr. Within the 'units' segment 'high rise' rebounded over 20% in the March month but were still down 6.9%qtr. 'Low rise' approvals rose 4.9%qtr.
On a combined basis, 'non-high rise' approvals were down 0.9%mth but up 3%qtr. This is a little firmer than expected with construction-related finance approvals pointing to more of a softening. For Q1 as a whole, Non high rise approvals are up 4.8%yr.
The state detail shows strength is heavily concentrated in Vic with total approvals in the state up +7.3% in the March month. Although a sharp high rise spike in Nov means Vic approvals are down 6.7% for Q1 as a whole they are up an impressive 20% on Q1 last year.
NSW recorded a sharp pull-back in the month (–12%). Qld approvals dipped 0.8% although within this a sharp pull back in units was offset by a strong rise in houses (+6.5%mth). On a quarterly basis, NSW is showing a clear trend decline with total approvals down 2.7%yr whereas Qld approvals are up solidly by 15.2%yr.
Overall, the state detail looks to be broadly consistent with an expected pull-back in high rise approvals concentrated in NSW and Qld with Vic expected to hold up better. The value of renovation approvals fell 6.3% in the month, down 4.5%qtr for Q1 as a whole with a slight downtrend now in place.
The value of non-res building approvals declined 4.6%mth but followed a 22% rebound in Feb from a similar sized declined in Jan. The dominant driver continues to be a sharp fall back in the previously very strong office segment.
Overall, despite the stronger than expected read on dwelling approvals this month the state mix on high rise activity remains consistent with lead indicators pointing to another leg lower led by NSW and Qld. Meanwhile construction-related finance approvals continue to point to a further softening to come for non-high rise segments.
<h2 class="Textspacebefore">Matthew Hassan is senior economist with <a href="https://www.westpac.com.au/" target="_blank">Westpac</a>.</h2>
 
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Volatility in high-rise dwelling approvals continues: Westpac's Matthew Hassan

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The South China Morning Post has reported the Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group, once a serial acquirer of overseas assets, has offered all five of its large-scale projects in Britain, the US and Australia to a single buyer for an estimated $6.6 billion (US$5 billion), as Beijing tightens control over companies’ offshore investments.
It reported potential investors have been approached by representatives of Wanda looking to sell all five projects in one go, according to two people familiar with the matter, who did not wish to be identified.
“They are looking for one buyer who can snap up five development projects in five cities,” one of the sources told the newspaper.
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<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272">“That will be a big investment. But basically they intend not to sell the assets at below cost, which is about US$5 billion.”</div>
<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272"> </div>
<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272">Both Wanda’s Australian assets – the US$1 billion Circular Quay apartment and hotel tower and the US$900 million Jewel project on the Gold Coast - appear on the reputed sell-off list.</div>
<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272"> </div>
<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272">The UK project up for grabs is One Nine Elms, a two-tower residential and hotel development currently under construction in London. The US$1 billion development was acquired by Wanda from UK-based Green Property in 2013.</div>
<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272"> </div>
<div class="sentifi-widget" data-wid="272">In the US, Wanda plans to sell its Vista Tower, which will be Chicago’s third-tallest building when it is completed in 2020, and a US$1.2 billion luxury condominium and hotel complex near the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards in Beverly Hills, California.</div>
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Sydney CBRE's chairman of residential marketing Justin Brown indicated no knowledge saying Wanda's Circular Quay project was progressing through a "strong" expression of interest campaign with apartment buyers.
Launched last month, no big sales have yet been announced by CBRE. And nothing forthcoming from BlackDiamondz which this month claimed, without specification, in an AFR piece to have been assisting Wanda through BlackDiamondz's new publicity and marketing division.
"We haven't been advised that the project won't progress to a launch," Brown told Fairfax Media.
The Australian report that the two Australian assets had also been offered around as a pair, but without success as interest was only in the Sydney project.
The sales at the Gold Coast project had been "sluggish," The Australian reported.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

CBRE chairman shrugs off speculation of Wanda's mooted exit from Australia

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Investment bank Goldman Sachs wants to fill the gap in commercial lending created by a tightening by major banks, and will finance $1 billion in loans to residential developers.
The loans could range across a mix of residential and commercial lending and will centre around construction and development loans, but not mortgages.
Ever since local banks tightened their lending for development and construction loans about 18 months ago to cut down their exposure to the housing boom, many developers were left stranded without funds for their planned apartment projects.
Goldman Sachs wants to use this opportunity for lending, but would charge a higher interest rate, according to The Australian Financial Review’s Street Talk column.
Goldman plans to operate at the same level as banks, exercising the same credit review and due diligence as major lenders.
Street Talk cited sources close to Goldman Sachs saying all prospective deals would be carefully examined, and only high-quality projects and experienced developers will be considered. The global investment bank is eyeing deals above $100 million.
The bank will also consider non-real estate commercial loans.
Sources said millions of dollars have already been committed towards senior, stretched senior loans and first mortgages over projects. Mezzanine funding is also being considered.
Many groups such as Balmain, the largest commercial lender outside the major Australian banks, Wingate, Chifley Securities, Alceon and Qualitas have been active in this space.
Also in the game are more "shadowy" lenders such as high net worth clubs, with funds obtained from local and foreign sources as well as various foreign banks. 
The surge in this sector, though still small at 6 per cent of the entire financial market, had prompted the Reserve Bank to say in its last financial stability review that increased non-bank securitisation especially in mortgage related products warranted "ongoing attention".
 
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Goldman Sachs starts commercial lending to developers

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Creditors of Brisbane developer CMF Projects, which went into administration last month, have concerns about recovering money owed to them.
Some 225 creditors were noted to be owed more than $12 million by the builder, the Australian Financial Review reported. 
Well-known local developer ARIA Property Group is owed $3.4 million and Norfolk Estates owed $3.37 million.
CMF’s collapse is the first major builder’s collapse in Brisbane during the current cycle.
CMF Projects owes money to well-known brands and companies, including Winnings Appliances, Kone Elevators, Origin Energy, Telstra, Officeworks, Bunnings, architects Rothelowman and the Brisbane City Council, the AFR reported.
At the creditors meeting, CMF directors Greg Campbell and Cameron Fidler said it had "suffered historical losses leading to the appointment [of liquidators]".
When creditors asked why the company continued trading until immediately before to the liquidator's appointment, the directors said CMF had made "failed attempts to secure further funding".
Administrator and chairman of the meeting David Clout said the builder had "underquoted" on projects and had sustained "continued losses historically".
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Creditors seeks repayment from failed Brisbane builder CMF Projects

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Unlisted property fund manager Quintessential Equity will receive financing of $68 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) for its new $120 million green office tower in Victoria’s Geelong. 
The 1 Malop Street development is the largest commercial office project to receive finance by the CEFC, which invests in renewable energy, energy efficiency and low emissions technologies, said a media release.
The financing will help Quintessential Equity in its efforts to get the tower a 5.5 star National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) base building energy rating, a first for a Victorian multi-storey commercial office building outside of the Melbourne CBD. 
1 Malop Street will be home to WorkSafe Victoria’s headquarters from mid-2018. The 14-level building will merge the heritage Dalgety &amp; Co building into a property consisting of nearly 15,500 square metres of CBD PCA A-Grade office accommodation. 
Quintessential Equity head of development Guy French-Wright said there was a growing demand for affordable high-quality green office space in Geelong. 
“Our 1 Malop Street development will set a new gold standard for near city office accommodation, designed around the ethos of Live, Work, Play,” French-Wright said. 
“Through the support of CEFC we are in a position to improve the building’s energy efficiency from 5 star to a 5.5 star NABERS base building energy rating. This will provide an opportunity to achieve an additional 25 per cent reduction in the building’s energy consumption and provide additional cost savings for all tenants.” 
CEFC chief origination and transactions officer Paul McCartney said the financing commitment reflected the CEFC’s role in driving increased investment and innovation in building sustainability. 
The new building will offer 14 levels of office space and include a ground-floor café and rooftop exercise areas.
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Quintessential Equity gets $68 million from CEFC for green office tower in Geelong

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New laws announced by the NSW State Government will deter rogue developers from rescinding off-the-plan contracts for financial gain, and ultimately protect buyers and reputable industry operators.
It is critical for the future of the industry that the rogue operators be stamped out to maintain confidence and integrity in the field. 
We are pleased to see the Minister has been swift in his efforts to close this loophole as the behaviour of a few unethical developers needs to be stopped. 
He said with tighter definitions, the Government’s proposal will now not impact on development finance and the recognition of pre-sales as part of that finance. 
While we are broadly supportive of the initiative, the devil will be in the detail so we will be taking a close look at the legislation when it is available. 
639 submissions were received during the recent public consultation period, which represents only 2.3% of dwellings completed over the past year of available government data*. 
With only 639 complaints out of around 27,350 new houses that were developed over the past year, the issue is clearly occurring on the fringes of the industry. 
It is critical that business dealings within the industry continue to be conducted in good faith and with integrity.
*Figure from NSW Department of Planning Metropolitan Development Program. 
 
Stephen Albin is chief executive of UDIA NSW and can be contacted <a href="https://www.udia.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Sunset clause rules will stamp out dodgy operators: UDIA's Stephen Albin

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<img src="/images/2015/09/17/Holdencapital_banner.jpg" alt="" width="622" height="131">
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Following continuing pressure by APRA on the major banks to ensure that they comply with their obligations under the Basil III accord, the banks recently reacted by reducing their appetite for construction lending, dramatically reigning in their marketing to developers and in some instances actually reducing the level of staff in their relationship management teams. 
This conflict between their requirements to satisfy capital adequacy levels under the accord coupled with their need to improve their return on shareholding to remain competitive with their peers has created a significant problem for many of their developer clientele. 
To achieve their objectives, the banks have raised the bar for developers in terms of their condition precedent requirements, reduced gearing levels and increased their pricing on debt, effectively implementing a flight to quality and leaving many of the their traditional but more marginal clients in terms of credit strength, looking for alternative funding sources.
This has resulted in a significant shift in the construction lending landscape with some developers quickly adjusting to the need to re-focus their attention on where they source their debt and its not just the smaller more marginalised developers who are making changes.  
HoldenCAPITAL is currently settling an average of more than 1 transaction per week but recently there has been a noticeable change in the ratio between the traditional bank sourced debt and those alternative funding options now being opted for by developers who don’t want to miss a market opportunity just because their banks have their own problems. 
In FY15 we settled 64% of our deals with the major banks but this has quickly changed with 62% of the $300mil of project debt settling between now and Christmas likely to be set with alternative funding sources.
Through managing the tender process on behalf of its clients, HoldenCAPITAL has been at the forefront of both the bank and non-bank markets and can quickly identify where a client can secure the best outcome for their project needs.  He says that the majors are still a strong force in the sector but there are very real alternatives emerging as strong contenders for new projects. 
While there are additional costs associated with these alternative funding sources rising up to the meet the market demand, these alternatives do offer their own distinctly different benefits to developers who do not want to be restricted in their ability to meet identified market opportunities due to the constraints placed on their traditional bank which have no direct relevance to their market sector. 
By way of example, non-bank money can cost as low as 9-10% per annum, which, which when compared to the traditional bank cost (if it was available) on a medium sized projects of say 30 product, would add as little as ~$170,000 or 10% variance on normal finance costs to a project with a total cost of $6M. 
What this alternative product does offer the developer is the potential for significant savings in other areas such as the opportunity to commence the project without the need for pre-sales. It also allows the developer to lock in a construction price and minimise escalation risk as well as the benefit of selling product which has a more certain delivery date, rather than the more speculative "off the plan" route required to satisfy the banks pre-sale requirements. This in turn gives the developer the edge when selling any completed residual stock, which will be competing with stock still under construction by those competitors who chose the pre-sale option.
The changing landscape in the construction finance arena has also given rise to an increase in private investors looking to invest in development opportunities. With the uncertainties surrounding the investments in shares, reduced superfund returns and tightening investment yield in investment property, investment in well structured and risk mitigated developments was providing investors with a very attractive alternative. We currently manage over $70mil of private investor funds and the enquiry from new investors is getting more frequent. 
So what is the future for construction lending? There is no doubt that many of these changes have been seen before but the reality facing the banks is that many of the revisions driving how they participate in the construction market are permanent rather than the cyclical as in the past and as such, it would appear that the rise of the alternative lenders is more than a passing fad and could represent a real paradigm shift in this sector.
This article was written by Dan Holden of bespoke construction finance firm HoldenCAPITAL. To discuss your project finance requirement please call (07) 3171 4200 or <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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