Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Financial Results

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Rental platform Rent.com.au grew its annual revenue by 121 percent to $1.65 million over the previous financial year but made a net operating loss after tax of more than $8.5 million for the year ended June 30.
The group, which allows renters to make online rental applications, said its short-term goal was for the cashflow to break even. 
It also guided for positive revenue growth expected to be derived from renter products and third party arrangements.
It aims to achieve that by focussing on its Renter Resume online rental application system and cost cuts.
Renter Resume was launched in October 2016 and is a user-managed online profile that allows renters to automatically generate property enquiries and applications.
Agents and landlords can check the applicant’s rental history, ID verification and a tenancy database screening (via RENT’s RentCheck product).
Rent.com.au said its resume creation averaged a 500 resumes per day, totalling nearly 130,000 by June 30.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/24/RentEarnings.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/24/RentEarnings.png" alt="">
Net operating loss after tax was $8,513,631, down from $12,820,585 in the previous financial year. The loss included included a non-cash share based payments expense of $2.24 million associated with performance based convertible securities issued to advisors, shareholders and employees. 
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (and excluding non-cash share based payments) was a loss of $5.8 million, down from $7.2 million in the previous year.
Cash reserves decreased from $6,080,209 at 30 June 2016 to $3,254,380 at 30 June 2017.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Rent.com.au posts loss, but grows revenue on renter resumes

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Property fund manager Centuria Capital Group’s operating earnings per share dropped 31 percent to 10.3 cents per share while funds under management more than doubled to $4.2 billion for the full year ended June 30.
It said the results were in line with its guidance.
Centuria also announced distribution of 7.5 cents per share for the financial year and up 43% on FY16 results. 
Since financial year 16, Centuria has purchased 10 properties for $721 million across the listed and unlisted businesses, with $517 million acquired by unlisted funds.
Centuria said total shareholder returns were 24% and the group expects its operating EPS to grow nearly 5% during FY18.
Group CEO John McBain highlighted the acquisition of the $1.4 billion 360 Capital real estate platform.
“This acquisition was a very significant contribution to growth in funds under management and our consequent increase in scale and market presence. The result has been a step-change for Centuria Capital, bringing our business to scale and this activity should enable near-term ASX 300 inclusion.”
“In addition, the majority of 360 Capital’s funds were listed funds which were highly complementary to our platform which was previously skewed toward unlisted property funds,” McBain said.
He said the group’s unlisted business "had a bumper year", growing by 106% and has property assets under management worth $1.6 billion. It made the largest purchase in the group’s history – the Zenith office tower in Chatswood for $279 million in a joint venture with global investor BlackRock.
Last month, Centuria Property Funds said its listed office fund, Centuria Metropolitan REIT (ASX: CMA), has bought three commercial properties in Perth and Melbourne for a total of $150 million. 
In Perth, Centuria acquired two new commercial assets: <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-wa-perth-502267250" target="_blank">The Hatch Building</a> at 144 Sterling Street (above), and 42-46 Colin Street, for a total of $91.8 million. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/23/Centuria.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/23/Centuria.png" alt="">
During the year, Centuria merged its two office Real Estate Investment Trusts: Centuria Metropolitan REIT (CMA) and Centuria Urban REIT (CUA); and acquired the management of Centuria Industrial REIT (CIP).
As a result, CIP is now Australia’s largest pure rent-collecting REIT, with a market capitalisation of $563 million. 
Metropolitan office REIT CMA has a market capitalisation of $420 million.
Meanwhile, Centuria Property Funds has announced two leasing deals for its listed industrial trust, Centuria Industrial REIT.
“We are very pleased with the performance of both funds this year. The merger of CMA and CUA resulted in a larger and more efficient fund, which went on to acquire a further $150 million in assets since the merger,” said McBain.
The company will look to grow both funds with asset acquisitions, it said.
The Centuria Diversified Property Fund (CDPF) was also launched this year. It is an open-ended, unlisted diversified property fund which invests in office trusts.
McBain said the group would use its balance sheet strength to accelerate growth across its listed and unlisted property businesses.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Centuria boss says unlisted funds had bumper year

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Developer Sunland Group said its full-year revenue jumped 67 percent while profit rose 12 percent from the previous year to $35.3 million, helped by a rise in revenue from property sales.
The result was in line with the group’s outlook.
Sunland managing director, Sahba Abedian, said the improved earnings was due to its focus on the luxury multi-story sector.
“The strategic repositioning of the portfolio three years ago to return to the luxury multi-storey sector, and our expansion in to south-east Queensland residential markets, has delivered a strong financial performance for the year,” Abedian said. 
“This has been balanced by the continuance of our conservative capital management strategy and share buyback program, which has enhanced earnings per share and contributed to Net Tangible Asset per share growth consistently over the past eight years.”
The group announced a final dividend of 4 cents.
In addition, Sunland also announced a special dividend of 2 cents following the settlements at its luxury Abian residential tower (picture above) in the Brisbane CBD.
Sunland said it has a solid pipeline of 18 projects along Australia’s east coast, with 14 residential projects under construction in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
“Throughout the course of the 2018 financial year we intend to launch a further eight projects, pending planning approvals and market conditions,” Abedian said.
During the financial year ended June 30, Sunland said it had launched three residential projects — Marina Concourse and The Lakes Residences on the Gold Coast, and 18 Macpherson Street in Warriewood in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. 
Its $3.9 billion portfolio comprises 5,601 land, housing and multi-storey housing.
Sunland’s revenue from property sales jumped 67% to $394.3 million from $235.6 million in 2016, generated from 597 settlements (2016: 443 settlements). 
“A major contributor to revenue was the luxury Abian residential tower in the Brisbane CBD, which commenced settlements in June 2017 and has increased the average revenue per lot due to the higher average contract price,” Sunland said in a media release. 
Other contributors to revenue include Magnoli Residences, The Heights, and Ancora on the Gold Coast; Carré Residences and The Gardens in Victoria; and Dahlia Residences in New South Wales. The portfolio achieved an average return of 20%, in line with Sunland’s target development margin.
Sales volume increased 23% in FY17 with new project launches in Queensland and New South Wales, in addition to sales from the existing portfolio, with 524 sales completed to the value of $376.4 million (2016: 426 sales to the value $261.3 million). 
Contracted pre-sales for projects that have been released across the development portfolio total 641 as at 30 June 2017, with a combined value of $534.4 million.
Sunland’s multi-storey portfolio is primarily located in premium, high-growth locations across the Gold Coast.
Construction of the twin six-storey, mid-rise apartment buildings at Marina Concourse, located adjacent to the Royal Pines Marina, is scheduled for completion in mid-2018. 
Other multi-storey projects in the preliminary design and approval stages include 272 Hedges Avenue (high-rise), Greenmount Residences (medium-rise), One Marine Parade (high-rise), The Lakes (medium-rise), and Palm Beach (medium-rise). 
It has also acquired sites in Sydney (Mount Annan), Brisbane (Everton Hills), and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta and Mermaid Beach) totalling $65.5 million and added 579 allotments to the portfolio with an estimated end value of $689 million. 
The two site acquisitions on the Gold Coast, at Coolangatta and Mermaid Beach, are earmarked for luxury multi-storey residential developments which, pending planning approvals, will be launched in 2018.
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Sunland revenue jumps 67, boosted by Abian tower settlements

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Leading property group Mirvac said it achieved a record high lot settlements for the year ending June 30, while maintaining less than 2 per cent defaults. 
The developer’s 3,311 lot settlements was 17 per cent higher than last year. It secured $2.7 billion in residential pre-sales.
Sydney was the strongest market for apartments, with prices holding stable and also rising while the pace was the slowest in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Mirvac said its statutory profit after tax increased by 13 per cent to $1.16 billion from $1.03 billion, helped by a rise in property values in the investment portfolio and strong operational earnings. 
Mirvac said it expects strong residential profits despite a forecast slowdown in apartment pre-sales and a drop in foreign buyer numbers.
“Buying at the right time and in the right locations has ensured we have strong embedded margins across a number of our residential development projects, particularly those in Sydney and Melbourne,” said Mirvac CEO  Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/18/MirvacBuyerProfile.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/MirvacBuyerProfile.png" alt="">
“We also expect to benefit from the substantial investment in infrastructure the New South Wales and Victorian governments are making, with a number of our residential projects located near proposed major transport lines.”
Mirvac guided for an operating earnings per share of between 15.3 to 15.6 cpss for FY18, which represents an increase in earnings of between 6 to 8 per cent, and distribution guidance of 11.0 cpss, which represents DPS growth of 6 per cent. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/18/MirvacOperatingRes.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/MirvacOperatingRes.png" alt=""> 
Lloyd-Hurwitz concluded, “Our focused and disciplined urban strategy has consistently delivered stable earnings and distribution growth over the past few years, and we expect FY18 to be another successful year, driven by a secure yield from our high-quality, modern investment portfolio, embedded rental growth, and attractive returns from our high-quality development pipeline.
Shaw and Partners' analyst Peter Zuk was quoted by the Australian Financial Review as saying that Mirvac's growth outlook was "better than expected".
Zuk said strong settlement volumes eased fears on defaults while the group's Melbourne office pre-sales should generate strong profits. 
In June, Mirvac’s stock was downgraded to a "hold" by Deutsche Bank analysts, who say a likely slowdown in the apartment development market would hurt the company.
There could be a 20 per cent fall in new apartment project starts in the 2019 financial year.
Mirvac will make a full-year distribution of $386 million, representing a 10.4¢ stapled security, which is at the top end of guidance. 
 
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Mirvac reports record settlements, defaults below 2 percent

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Diversified developer Stockland expects deposit cancellation rates to stay below the long-term average and further improve in WA.
The developer’s forecast came at its earnings announcement for the year ended June 30.
Stockland made a higher higher-than-expected profit on the back of a record number of settlements for new residential lots and strong performance on the eastern seaboard.
Full-year revenue from ordinary activities was $2,744 million, up 17.9 percent. 
Net profit after tax attributable to security holders rose 34.4% to $1.2 billion.
Stockland said cancellation rates of deposits paid at the exchange of a conditional contracts were well below the long-term average of 13 per cent.
"The eastern seaboard at the moment is below 10 per cent and trending lower in Victoria, NSW and Queensland over the last 12 months," Stockland's head of residential Andrew Whitson was quoted as saying by the The Australian Financial Review.
He said deposit cancellations in WA had dropped to 20 per cent from 28 to 30 per cent a year back.
In Victoria, deposit cancellations stayed flat over the year at a "historically low" 5 per cent, Whitson said.
Analysts displayed cautious optimism.
"While consensus forecasts are likely to be revised higher the market may begin to question if this is as good as it gets given strong residential volumes, expanding margins and 3 per cent comparable retail funds from operations growth," Citi analyst David Lloyd wrote. "We believe this could be premature."
However, Whitson was upbeat, saying Stockland's expansion into the urban infill market extended its reach beyond the core house and land market.
"Traditionally, being a greenfield community developer, we've only touched about 15 per cent of the market," he said.
"But the other 85 per cent we're starting to talk to now. Our infill developments give us the opportunities to set the business up for further growth."
The developer recently confirmed its acquisition of a 3.3 hectare waterfront site at Hope Island for $13.5 million.
Stockland expects operating profit margin to pick up to 17 per cent before settling at a level above 15 per cent. 
Whitson said the outlook for cancellations was strong with further improvements in WA.
The WA improvement reflected a stabilisation of the housing market there and and a slight rise in sales is expected over the next 12 months, he said.
Some analysts were cautious, however.
"Stockland have a more favourable view on Perth than our expectations with prices to stay flat and volumes improve," UBS analyst Grant McCasker said.
"What we're seeing in WA is a better outlook for the WA economy in the next 12 months," he said.
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Stockland says deposit cancellations improve, expects WA to pick up 

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House and land developer Villa World said it had posted its fourth consecutive full-year profit growth.
It guided for a full-year profit after tax of $41.6 million for the 2017-18 financial year,  a growth of 10% over FY17 based on the assumptions that interest rates would stay low and first home buyer grants would remain in place.
Villa World said it made a statutory profit after tax of $37.8 million  for the financial year ended June 30, up 12 percent from the previous year.
Commenting on the results, CEO and managing director Craig Treasure said in an ASX announcement that Villa World’s strategy of maintaining a pipeline of projects, while also “diversifying both geographically and in our product mix within the residential house and land market”, had generated consistent cash flow for Villa World. 
The group said its impressive performance was because of its less exposure to investors, which brings in more volatility.
"We're isolated from a bank shutdown and we only have 20 per cent investors ... as far as international buyers go, there are very few," Treasure told The Australian Financial Review.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/VillaWorld.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/16/VillaWorld.png" alt="">
Villa World's steady sales, despite a low investor base, show there is a lot of demand left in the local owner-occupier market. 
The property group’s settlements of wholly owned lots rose to 1,116 from the previous year’s 1,073, though revenue from them was flat.
Queensland continued to be the biggest contributor to the group’s performance, making up 71% of sales, slightly down from FY16’s 74%. Victorian projects contributed 21% of sales while New South Wales made up the remaining 8%.
The company acquired 3,454 lots in the financial year in northern Brisbane, Logan, north-west and south-east Melbourne, which it said would provide product continuity for several years. 
The board has declared a fully franked dividend of 18.5¢ per share in 2017. 
Villa World acquires, develops and markets residential land and house and land estates across the east coast.
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Villa World profit up, expects solid 2018 on FHBs, low interest rates 

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Property group Dexus posted a modest 0.3 percent rise in net profit after tax for the financial year ended June 30, although the group expects strong performance in the office markets of Sydney and Melbourne.
The group said it had a positive outlook for the office markets in Sydney and Melbourne due to an increase in business confidence and full-time employment growth. Overall, Dexus is optimistic about the Australian economic outlook.
Dexus chief executive Darren Steinberg said the group takes a long term view and its strategy of office ownership and funds management had paid off.
“We have a positive outlook for FY18 with guidance for distribution per security growth of 4.0-4.5%,” he said.
Dexus said its distribution per security grew 4.5% during the year, while funds from operations rose 1.1% from the previous year to $617.7 million.
Net profit after tax was $1,264.2 million, up just 0.3% on FY16.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/DexusPortfolio.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/16/DexusPortfolio.png" alt="">
It raised $500 million via an institutional placement to partly fund the acquisition of MLC Centre, Sydney, 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont and 90 Mills Road, Braeside.
In the office space, work has begun on 100 Mount Street, North Sydney and 105 Phillip Street, Parramatta. 
It also completed 125,600 sqm of industrial development leasing.
Steinberg said Brisbane and Perth have turned the corner, but the recovery in Perth will take time and depend on the performance of the local economy. 
“We expect to see further support for real estate values into FY18 as a result of the strength of property fundamentals in Sydney and Melbourne combined with persistent investment demand from global and local players attracted to the stable returns from quality well leased properties.”
The group will continue to focus on Australia's major cities.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/DexusDrivers.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/16/DexusDrivers.png" alt="">
“Our market guidance for the 12 months ending 30 June 2018 is to deliver distribution per security growth of 4.0-4.5%,” said Steinberg. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/Dexus3.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/16/Dexus3.png" alt="">
Dexus manages an Australian property portfolio valued at $24.9 billion. The group owns or manages 21 Sydney CBD and CBD fringe assets valued at $8.7 billion.
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Dexus upbeat on office market growth in Sydney, Melbourne

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Developer Stockland said funds from operations for the financial year ended June 30 grew 8.5 percent to $802 million on the back of its residential projects though growth on the commercial side was moderate.
The residential business delivered an operating profit growth of 17.4 percent, while settling a record 6,604 lots in FY17.
It said more than 50 percent of net deposits were from first home buyers. 
The Victorian government recently approved Stockland’s plan to develop up to 5,000 new homes as part of its Mt. Atkinson project (above), 24 km from Melbourne’s CBD.
“Our Residential and Retirement Living businesses achieved record results, and Commercial Property delivered a good performance across the different asset classes, despite challenging conditions in the retail market,” said Stockland managing director and CEO Mark Steinert.
It also acquired 9,900 lots with the majority in Melbourne.
In the commercial property segment, Stockland said occupancy at its logistics and business parks increased to 99%. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/Stockland.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/16/Stockland.png" alt="">
“We continue to see growth in lifestyle and entertainment tenancies, particularly larger format operators such as JB Hi-Fi, Hoyts and Harris Scarfe, and we’ve recently confirmed that H&amp;M will open new stores at our Townsville and Rockhampton centres,” said CEO Commercial Property John Schroder.
The company expects positive economic conditions to continue, and interest rates to remain fairly stable. It will continue to focus on community projects and town centres. 
Stockland, which also owns and manages shopping centres, said its commercial property business should deliver moderate growth, with comparable FFO growth of 2-3 percent including comparable retail FFO growth of around 3%. 
“We will continue to invest, grow and remix our portfolio, increasing our focus on convenient and desirable town centres, with selected divestments funding much of this activity,” said Steinert. 
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Stockland posts profit, helped by residential projects, commercial muted

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Australiasia’s biggest property group, the Ray White Group, has recorded its biggest ever year with $44.7 billion in sales in 2016-17, up four per cent on the previous fiscal year.
The Ray White Group’s sales market share in Australia and New Zealand improved 0.15 per cent to 10.3 per cent in the year to June.
Ray White Group director Dan White said each of the 1000 businesses that make up the Ray White network were in markets experiencing different conditions.
“While we are happy about our record trading result, what was most pleasing was the overall improvement in profitability for the majority of our individual business owners,” Mr White said.
“Based on our 2016 financial year findings, our offices converted a 12 per cent increase in revenue to a 10 per cent increase in profit."
Ray White continues to list twice as many properties as the next biggest agency group and it remains the largest auction house in Australia and New Zealand with around 15 per cent of the market.
Ray White Group chairman Brian White said there had been much comment during the year regarding tight stock numbers but the Ray White network improved its market share.
“The performance of the property market in 2016-17 highlighted, once again, the critical role that property plays in the wealth of the Australasian community. Property is so important to the vibrancy of our communities,” Mr White said.
“One of the features of 2016-17 was the improved stability of many markets that had been so damaged in the post-mining boom, particularly in some parts of regional Australia.
“Obviously Sydney was a stand out market but the same can be said for Melbourne and Auckland.
“The Gold Coast is also pumping.
“There has been some exceptional growth in that market over the last year which may surprise some people.
“And our network in regional New South Wales has had a great year too.”
 
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The Ray White property powerhouse reports record $44.7bn year

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Developer Stockland said its residential business was on track to meet its full-year target of more than 6,000 settlements and would post operating profit margins of 15-16 percent following the announcement of its third-quarter update.
The developer maintained its FY17 outlook for growth in funds from operations (FFO) per security of 6 percent to 7 percent. 
Stockland managing director and CEO Mark Steinert said the company made good progress in its core businesses.
“Our residential business is benefiting from our well-located projects in high growth corridors, our more diverse and affordable product mix, strong market conditions on the East Coast, and the stabilisation of the Perth market,” he said. 
Stockland said 77 percent of its buyers were owner occupiers in the March quarter while 54 percent were first home buyers.
Its residential business achieved 1,891 net deposits in the quarter and 5,984 net deposits in the financial year to date, compared to a total of 4,844 net deposits up to the corresponding point in time last year. Its 
“We remain focused on providing affordable housing solutions for our customers,” Steinert said. “On average, prices for our house and land packages are more than 15% below the established house prices in the surrounding trade area. 
Stockland said it expected to achieve a FY17 Distribution Per Security (DPS) of 25.5 cents, based on the higher of Total Trust Income (TTI) or 75 – 85 percent of FFO, up 4.1 percent on FY16. 
“In our retirement living business, our resale values are benefitting from the quality of our villages and the strength of the broader residential market. We will continue to improve our long term returns by focusing on new development and the provision of additional services to our residents.” 
Stockland’s retirement living business had 244 net reservations in the quarter and was in line with internal forecasts, it said. 
It said retail had a relatively flat quarter, with our figures impacted by Easter and the Victorian and Queensland school holidays falling in April. 
“We encountered the same headwinds that are affecting the sector with some retail price deflation, above average retailer administrations and a weak start to the calendar year for discount department stores,” Steinert said.
“We’ve continued to invest in our portfolio and remix the centres to deliver good growth of 2.7 percent in specialty sales per square metre across our comparable shopping centre portfolio. Total comparable annual sales across all retail categories were relatively flat at -0.2 percent. We remain on track to achieve Retail FFO growth in line with our guidance of 3 – 4 percent for the full year, driven primarily by specialty stores. 
“We’ve also maintained our momentum in the development and leasing of our logistics and business parks, and our predominantly Sydney-based office portfolio performed strongly,” Steinert added. 
Stockland acquisitions and development update – 3Q17 (and post-date) 
-  Acquired 77 hectares in Craigieburn West to extend Highlands community
-  Acquired 11.5 hectare townhouse development site at Braybrook, 10 km west of Melbourne CBD
-  Commenced construction of Stamford Park townhouse and apartment development at Rowville, 26 km south east of the Melbourne CBD
-  Launched Edgebrook residential community at Clyde North, south east Melbourne
-  Completed Stage One of the $412 million redevelopment and expansion of Stockland Green Hills Shopping Centre
-  Completed and opened the $30 million Stockland Kensington Shopping Centre in Bundaberg
-  Achieved practical completion of Oakleigh Logistics Facility, Stage Two, Melbourne
-  Commenced construction of Warwick Farm Logistics Facility, Sydney
-  Completed and opened Stage Two of The Residences, Cardinal Freeman, comprising a new clubhouse and 40 apartments, with all but one apartment pre-reserved
Stockland recently listed a 22,800sqm retail development site in its residential community south of Brisbane, Pallara.
 
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