The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Helensvale

Soaring demand in all coastal Queensland markets is seeing developers fast-track their projects in an attempt to meet the continued demand from inter and outer state buyers.

The latest project to be fast tracked is in the $650 million townhouse development Serenity 4212, one of the largest waterfront projects currently underway on the Gold Coast.

The joint Helensvale venture between Keylin and Kinstone Group, adjacent to Hope Island,&nbsp;will see the third stage&nbsp;of Serenity Reserve brought forward after the sell outs of stage one and two, Serenity Waters and Serenity Green.

Serenity Reserve will comprise 83 townhomes each with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Designed by architectural firm DBI in conjunction with Modulus Architecture, prices for the townhomes&nbsp;will start from $548,000.

Serenity Reserve residences will sit next to&nbsp;a dedicated natural reserve community park, part of 27 hectares being gifted by Keylin to the city council.

<a href="/buildings/serenity-green-8-ben-dalley-drive-helensvale-road"><img alt="" height="720" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/serenity_reserve_1.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

The wider Serenity 4212 development&nbsp;is being created&nbsp;around Lake Serenity along the shores of Saltwater Creek.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The latest release is aimed at buyers looking to capitalise on existing government grants, including the state government first-home owner&rsquo;s grant,&rdquo; said Keylin&nbsp;director Louis Cheung.

<a href="/buildings/serenity-green-8-ben-dalley-drive-helensvale-road"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/serenity_3.jpg" width="1600" /></a>

&ldquo;Most of our buyers have been owner-occupiers, with many of them locals who are looking for the lifestyle and convenience of one of the best waterfront precincts on the Gold Coast.&rdquo;

Keylin fielded more than 3400 inquiries for the Serenity Waters release alone.

Developments are being fast-tracked all across the Gold Coast with developers inundated with enquiries.

Miles Residences, the luxury redevelopment of the Kirra Beach Hotel by KTQ Group, has been <a href="/news/qld/miles-residences-at-kirra-beach-now-80-sold-as-fast-tracked-construction-begins">fast-tracked after selling over 80 per cent of its stock</a>.

Ditto Cabana at Palm Beach, which saw&nbsp;23 of its 34 apartments <a href="/news/qld/which-gold-coast-apartment-developments-are-being-fast-tracked-due-to-strong-sales">sell within two weeks of its launch</a>.

&nbsp;

Serenity Reserve residences will sit next to a dedicated natural reserve community park, part of 27 hectares being gifted by Keylin to the city council.

Keylin and Kinstone fast-track Gold Coast townhouse project Serenity 4212

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A collection of 54 terrace homes, dubbed the Dawn Edition, have hit the market.

The $30 million development, a collaboration between Villawood Properties and Azure Development, is part of the wider $500 million community The Surrounds.

The three and four bedroom terraces will each have two bathrooms, two car spaces and their own private courtyards.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93418]

The terraces start from $499,900. There are four floorplans on offer, ranging in size from 171 to 301 sqm.

Residents of the gated community will have access to 23 hectares of open spaces and parks designed for outdoor play, sports, and time with the family.

<img alt="" height="1001" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_dawn_edition_helensvale_3.jpg" width="1200">

The terraces are located right near the $4 million leisure centre which has a heated lap pool, a fully equipped gym, private multi-purpose room, change facilities and a cafe.

Azure Development director Trent Keirnan said they have designed each terrace to be built for life, from their minimalistic exteriors to stylish entryways and spacious interiors.

Villawood Properties state development manager Michael Williams said the convenient location, appealing designs and affordable pricing of the terrace homes would appeal to a range of buyers looking to get their foot on the Gold Coast property ladder.

“Every one of these homes has been designed from the ground up with the modern buyer in mind,” Mr Williams said.

“They are high-quality and low maintenance, which makes them ideal for a range of buyers including busy families, young couples and retirees.

“The terraces further compliment the unique offering we have here at The Surrounds and are an ideal solution for buyers either looking to upsize from an apartment or downsize from a big home.”

The project is located within five minutes’ walk to the Westfield Helensvale and Helensvale Train Station with easy access to the Northern Gold Coast beaches via the pacific Motorway.
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The three and four bedroom terraces will each have two bathrooms, two car spaces and their own private courtyards.


Dawn Edition terraces launched as part of Helensvale's $500 million The Surrounds community

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A house in Queensland's Helensvale is set for auction with the proceeds going towards the Mater Little Miracles charity.
Damien Cooley's Gavel has the responsibility of auctioning off the home on Sunday September 8 at the live, no-reserve auction.
LJ Hooker Helensvale Pacific Pines agents Brad Clarke and Siarne Loeve are managing the auction campaign for The House for Life at 19 Laurel Drive.
"With 51sqm of living, it's one of the largest homes built in The Surrounds community at Helensvale," said Mr Clarke.
He said more than 300 people have come through the home during the auction campaign.
This House for Life marks the 8th year that Plantation Homes has built and auctioned a home with proceeds going to Mater Little Miracles, supporting seriously ill and premature babies at Mater. It’s the inaugural year that the house has been built on land donated by Villawood Properties.
Amanda Reilly, Plantation Homes Marketing Manager said, everything in the house, from the rugs and cushions to the bed linen, will be handed over to the new home owners.
 
CoreLogic data showed Helensvale was the second-most popular suburb across the Gold Coast in the last 12 months. 
House for Life is an initiative of Plantation Homes, Villawood Properties and Mater Foundation. All proceeds raised from the auction will go toward Mater Little Miracles. Visit www.plantationhomes.com.au and www.villawoodproperties.com.au
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House for Life in Helensvale set for charity auction

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A four bedroom home located in Queensland's gated estate Oyster Cove, has sold.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-helensvale-128642598" target="_blank">35 Prosperity Drive, Helensvale</a> the four bedroom three bathroom home sold for $1.2 million.
Set on a 1086 sqm block the one story house features 29 metres of waterfront access and its own pontoon.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/29/Helens%202.JPG" alt="">
The property also holds a fully tiled heated pool.
The home last sold in 2012 for $950,000 which was a reduction on its sale price in 2006 of $1.1 million
The median sale price for a home in the suburb of <a href="/developments/helensvale-qld-4212">Helensvale</a> is $606,000 according to CoreLogic.
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Four bedroom Helensvale home sold by mortgagees

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Villawood Properties has begun work on the $500 million Helensvale community The Surrounds, the site of the former gold Coast Country Club, with contractors breaking ground on a 60ha section called the Southern Precinct.
The Southern Precinct will feature 20ha of green open space, including a central 7500 sqm park, which will be home to a children’s adventure playground, barbecues, sun lounges and public art. 
Villawood Properties Executive Director Tony Johnson said while the first land sales are not until July, hundreds of prospective buyers have already registered their interest online.  
“This interest is primarily from local second and third home buyers who are looking to enjoy life in a new home while staying in the community they already love," he said.
“The Surrounds could well be one of Queensland’s most connected communities because it has been designed to take advantage of the easy access to the nearby M1, Gold Coast Highway, Helensvale Train Station and future Gold Coast light rail stage 2.”
For more information <a href="https://villawoodproperties.com.au/community/the-surrounds" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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