<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Joel Robinson

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.

With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.

Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.

Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]

Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.

For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.

"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.

"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]

The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.

Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.

The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]

At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.

Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]

A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.

Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]

Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

Historic

The landmark Coogee mansion, Ballamac House, is set to undergo a redevelopment into luxury apartments.

Sydney developer Central Element are seeking to transform the historic house, which has been flats for the last six decades. The building at 39 Arcadia Street, just 350 metres from the beach, will be restored and revived to its original glory, creating a collection of just eight apartments&nbsp;to be added to the east of the house.&nbsp;

The group’s vision of fusing old and new will bring the Ballamac House estate into a new era, with the restoration and new build designed by acclaimed architects, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG), who have collaborated with Central Element on a number of previous projects, including 25Hours Paddington and The Metro-Minerva Potts Point.&nbsp;

TZG’s Director, Tim Greer said their approach was to design both spectacular but also comfortable residences, which spoke to the site’s coastal location and embraced the natural elements of the surrounding environment.&nbsp;

“With Ballamac’s rich Coogee history and Central Element’s expertise, TZG Architects are making a new story. The things we chase in our stories as we craft them are timeless, rational and beautiful but the things that you remember are the small moments of wonder and delight that stay with you long after you have departed” Greer said.

All eight residences will feature three-bedrooms, with the rooftop and penthouse apartments to be split across two levels of living.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Two of the residences will sit within the original 1860’s house with the remaining six situated in the added apartment building, which will feature a communal outdoor entertaining area and garden.

Each of the residences will enjoy the locale of the waterfront location with uninterrupted views out to Wedding Cake Island.

The two apartments within the original house are set to be an ode to old-worldly living, with the retention of the external and internal walls of the original house, along with original fireplaces, mantel pieces, and decorative ceilings.&nbsp;

The residences will also see the reconstruction of the wrap-around verandah with the original rectangular cast iron columns, allowing for indoor to outdoor living.

The repair and conservation of the sandstone walls of the original house will be continued in the new apartment building, blending old and new.

There will be new landscaping by&nbsp;award-winning landscape architecture practice JILA, which will also see a communal plunge pool added.

Central Element’s Managing Director, Nathan Chivas said Ballamac House is a hallmark project for the group, designed to make a lasting impact on the celebrated beach lifestyle in one of Sydney’s most sought-after addresses.&nbsp;

“The legacy and famous history of the building will be preserved as we transform the former residence and add further luxury living spaces that will deliver an elevated lifestyle dimension to the landmark site,” he said.&nbsp;

Completion of the redevelopment is slated for 2024.&nbsp;

The building at 39 Arcadia Street, just 350 metres from the beach, will be restored and revived to its original glory

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Central Element to redevelop Coogee's 1860’s Ballamac House into luxury apartments

EXPERT OBSERVER

Employment fell by 594,300 in April – the biggest monthly decline in jobs on record. Full-time jobs fell by 220,500 and part-time jobs fell by 373,800.

The unemployment rate rose from 5.2 per cent to 6.2 per cent in April – the biggest lift on record. It was the highest jobless rate since July 2015.

Hours worked fell by 9.2 per cent - the biggest monthly decline on record.

Participation rate: The participation rate fell from 66 per cent to a near 16-year low of 63.5 per cent – the biggest fall on record.

Spare capacity: In April, the underutilisation rate increased by 5.9 percentage points to a record 19.9 per cent. The underemployment rate increased by 4.9 percentage points to a record 13.7 per cent.

Unemployment across states in April: NSW 6.0 per cent (March 4.9 per cent); Victoria 6.0 per cent (5.2 per cent); Queensland 6.8 per cent (5.7 per cent); South Australia 7.2 per cent (6.3 per cent); Western Australia 6.0 per cent (5.4 per cent); Tasmania 6.2 per cent (4.9 per cent); Northern Territory 6.0 per cent (5.5 per cent); ACT 4.2 per cent (3.2 per cent). A record 221,500 jobs were lost in New South Wales; 129,500 jobs were lost in Queensland; and 127,100 jobs were lost in Victoria.

A raft of companies is affected by the employment data but especially those dependent on consumer spending.

What does it all mean?

If you went back a year ago, no one would have imagined that more than half a million jobs could be lost in the space of a month. The terms ‘unprecedented’ and ‘extraordinary’ are used regularly to describe the effects of COVID-19 on the economy. But when discussing the impact on the job market, the terms are appropriate.

What is happening in the figures is that almost 600,000 weren’t registered as employed in April – they didn’t work more than hour a week in the reference week. But those JobSeeker and JobKeeper recipients didn’t join the dole queue rather they “left” the workforce – they were neither employed or unemployed in the month. Rather the JobKeeper and JobSeeker beneficiaries stayed home, and waited for the economy to re-start so they could return to workplaces.

The fact that the jobless rate rose to 6.2 per cent and not 8.2 per cent is very positive. It shows that those on the sidelines are confident of returning to their jobs. The longer that an unemployed person stays out of work, the harder it is for that person to eventually find work. The great hope is that the job losses were only temporary and that the re-opening of the economy is indeed successful.

The best way to describe the impact of COVID-19 on the job market is in terms of the number of hours worked. Hours worked slumped by a record 9.2 per cent, and that accords with expectations that the economy will contract 10 per cent in the first half of 2020.

Many people have kept their jobs because of the JobKeeper program. So while those on the program are still ‘employed’ and deriving an income of sorts, they are not working, not adding to the output of businesses, and not adding to overall economic activity. The JobKeeper program keeps people connected to their employers, which is positive for the recovery phase. But the payments also ensure that people can spend and therefore serve to keep others in jobs and keep the economy moving.

The jobless rate is expected to peak near 10 per cent. And the Reserve Bank and Federal Treasury expect the economy to contract 10 per cent in the first half of 2020. But provided social distancing is maintained with good hand hygiene and significant COVID-19 testing, there is no reason that a ‘V-shaped’ economic recovery can’t occur as lockdown restrictions ease.

Looking ahead, the closure of our foreign borders will have a range of effects on the economy which also represents the value of Buying Off-The-Plan. Around 150,000 people come to Australia each year on different visas and do the jobs that Australians can’t or won’t do. If the jobs aren’t filled, then this could slow business output and economic output. But the absence, or reduced number, of migrants could serve to keep the jobless rate down if Aussies take up the jobs that they have shunned in the past.

The drop in jobs masks the impact - and future impact - on incomes. People have lost income and there is little hope for a lift in wages in the months ahead. Add in the deferral of dividend payments by listed companies and little or no interest income and there may be scope for ‘top up’ cash handouts by the Government.

CRAIG JAMES is the&nbsp;Chief Economist at CommSec

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Historic Aussie job market unemployment spike: CommSec's Craig James

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A nineteenth century heritage-listed property in Taroona has sold.
The historic Tasmanian house, known as Hillgrove, is built on a 4.8 hectares, and features uninterrupted views over the Derwent Estuary and Storm Bay.
It has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, formal living areas, a library, five fireplaces, and large gardens.
Built in the 1860's, the home is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Council and National Trust of Australia.
It previously traded in 2014, when it fetched $1.058 million.
Gayle Walker, from Sotheby's International Realty Greater Hobart, marketed the property. It was asking $1.4 million this time last year.
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Taroona's Hillgrove property finds buyer

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Former Stockland boss Matthew Quinn and wife Julie have completed their property re-shuffling, having settled on a historic homestead at Berry.
The couple been buying and selling at Kirribilli and recently sold their former Berry home to upgrade.
They've settled on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-berry-127483950" target="_blank">Mananga Homestead</a>, the 1890s property which has a history stretching back to the times of agriculturist David Berry, the suburb's namesake.
It had been ran as a successful bed and breakfast accomodation before the purchase. Over the years it has also lent itself to holiday letting and has been used as a family home.
Overlooking the farms and hills of the South Coast, Mananga has seven bedrooms. There is a country kitchen.
It has been restored since it last traded for $1.25 million in 2003, but maintains some of its original features such as its high ceilings, ornate cornices, hardwood flooring and fireplaces.
A wide wrap around verandah with undercover entertaining area overlooks water features, the manicured lawns and established gardens.
The original dairy with rustic hand hewn timbers, a silo and horse paddocks sits on the near two hectare parcel.
Carrie Bond at South Coast Prestige Properties Kiama sold the home in just 26 days.
The Quinn's recently flipped their Kirribilli townhouse for $3.45 million, having bought it just 15 months earlier for $2.6 million.
They were downsizing at the time, having sold their former Kirribilli home for $7.2 million.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
 
 
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Matthew Quinn and wife Julie buy historic Berry, Mananga Homestead,

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Malaysian property developer UEM Sunrise Berhad has started construction of Conservatory, a 446-apartment project in Melbourne that will reflect the importance of the archaeological finds from the site.
Digging at the 9-23 McKenzie Street site uncovered over 250,000 artefacts in the former Mistletoe Hotel dating back to 1855.
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/Sunrise2.jpg" alt="" width="718" height="525">
Treasures from Melbourne’s Gold Rush era such as a gold nugget, early silver coins, Rising Sun military badges and other artefacts were recovered. The excavation was carried out by consultants TerraCulture Pty Ltd.
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/Sunrise3.jpg" alt="" width="727" height="486">
Jeremy Smith, principal archaeologist at Heritage Victoria, emphasised the importance of the excavation in unravelling a piece of Melbourne’s history.  
“These items signify the influx of wealth coming into Melbourne during the time of European settlement and the gold rush. We are incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity to uncover these artefacts.” 
The $330 million Conservatory is UEM Sunrise Berhad’s second project in Melbourne and will comprise 446 units of one, two and three-bedroom residences on 42 levels. It will also have three levels of residential facilities including a pool, gym, private cinema and jacuzzi. 
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/i1.jpg" alt="">
Its first was Aurora Melbourne Central.
Hickory Group Pty Ltd (Hickory) has been appointed the builder for Conservatory, with construction expected to be completed by end 2018. Ninety percent apartments have been sold to date.
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/i2.jpg" alt="">
UEM Sunrise Chief Operating Officer (Commercial), Raymond Cheah, said “It is fitting that Conservatory’s history is rooted in the opulent Gold Rush era – positioned next to the lush Carlton Gardens. This project epitomises luxury, park-side living with its quality interiors and all the finer things in life such as a private jacuzzi, observation skydeck, private cinema and golf simulator.” 
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/i3.jpg" alt="">
Conservatory is nestled between the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.
Taking inspiration from the park, the exterior of Conservatory will resemble an elegant glasshouse, designed by Cox Architecture Pty Ltd, that will change colours with the seasons.
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/i4.jpg" alt="">
In paying homage to the site’s history, builder Hickory will incorporate some of the bluestone uncovered in the excavation into the building as a permanently installed piece of art, as well as display cases to showcase the selection of findings in Conservatory’s lobby. 
<img src="/images/2016/10/13/i6.jpg" alt="">
“Conservatory will no doubt be an amazing place to live, even more so knowing that we are all contributing to the next chapter of the area’s already rich history,” said Michael Argyrou, Hickory’s managing director.  
 <img src="/images/2016/10/13/i7.jpg" alt="">
 
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Construction starts on Conservatory, an apartment project with archaeological twist  

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The philanthropic former newspaperman James Fairfax has now moved to formalise the gifting of his now subdivided historic Retford Park estate in the NSW Southern Highlands.
The Italianate 1887 residence will sit within a protected 32-hectare heritage curtilage to be owned by the NSW National Trust.
Retford Park will be another heritage property on the National Trust Heritage Trail, which will run along the Old Hume Highway 31, including Harper's Mansion at Berrima, Golden Vale at Sutton Forrest, Riversdale at Goulburn and Cooma Cottage at Yass.
The Old South Road property, which sits on the southern edge of Bowral’s rapidly suburban expansion, comes with about 100 hectares including land zoned for subdivision which is being conducted through Savills.
The project director, Allen Robinson said Mr Fairfax was determined to maintain the integrity of Retford Park with plans that were sympathetic to the heritage property and surrounding areas.
The philanthropic former chairman of the ailing publishing company that bears his family name had long advised he would bequeath Retford Park for the benefit of the public.
The story was written by me in 2009 in the Sydney Morning Herald. It was his idea for at least three decades.
Retford Park has been the country home of the arts patron since he paid £15,000 in 1964 for it on a then four-hectare holding.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/retfordmarch1two.jpg" alt="retfordmarch1two" width="470" height="468">
Retford Park, with an Italianate revival-style mansion, dates back to the 1880s when it was the summer retreat of the <a href="https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/uploads/1721/w_appendix-7-sue-rosen-final-retford-park-report_resize.pdf" target="_blank">retailing Hordern family</a>. It sits in well maintained gardens that include three Wollemi pines and a Guilford Bell swimming pool pavillion.
"I think Retford Park is an important part of the heritage of the Wingecarribee Shire area and provision has been made in my will for the house and the immediate surrounding land, including the garden, to be left in trust to be viewed by future generations," Mr Fairfax told me in 2009.
Listed on the register of the national estate since 1980, Retford Park takes its name from the village in Nottinghamshire, the northern England town from where Anthony and Ann Hordern immigrated in 1825.
The grounds have many heritage oaks, an enduring association with the Hordern's retailing business, whose emblem was an oak tree under which were the words "While I live, I'll grow".
<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/retfordmarch1three.jpg" alt="retfordmarch1three" width="470" height="310">
It was first sold after Anthony's great-grandson, Sir Samuel Hordern, died in 1956, leaving an estate of $279,000. It was briefly owned by the cattle stud operator King Ranch (Australia), of which Edwina Hordern's husband, Peter Baillieu, was managing director.
In his 1991 book, Regards to Broadway, Mr Fairfax recollected he'd had no plans to buy a country house. "But chatting to Peter Baillieu at a cocktail party in December 1963, I learned that Retford Park and 10 acres [four hectares] of land were to be sold." 
It occurred to James that it might be a suitable place for his mother to stay on her annual six month visits from England.
Mr Fairfax, the eldest son of the late Sir Warwick Fairfax and his first wife, Betty Wilson, then set about regularly buying adjoining rural land.
He also set about enlivening the house. 
"When my offer of £15,000 for the house and 10 acres with an option to buy another 10 in three years was accepted, I went into the usual ‘What on earth have I taken on?’ syndrome, but soon
recovered as I got involved in the redecoration which was being done by Leslie Walford," he recalled to Sue Rosen in 2011.
"Some six months later, in the winter of 1964, I commissioned Donald Friend to paint a mural in the dining room," he said.
Photos courtesy of <a href="https://www.highlifemagazine.com.au/" target="_blank">Highlife Magazine</a>, which reports on life in the Southern Highlands of Australia
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James Fairfax to gift historic Retford Park estate

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The Singaporean construction company Lian Beng has emerged as the buyer of Newspaper House, on Collins Street, Melbourne.
It sold recently for around $24.9 million. Established in 1973, Lian Beng Group is one of Singapore's major home-grown building construction groups with integrated civil engineering division. It is headed by Ong Pang Aik.
The historic Newspaper House, at 247 Collins Street, Melbourne comes with mosaic mural on its front facade designed by Napier Waller in 1932.
Mervyn Napier Waller's "I'll put a girdle about the earth" features heroic human figures appear among scenes of commerce, construction and communication.
There's lots of gold, an echo of the Byzantine era, in the 1933 commission by Sir Keith Murdoch from the Herald &amp; Weekly Times who needed more than their empire on Flinders Street.
<img class="img-responsive" src="/images/2015/05/08/700_mural.jpg" alt="Newspaper House, Collins Street under offer">
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It was the former WH Rocke Ltd building on a 478 square metre holding. The purchaser was considering both leasing and subdivision plans for the building.
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<div class="row article-content">The ground floor of 247 Collins Street had been previously leased to the House of Cashmere, and the upper levels to Sydney International College.  </div>
HIDDEN TREASURES OF NAPIER WALLER
1926-27 MURALS Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street.
1927 MURAL Menzies Hotel, cnr Bourke and William streets (building demolished in 1969, mural sold privately).
1928 MURAL Better Than to Squander Life's Gifts Is to Conserve Them and Ensure a Fearless Future T&amp;G Life Building entry foyer, cnr Collins and Russell streets.
1928 MURAL Peace After Victory State Library of Victoria, first-floor landing near La Trobe Reading Room, cnr, Swanston and La Trobe street.
1933 MOSAIC I'll Put a Girdle Round the Earth Newspaper House facade, 247 Collins Street.
1934 FLORENTINE MURALS Florentino Restaurant, now Grossi Florentino, first floor, 80 Bourke Street.
1935 STAINED GLASS WINDOW Wesley Church, Pioneers window, upper gallery, north wall, 148 Lonsdale Street.
1935 STAINED GLASS WINDOW Ian Potter Museum foyer, Swanston Street on university campus. (Designed for Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, which was destroyed by fire in 1951. Window was retrieved from the ruins.)
1935 MUIRALS Myer Melbourne Mural Hall dining room, sixth floor, 314 Bourke Street.
1937 STAINED GLASS Orchid Window University of Melbourne Botany School.
1940 MURAL Australian Symbolic Figures University of Melbourne Achitecture, Building and Planning Library (Orginally on display at Royal Insurance Company, 414-418 Collins Street, but donated to university after building was demolished in 1969.)
1963 MOSAIC The Eight Aboriginal Tribal Headmen Temple Court foyer, 422 Collins Street.
1967 MOSAIC Prometheus Monash House foyer, 15 William Street.
List Source: Fairfax Media
 
 
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