<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/edge-visionary-living">Edge Visionary Living</a> has completed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/broadway-on-the-bay-crawley-168-broadway-crawley-wa-6009">Broadway on the Bay</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crawley-wa-6009">Crawley</a>, a boutique riverfront development delivered by Edge's in-house construction team.

Over 80 per cent of the 21 apartments, positioned along the Swan River foreshore and parkland, have already been sold prior to completion.

The development draws on the site’s natural setting and the surrounding Art Deco character of Crawley. The design incorporates light-toned brickwork, sculpted curves, and bronze accents at &nbsp;street level, complemented by full-height glazing and moveable screening above.

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Each residence has been optimised to capture river and parkland views. Interiors feature natural materials &nbsp;such as stone, timber and bronze detailing, with the inclusion of high-quality finishes throughout.&nbsp;

The residents’ amenities focus on wellbeing and connection. Landscaped gardens, a yoga space, gymnasium and Western Red Cedar–lined sauna provide residents with a balance of recreation and relaxation, while shared lounges, a wine room and private dining area supports social engagement.&nbsp;

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The remaining apartments are predominantly three-bedroom layouts, priced from $3.8 million.&nbsp;The development has attracted buyers from Perth’s western suburbs seeking to downsize without compromise, as well as professionals and long-term locals drawn to the riverfront setting.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/wa/how-edge-visionary-living-navigated-the-pandemic-and-came-out-stronger-five-minutes-with-gavin-hawkins">How EDGE Visionary Living navigated the pandemic, and came out stronger: Five minutes with Gavin Hawkins</a>

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Joel Robinson

Edge Visionary Living completes Broadway on the Bay apartments in Crawley

North West Sydney is undergoing significant transformation, with population growth and sustained infrastructure investment reshaping suburbs like <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/tallawong-nsw-2762">Tallawong</a> into emerging residential hubs.&nbsp;

Minutes from Tallawong Metro Station, the newly launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew</a> development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/positive-investment-enterprise">Positive Investment Enterprise</a> is set within this evolving corridor, offering residents direct access to expanding transport, green space, and future retail.

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Frequent bus services and proximity to Schofields and Rouse Hill ensure efficient links to the broader Sydney network, while the nearby Metro North West Line connects residents to key employment centres in Macquarie Park, Norwest Business Park and the Sydney CBD.

The development’s address on Schofields Road places it within close reach of major retail and lifestyle destinations, including Rouse Hill Town Centre, which provides access to supermarkets, dining, cinemas, and specialty stores.&nbsp;

Local convenience is further supported by a nearby Woolworths and the addition of a planned retail precinct within the Kew community itself.

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Families benefit from a range of nearby educational facilities, such as Rouse Hill Anglican College, Riverstone High School, and Wyndham College, along with early learning centres and public schools.&nbsp;

TAFE NSW Western Sydney campuses also support vocational and further education pathways.

Recreational amenity is anchored by Rouse Hill Regional Park, offering extensive green space for outdoor activities. A broader network of parks and planned pedestrian and cycle connections enhances the walkability of the suburb.&nbsp;

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Within the development, Kew incorporates its own landscaped communal zones designed to foster connection and outdoor living in a low-maintenance setting.

This focus on space and liveability continues inside each residence, where thoughtful design and natural outlooks create a sense of calm and comfort. Most north-facing apartments capture views stretching to the Blue Mountains, while all homes are generously sized and carefully planned by the design team to maximise light, functionality and storage.

The apartments also feature smart technology, with secure parking and access to an electric vehicle fleet for residents.

Solar panels installed across the building help offset common area electricity use, reducing strata fees and supporting a more sustainable community.

Stage 2 is now selling, with one-bedroom residences starting from $565,000. Purchases are available from a five per cent deposit, offering an accessible entry into Sydney’s growing north-west.

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Staff Writer

Connectivity and convenience at Kew Tallawong’s north-west address

Leading developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/time-place">Time &amp; Place</a>, alongside joint venture partners MaxCap Group and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, have marked a major milestone across Southbank’s newest hospitality and residential tower.

They've completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-queensbridge-building-southbank-90-queensbridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The Queensbridge Building</a>, with the first stage now complete and fully sold-out. The&nbsp;project team is working towards the completion of stage two by the end of 2025. Limited stage two residences remain, with two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 72 sqm to 174 sqm and priced between $890,000 to $3.35 million.

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The Queensbridge Building is designed to anchor the growing lifestyle precinct of Southbank, which is on the doorstep of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct, CBD, South Melbourne, and sporting and entertainment venues, with the addition of the soon-to-launch Hannah St Hotel to be operated by TFE Hotels, and five new restaurants and bars by hospitality operator The Mulberry Group – the creative minds behind Higher Ground, Hazel and The Kettle Black.

The food and beverage offering will encompass the Hannah St Coffee hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, Coupette Corner Bistro and Bar, the Terrace Lounge venue, Bar Hannah lobby bar and The Carriage Lounge, which is designed as a moody and intimate late-night retreat.

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Time &amp; Place Director and Founder Tim Price said&nbsp;The Queensbridge Building is shaping into the cornerstone of Southbank’s up-and-coming cultural and lifestyle scene.

"Punctuated by the Hannah St Hotel, new restaurants by The Mulberry Group, and experience-led residences that define the building, the precinct is certain to become one of Melbourne’s most popular.”

&nbsp;

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Interiors at both The Queensbridge Building and Hannah St Hotel were thoughtfully curated by award-winning interior design practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/flack-studio">Flack Studio</a>, with architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a>. Hannah Street Hotel is now taking bookings.

Amenities at The Queensbridge Building include private outdoor terraces, gardens, lap pools, wellness spaces, gym and co-working, with Hannah St Hotel services available for residences at the Clubhouse.

For residents, the building is designed to imbue a feeling of “modern nostalgia” – a warm, inviting and authentic feeling of home, balanced by the quality, sophistication and materiality of today’s luxury living.

Prioritising floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise natural light, open floorplans and meticulously curated finishes, the project is designed to give residents a blank canvas to paint their own experiences onto.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1504 project_image_fid=272106]

The team maintained an intrinsic focus on experience during development, The Queensbridge Building is a highly walkable location in the centre of a 15-minute neighbourhood. It will benefit from continued investment in local infrastructure, nearby event spaces, wellness facilities, private areas, hotel amenities and hospitality, culminating in a building designed for residents who crave authentic experiences.

&nbsp;

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Time & Place completes stage one of The Queensbridge Building, unveiling Melbourne’s newest lifestyle precinct

The transformation of one of Sydney’s key innovation and employment hubs has taken a major step forward, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> securing development approval for its new residential project in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a>.

Approved by the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/161-herring-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">161 Herring Road and 13-15 Lachlan Avenue</a> will deliver a 17-storey residential building comprising 181 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including 29 affordable housing dwellings for key workers and lower-income earners.

Located just 300m from the Macquarie Park Metro Station, the State Significant Development forms part of the State’s broader strategy to deliver housing in well-connected, high-demand locations.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a>, the project will feature landscaped communal areas, rooftop open space, and four basement levels providing 191 car parking spaces and dedicated bicycle facilities.

The development will also target an industry-leading 7-star average rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) and incorporate features including on-site solar energy generation.

Deicorp Chairman Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval reflected Deicorp’s ongoing commitment to delivering well-connected housing close to jobs, education and transport.

“Macquarie Park continues to evolve as one of Sydney’s most dynamic mixed-use precincts,"&nbsp;Fouad said.

"This approval allows us to move forward with creating high-quality, accessible homes that contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable community."

As part of the development, Deicorp will make a $2.8 million contribution to local community, cultural, and open space infrastructure, as well as a $1.6 million Housing and Productivity Contribution, supporting the delivery of local services and public amenities.

Located within walking distance of Macquarie University Metro Station and Macquarie Centre, the project adjoins the State Significant Macquarie Park renewal area, a key growth precinct identified for new homes, improved transport links and public domain upgrades.

With the development consent now in place, Deicorp will progress detailed design and early construction planning ahead of a targeted commencement in 2026. Deicorp currently has over 2000 apartments under construction across Sydney.

Deicorp greenlit for new Macquarie Park apartment project

Buying off the plan doesn’t mean buying blind. There are several new innovations that allow prospective purchasers to get a true feel for how the apartments are going to look once completed.

Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gamuda-land">Gamuda Land</a> has gone down the route of creating a prototype apartment for its St Kilda project, Fareham, allowing prospective buyers a first-hand look at the finished residences ahead of completion by Markscon.

“We understand that purchasing an apartment off the plan can feel like a leap of faith,” says Shawna Fam, Head of Sales &amp; Marketing at Gamuda Land Australia. “That’s why we’re proud to offer a hands-on experience that gives buyers complete confidence in their decision - from the finishes, to the outlook.”

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fareham-st-kilda-95-st-kilda-road-st-kilda-vic-3182">Fareham</a>&nbsp;has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bayley-ward">Bayley Ward</a>, with the architecture drawing on its coastal setting, with soft curves and materials that flow through into the interiors, reinforcing a sense of calm and connection to place.

There are still select opportunities across two, three, and four-bedroom layouts, which offer a sense of privacy with a maximum of just five apartments per floor.

Inside, residences have been designed with a practical mudroom at the entry, a rare inclusion in inner-city apartments, offering dedicated space for coats, shoes and bags. The open-plan living and dining area is bathed in natural light and oriented towards a private balcony, where future residents will enjoy uninterrupted views across Albert Park Lake and the Melbourne skyline.

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Clever touches such as a concealed Euro laundry ensure space is maximised without compromising on aesthetics or functionality - all reflecting the level of finish owner-occupiers can expect in the completed residences.

Sustainability has also been prioritised, with Fareham targeting an 8.0-star NatHERs average rating, achieved through solar integration, all-electric systems and water-sensitive landscaping.

With the structure now topped out, construction partner Markscon is advancing internal works throughout all 16 levels.

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Fareham is attracting steady interest from local downsizers, professionals, and families, seeking a home just 500m from the foreshore, with a tram, Albert Park Lake, and Fitzroy Street at the doorstep. Resident lifestyle has too been prioritized within the building, with private amenities including a rooftop terrace, yoga room, and a podium garden.

Fareham is on track to welcome buyers by mid-2026.

“From the very first enquiry, we’ve taken buyers through every aspect of the project in detail,” Shawna Fam added.

“One-on-one consultations help them explore layouts and finishes tailored to their lifestyle - it becomes a truly collaborative journey.”

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Gamuda Land unveils display apartment at new Fareham development in St Kilda

Hotel Market

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The Old Bank, the historic Mittagong property in the Southern Highlands, has been listed for sale after its decade long restoration.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mittagong-130730858" target="_blank">property at 83 Main Street</a> has been acting as The Old Bank Hotel, but is now being offered as the potential to become a grand family residence.
Some 80 years after the settlement of Mittagong in the 1820s, the Southern Highlands town became home to many industries.
Following the 1867 completion of the railway line from Sydney, Mittagong became a gateway to the southern area and beyond, leading to the development of a tourist trade with inns, hotels, guest houses and shops becoming prevalent. 
The Commercial Banking Company occupied Waratah Cottage in the 1880s before relocating to Victoria House, some 500 metres away, before moving to the current property that was to be known as The Old Bank.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/3/28/Mitt2.jpg" alt="">
It was built in the late 1880s at a construction cost of around £2,840 on land purchased from John Hilder for £373. It opened its doors in 1891.
A complete restoration came following its $990,000 trade in 2009 when The Old Bank was bought as a hotel. CHECK.
Local craftsmen transformed the slate roofed and stone walled building which was falling into disrepair.
The main residence comprises six heritage-style bedrooms, which each have names stemming from xxxx. All complete with ensuite, the bedrooms are dubbed Clocktower, Gibraltar, Albert, Victoria and Alexandra.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/3/28/Mitt3.jpg" alt="">
They sit on the second level. The ground floor comprises an entry hall with reception and lounge, a private dining room, a library and a wine cellar.
The wine cellar was previously the original bank vault, which is to this day secured with a 1,000 kilogram door cast in London in 1852.
On the 1,095 sqm Main Street parcel are two freestanding buildings, the sandstock cottage and original coach house, both of which have been restored and now home self-contained accomodation. 
The Old Bank is being offered by Andrew de Montemas at W.M.Carpenter &amp; Associates Bowral.
He has a guide of $4 million.
 
 
 
 
 
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Mittagong's The Old Bank for sale as grand family home

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Australia remains a favoured hotel investment market due to its economic performance, stability, transparency and governance, Gus Moors, Colliers International’s Head of Hotels, says.
“With more than $1 billion worth of hotel assets currently being marketed or in play, we expect transaction activity to increase in FYE2019.”
Colliers International’s Capital Markets Hotel Investment Review found Australian hotel transaction activity slowed in FYE2018, with volumes easing to $1.34billion after a record three years.
Deal flow increased, however, with 35 transactions above $10 million concluding throughout the year. This compares to 30 transactions in FYE2017. In New South Wales, $350 million worth of hotel assets changed hands, followed by Queensland ($347 million) and Victoria ($343 million).
Australian investors accounted for 63.7% of asset trades in FYE2018, considerably higher than the 16.5% recorded in FYE2017.
Investors from Mainland China fell behind the rest of Asia as one of the more dominant sources of inbound capital, accounting for only 1% of transactions over the year, as capital restrictions continued to bite.
“This trend is likely to continue, with South East Asian investors dominating the offshore investment landscape driven by renewed interest in diversification, both in terms of location and product,” Mr Moors said. “
Colliers International found that for the first time for more than a decade, the number of rooms opening throughout the year surpassed the number traded with investors focused on the development of new rooms.
In FYE2018, almost 6,500 new rooms came on line in the ten major markets with an estimated value of more than $2 billion.
Colliers International estimates there is a weighted accommodation pipeline of around 27,000 rooms across Australia, with almost half of these new rooms currently under construction and 7,000 rooms proposed.
These are thought likely to commence construction in the next six months or are government mandated projects.
“All markets, except for Darwin and the Gold Coast, are seeing an accelerated pipeline with openings expected to peak in 2019 and 2020,” Ms Wales said.
“Development activity is greatest in Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth with increases set to expand the existing supply base by more than one third.”
Mr Moors said tourism was becoming increasingly important as Australia transitions to a more diversified service-based economy, and had the potential to be Australia’s fastest growing industry.
“Globally, travel continues to take a larger share of consumer spending and visitor expenditure in Australia is projected to continue to grow at a strong rate,” he said.
“The influence of demographics presents new opportunities for the hotel sector, as developers and brands seek to remain ahead of the curve in catering to both established and emerging generations of corporate employees and leisure travelers.
He concluded by noting, "strong growth in inbound tourism, particularly from China, increased leisure travel by wealthy retiring baby boomers and catering to Millennials as the largest segment of the workforce are all factors which investors should consider over the coming year.”
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Investment in Australian hotels on the rise in 2018: Colliers International

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The Melbourne Luxury Hotel market is out-performing virtually all other markets in Australia, driven by record international and domestic tourist numbers, with significant further domestic and international inbound growth forecast, according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA).
Melbourne developer Argo Group has appointed Savills to market the turnkey opportunity of a brand new 93-room lifestyle hotel situated at 230 Toorak Road, South Yarra, one of Melbourne’s oldest and most affluent inner-city suburbs.
The listing comes with approved planning permit, with opening of the hotel proposed for mid-2019.
The Hotel is ideally positioned in the heart of the bustling suburb of South Yarra, on Toorak Road, at its intersection with the famous retail and leisure district of Chapel Street.
Designed by award-winning architects Woods Bagot, the lifestyle hotel will comprise 93 hotel rooms ranging in size from 26 sqm to 32 sqm across ground and six levels, as well as a signature ground floor bar and restaurant.
Delivery of the Hotel will be overseen by experienced project managers Construction Assignments, who have overseen numerous leading hotel projects across Australia, with leading Melbourne based construction firm Hickory being retained to build the hotel.
Michael Simpson and Tom Shadbolt of Savills Australia are marketing the property. They said this is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a highly coveted freehold title to a new lifestyle hotel that will outshine its rivals in design, technological advancement and customer experience.
“Melbourne has been independently voted as the world’s most liveable city for seven consecutive years," Simpson said.
"Combine this with a global reputation for design, fine dining, retail and leisure and the city has propelled itself to a ‘must-go’ destination for international travellers.
“Argo Group is offering to market an exclusive opportunity to gain exposure to Australia’s most desirable, most tightly held and most coveted hotel market, and the flexibility to appoint a preferred hotel operator with control over branding, market positioning and management terms.
“The design-led boutique Hotel will immediately appeal to discerning customers seeking high quality accommodation in the lively South Yarra district” Simpson concluded.
Savills have released their quarterly update on the hotel market. It can be <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/publications-pdf/savills-hotels-quarterly-update-september-2017.pdf?utm_source=PropertyObserver&amp;utm_medium=DigitalAdvert&amp;utm_campaign=CPOeNewsletterBanner-HotelsUpdate-22Nov2017&amp;utm_source=Property+Observer+List&amp;utm_campaign=3fe0087e5e-Commercial_Property_15_November_2017&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_a523fbfccb-3fe0087e5e-245386345" target="_blank">found here.</a>
 
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Melbourne Luxury Hotel market is out-performing virtually all other markets in Australia

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Hotels are hot property for investors at the moment, outperforming all other property classes in Australia, says a recent report by Savills.
With international and domestic visitors growing 11.5 percent and 5 percent respectively in CY 2016, the hotel industry has not seen growth at this level since the Sydney 2000 Olympics, according to Savills Australia’s Hotels market report. 
Sydney and Melbourne are the standout performers, with their strong market KPI’s against a backdrop of compressing yields.
Chinese tourists take the lead in international visitors, growing at 22 percent, helped by more flights between the two countries and a relatively low Australian dollar making the country a more affordable destination, says Michael Simpson, Savills managing director of Hotels. 
“In a very positive sign for the depth of the market, the outstanding international inbound growth has been experienced across a wide range of markets, with inbound visitor growth from many established Asian markets, as well as the US, above 15 percent,” said Simpson.
In further proof of the strength of the market, Tourism Research Australia’s 10-year forecast expects international visitor nights and domestic visitor nights to grow at 5.6 percent and 3.1 percent annually respectively. Australia can expect to see increased room night demand nationally for the foreseeable future.
The Australia-wide market achieved a ‘revenue per available room’ (RevPAR) for CY 2016 of $139, which represented YOY growth of 2.2 percent.
All Australian cities posted RevPAR growth except Perth, Brisbane and Darwin with RevPAR declining in those cities by 9.3 percent, 8.7 percent and 9.6 percent respectively. The decline in performance of these markets is primarily due to the impact of the end of Australia’s resource boom, and rise in room supply.
For the remaining markets, Savills says growth in market KPI’s can be attributed to an increase in leisure demand from domestic and international markets, stimulated by a lower Australian dollar and stronger economic activity underpinned by construction and infrastructure projects.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/28/SavillsHotels.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/28/SavillsHotels.png" alt="">
China is the engine room for visitor night growth in Australia right now, says Simpson. 
Australia received more than 7.4 million international visitors (up 11.5 percent) and 251 million international visitor nights (up 3.8 percent) for the year ended September 30, 2016.
Tourism Research Australia recently released international visitor numbers for CY 2016 which totalled 8.3 million, representing a healthy year-on-year (YOY) growth of 11 percent. 
The New Zealand market continues to contribute the highest number of visitors to Australia. However, the China visitor market recorded YOY growth of 21.9 percent, enabling it to exceed 1 million visitors, who more importantly spend an average of 40 nights in Australia when touring Down Under. 
As a result, China produced 43 million room nights representing almost three times the volume produced by New Zealand. The Chinese visitors also tend to spend more per capita compared to other visitors.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/28/SavillsHotelDeals.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/28/SavillsHotelDeals.png" alt="">
Simpson went on to say that Sydney’s strong performance is set to continue with occupancies reaching capacity during peak holiday and corporate activity periods, providing the opportunity for hoteliers to grow ADR.
“Sydney’s Luxury segment capitalised on the strength of the market achieving an occupancy of 85.9%, and ADR of $339 (up 7 percent), delivering a RevPAR of $291 (up 5.7 percent), which exceeded Melbourne’s Luxury segment RevPAR of $271.
“The key factors underpinning Sydney’s current and expected future performance are a combination of buoyant economic metrics, strength in banking, finance, insurance, professional services and construction/ infrastructure projects, which are collectively fuelling a tsunami of economic activity and room night demand in Sydney.
“For the next 10 years, Sydney occupancy will remain in the 80th percentile,” said Simpson.
Melbourne was the second highest performing market in CY 2016 with an increase in occupancy for the fourth consecutive year. Conversely, Average Daily Rate (ADR) declined marginally, suggesting that while occupancy remained strong, hoteliers were unable to grow rate during non-peak periods. As a result RevPAR remained relatively stable in CY 2016, when compared to CY 2015.
Simpson said the inability to significantly grow ADR in CY 2016 is also demonstrated by Melbourne’s Luxury segment which reflected steady YOY market KPI’s, achieving an occupancy of 89.5 percent, ADR of $302 and delivering a static RevPAR of $271.
“Melbourne’s construction boom of residential apartments, commercial space and continuing development of Docklands, has also encompassed new hotel development,” he said.
“Despite the strength and enduring nature of Melbourne’s events calendar and symbiotic corporate activity Melbourne enjoys with Sydney, we anticipate that Melbourne market KPI’s will be under pressure to match Sydney’s performance in coming years given the relative challenge of delivering new supply in Sydney.” 
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Hotels become Australia’s highest returning real estate asset class: Savills 

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GUEST OBSERVER
Q3/2016 registered US$2.26 billion worth of investment transactions, representing a 15.0 percent increase over Q3/2015 (US$1.96 billion).
The number of transactions was also significantly lower.
Forty transactions were closed this quarter, while 46 transactions were recorded over the same quarter the previous year. The average transaction price was US$56.4 million, which was signi cantly higher than the US$42.6 million in Q3 a year ago. Japan commanded the largest share of total sales volume in the region this quarter, and all 13 transacted assets were acquired by Japanese investors. We expect growth of transaction volumes for the region for full-year 2016 to be subdued, mainly due to the lack of opportunities in core markets.
Eastern Asia
Japan continued to be one of the most active markets in APAC. Despite a quarter-to-quarter decline in sales volume of 32.1 percent, the total volume of JPY88.2 billion (US$865.5 million) was still the highest in the region. The hotel investment market has seen a series of large transactions in 2016, even as other sectors of Japan’s real estate market have retrenched.
Japan’s explosive growth in inbound tourism and its chronic lack of room supply have created a real interest in the hotel market, and players are leaping to take advantage. The Real Estate Investor Survey by the Japan Real Estate Institute (JREI) reports that expected cap rates on economy hotels in prime Tokyo locations have compressed from 5.4% to 5.0% since 1H/2015.
Hotel transactions frequently occur outside the nation’s capital, however – only seven transactions occurred in Tokyo in 1H/2016, according to Real Capital Analytics – resulting in a wide range of cap rates. We assume actual transaction cap rates to be much lower than JREI’s surveyed gure of 5.0 percent, because winning bidders tend to expect aggressive increases in ADR.
The largest buyer of the quarter was Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corporation (JHR) with the purchase of three hotels – Hotel Vista Grande Osaka, Hilton Nagoya and Hotel Ascent Fukuoka. The total sale was worth approximately JPY47.1 billion. Hotel Vista Grand Osaka will be rebranded into Holiday Inn Osaka Namba by the end of 2016, according to a JHR press release. Hotel Vista Grande Osaka was the largest transaction in Japan, sold by GK Apollo for JPY27.0 billion (US$267.3 million), or JPY85.9 million (US$851,275) per key. This was followed by Hilton Nagoya which was acquired at JPY15.2 billion (US$150.9 million), or JPY33.1 million (US$328,207) per key.
In June, Japan's Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry announced a plan to relax the oor area ratio of buildings by 1.5 times, or up to an additional 300 percent for hotel constructions. The new standards are expected to substantially increase accommodation capacity following Japan`s continuous increase in foreign visitors and the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Although based on this relaxed regulation, each local government is required to decide on their regional floor area ratios under the City Planning Law, and therefore the price of the land for hotel usage in major cities is expected to increase.
In China, sellers’ expectations remained high, and the continued lack of debt nancing for hotel projects has led major Chinese hotel investors to continue to look overseas for either tourism-related investments or refocus into investing in commercial assets or companies in other industries with high growth potential.
Chinese investors’ interest in Australian assets was evident in this quarter, concluding ve transactions there with a total of A$474.7 million (US$352.8 million), representing 15.6% of total volume in the quarter.
Hong Kong’s rst transaction of 2016 was closed this quarter, with the sale of A3 Hotel in Temple Street at HK$108 million (US$13.9 million), or HK$2.4 million (US$309,400) per key.
Southeast Asia
There were only two transactions in Southeast Asia this quarter. The Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel changed hands between IGB and S. Alam Group for MYR765 million (US$187.4 million), or MYR840,659 (US$205,890) per key.
There was no transaction in the same period the previous year. Malaysia has suffered from the sharp fall in international tourist arrivals, particularly those from China, since the airline disasters of two years ago. This quarter, however, the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association reported that the Chinese source market had shown some signs of recovery. According to Tourism Malaysia, international visitor numbers for 1H/2016 grew 3.7 percent, with remarkable increases from China and Thailand at 32.1 percent each and Laos at 26.8 percent. 
The Singapore hotel investment market remained inactive this quarter, due mainly to the lack of suitably priced assets and the tightened control of room stock by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. In Q2 and Q3, some 2,200 new rooms were added, mostly outside the central area, and 66 percent of the total was in the midscale category. Room nights sold for 1H/2016 rose 6.4 percent year-on-year, according to the Singapore Tourism Board. As of July 2016, the city state registered an increase of 11.5 percent year- to-date (YTD) for inbound international visitors. The Chinese source market jumped remarkably by 49.2 percent, followed by Thailand at 14.9 percent. This upward trend, however, is likely to be impacted to a certain extent by the Zika outbreak in August which has prompted a few countries to issue advisories warning travellers of the dangers of the mosquito-transmitted disease.
Australia and New Zealand
There were 17 transactions in Australia, totalling approximately A$943.2 million (US$716.4 million) this quarter, compared to 16 in the same period last year. In terms of volume, however, there was a remarkable increase from A$381.2 million (US$282.3 million) recorded in Q3/2015 compared to this quarter.
One recent notable sale was that of Novotel Melbourne on Collins from LaSalle Investment to Singapore- listed Frasers Hospitality Trust for A$237 million (US$ 178.7 million), or A$623,684 (US$470,290) per key. The purchase was part of the Trust’s plan to grow its hotel portfolio. Melbourne’s hospitality sector has been given the boost to grow, driven by the completion of Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 4, the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and development of several projects such as the Docklands and Fishermans’ Bend. Tourism Australia expects total visitor nights in the state of Victoria to grow at an average of between 4.0% and 4.6 percent for the next three years.
So far this year, the Australia market has been resilient and attractive for overseas investors due to its currency uctuations which has led to an increase in inbound travellers and, consequently, hotel performance.
New Zealand has captured a fair amount of interest from investors so far this year. Investment volume for the rst three quarters of this year totalled NZ$236.4 million from 11 transactions. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise released a report this year pointing out the shortage of hotel rooms in the country and highlighted investment opportunities to cope with this shortfall, especially in key cities such as Auckland, Queenstown, Rotorua and Christchurch. It also reported that in 2015, Auckland and Queenstown had consistently high occupancy rates of above 80 percent throughout the year, while Rotorua and Christchurch had seasonal peaks of also above 80%. Based on historical preferences, upscale and luxury rooms are expected to have a strong demand.
In recent years, New Zealand has seen remarkable growth in international visitor arrivals, rising 9.6 percent for full-year 2015; growth for the eight years prior to this did not rise above 6.0 percent. For 2016 YTD July, international visitor arrivals grew an impressive 11.2 percent. 
 
Simon Smith is senior director, Research and Consultancy, Hong Kong Savills and can be contacted <a href="https://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Australian hotel market resilient, attractive for overseas investors: Savills

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SPONSORED POST 
Visitors add an average of 3 percent to a city’s population every night, posing significant opportunities for hotel, leisure and retail operators, according to the latest <a href="https://pdf.euro.savills.co.uk/global-research/12-cities-h2-2016---visitors.pdf" target="_blank">Savills 12 Cities Report H2/2016</a>. 
The report found that around 901 million domestic and overseas visitors were attracted to the twelve cities examined during 2015. They spent a total of 1.05 billion nights in hotels or other guest accommodation. In some cases, such as New York and London, the visitor populations were equivalent of another city.
<a href="/images/2016/11/14/The%20size%20of%20the%20visitor%20city.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/11/14/The%20size%20of%20the%20visitor%20city.jpg" alt="">
 
Visitor breakdown – who is visiting and why? According to the report, the split between domestic and overseas visitors varies widely between cities. In most, especially those with vast hinterlands such as USA, China, Australia and Russia, more visitors come from the home country. With a relatively high number of domestic visitors (9.20 million), Sydney is also experiencing a growth in international visitors (3.75 million) underpinned by strong holiday and education segments. London, with a relatively small UK hinterland, has the highest number of overseas overnight visitors (20 million) but fewer domestic visitors (13 million). View the full domestic/international visitor breakdown in the <a href="https://pdf.euro.savills.co.uk/global-research/12-cities-h2-2016---visitors.pdf" target="_blank">Savills 12 Cities Report</a>. 
It’s easy to assume that the attraction of global cities is all the history, buildings, culture, entertainment, lifestyle and leisure that they offer, and that it is tourists who make up most of their visitors. On average, 77 percent of international visitors to the cities in the Savills 12 Cities Report are there for leisure, tourism and reasons other than business, such as meeting up with friends and relatives.
Shanghai has a large percentage of international business visitors (55 percent) as it is not a prominent international leisure destination, especially compared to cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, which have a large proportion of tourists and other types of visitors seeking sunshine and lifestyle experiences. 
<a href="/images/2016/11/14/thumbnail_International%20Overnight%20Visitors.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/11/14/thumbnail_International%20Overnight%20Visitors.jpg" alt=""> 
Impact on the hotel, leisure and retail industries
Across Savills 12 cities, international overnight visitors spend a total of US$132.6 billion a year when they visit, 30 percent of it on accommodation. In this way, city visitors are participating in the real estate markets of cities every time they pay their hotel bill. This is also true of retail, food and beverage spend, which helps create demand for space and to pay the rent on these premises. They also support industries outside of the hospitality sector, such as airports.
George Nicholas, Global Head of Hotels at Savills, comments: “As global tourism continues to rise, demand for bed space in many city markets is now outstripping supply. For example, Tokyo has had an influx of tourists from China following the relaxation of Visa requirements and the city now has a chronic shortage of rooms, while in London, the fall in the value of the Sterling is attracting visitors who previously thought the UK’s capital too expensive. The net result of this is that we’re seeing a shift in where investor appetite for hotel assets and platforms stems from, with Asian capital in particular coming to the fore in Europe over the past twelve months.” Yolande Barnes, Director of Savills World Research, adds: “It’s not just the market for hotels and hotel land upon which international visitors have an impact. Across nine top global cities including New York, London and Paris, annual food and beverage spend by international visitors totals at least US$21 billion a year and shopping accounts for US$38 billion. Restaurants, bars, cafes and shops are significantly impacted by these revenue inflows, so ensuring that there is enough space to accommodate visitors is therefore not just imperative for the hotels sector, but also for the wider city economy.”
To learn more about the latest trends in world real estate, visitor cities and economic outlook, view <a href="https://pdf.euro.savills.co.uk/global-research/12-cities-h2-2016---visitors.pdf" target="_blank">Savills 12 Cities Report H2/2016</a>.
Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="https://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Swelling visitor numbers pose opportunities for global cities

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Hoteliers the Grove family have bought back The Indian Ocean Hotel in Western Australia’s Scarborough from the receivers, shortly after it was put up for sale.
The family acquired it for an undisclosed sum, but it had been offered for about $18 million on a 7 percent yield when first put on the market more than a year ago, according to a report in The Australian Financial Review. 
The 59-room, 3.5-star hotel on Hastings Street in the city's north-western suburbs was being marketed by CBRE Hotels’ Ryan McGinnity and David Kennedy under instruction from the receivers and managers appointed, HLB Mann Judd (Insolvency WA). 
The marketing campaign closed on May 12.
The five-level, 59-room hotel includes Indi Bar and Bistro, and has hosted some of Perth’s best live music over the past two decades, including Rolling Stones, The Waifs, John Butler and Dave Hole.  
The hotel, built in 1972, was placed in the hands of receivers in April after the death of majority owner Bill Grove, said the AFR report. 
It was originally called the White Sands Hotel. The Grove family took over as managers in 1985 and renamed it the Indian Ocean Hotel in 1990.
Hotel owner Andrew Grove and CBRE’s selling agents declined comment to the AFR, but the paper cited a source close to the family as saying that "The property and business is now back in the hands of the family who have owned the property for over 30 years” and they are “excited to be in control of the business and property again”.
Located within the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authorities’ $57.4 million Scarborough Redevelopment Area, the Indian Ocean Hotel offers potential for future development, with a residential 160 zoning and additional special use as hotel. 
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