The final apartments in the most recently completed new development in Balwyn present some of the largest and most exclusive ever delivered in one of Melbourne’s most established and character-rich neighbourhoods.

Boutique developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wulff-projects">Wulff Projects</a>,&nbsp;alongside partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pga-group">PGA Group</a>, has just finished <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/threadneedle-balwyn-1-5-threadneedle-street-balwyn-vic-3103">Threadneedle</a>, 17 home-sized residences designed completely for the owner-occupier.

Named after its location on Threadneedle Street, the new project has been shaped by the heritage fabric of Balwyn. It offers two low-rise buildings of eight and nine apartments respectively, designed to emulate traditional standalone homes.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355582]

John Scaramuzzino, Director at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, explains the design intention.

“Given the quiet residential character of the street with many homes dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, we approached Threadneedle wanting to appear less as a collection of apartments and more as a traditional residence. This led to creating not one but two buildings that could “breathe” with larger garden-based apartments functioning more like small homes.”

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The north-facing residences are nestled among extensive landscaped gardens by Ben Scott Garden Design, with over one-third of the site dedicated to greenery. The resulting setting is one of calm seclusion, where architecture and landscape work in tandem to offer immediate liveability.

With construction now complete, the final apartments include a top-floor, single-level penthouse residence priced from $2.8 million. This home offers three bedrooms, a dedicated study, two bathrooms plus powder room, and three car spaces with an oversized storage room.&nbsp;

Interiors prioritise spatial comfort and natural light, with three-metre-high ceilings, oversized internal doors and a full-width terrace oriented to the north, east and west.&nbsp;

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Floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows ensure thermal performance across seasons, supported by automated external blinds, zoned heating and cooling, and a fireplace for added ambiance.

Each apartment has been individually designed to maximise privacy and garden outlooks. Kitchens combine refined finishes with practical considerations: stone benchtops, butler’s pantry, full-height joinery and concealed rangehoods.&nbsp;

The inclusion of dedicated home offices responds to contemporary living patterns, while bathrooms feature sculptural bathtubs and brushed nickel fixtures.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27816 project_image_fid=355590]

Threadneedle also integrates best-practice sustainability measures, achieving a 7 Star average NatHERS rating. Initiatives include solar PV systems, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and irrigation, and high-performing building insulation. These elements enhance daily comfort while reducing ongoing maintenance and energy demand.

"We believe Threadneedle sets a new standard of design excellence and building quality for Balwyn,"&nbsp;Scaramuzzino added.

"It’s an architectural response we’re particularly proud of, and one we’re sure residents will be equally proud to call home."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=27816]

Staff Writer

Final homes remaining as Threadneedle, Balwyn completes construction

Joel Robinson

Sydney's top 15 new apartments developments set to launch in 2026

Developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dasco-australia">DASCO</a> has pushed beyond the now-standard inclusions of rooftop pools and landscaped podiums at its recently launched new Epping project, Senso.

It has laid out over 4,000 sqm of resident-only amenity in a move designed to compete directly with low-density housing on livability, not just density. The result is a development that supports genuine daily use through purposeful spaces distributed across its five-building, 479-apartment precinct.

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Two rooftop pools form the anchor of Senso. One is a 27-metre lap pool adjoining a heated spa, designed for everyday fitness rather than just summer leisure. The second sits on a lower podium, allowing different buildings to share in vertical access and reducing crowding during peak times.

It is the secondary spaces that start to distinguish Senso from other large-scale suburban projects. A rooftop cinema is integrated into a landscaped terrace, offering open-air screenings with natural ventilation and passive cooling.&nbsp;

The inclusion of a “sensory walk”, an elevated boardwalk that threads through the site, suggests a rare investment in non-commercial, non-essential amenity: space for quiet movement that doesn’t double as access or traffic circulation.

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The gym and wellness centre, often relegated to a small ground-floor room in many builds, takes on more substance here. Residents have access to a fully equipped gym, as well as outdoor yoga areas and meditative zones that integrate greenery and natural light.&nbsp;

The Club Lounge is similarly designed to support multiple use cases, with a private dining terrace, kitchenette, workspace, and lockable wine storage. These aren’t superficial additions; their scale and spatial allocation indicate serious intent for frequent resident use.

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Importantly, Senso’s amenities are embedded within a site that spans more than 10,000 sqm, allowing for better separation between spaces and reduced noise spillover, a critical but often overlooked factor in high-density developments. This spatial generosity also enables multiple alfresco kitchens and communal terraces without compromising individual privacy or usable space.

While many developments make claims about lifestyle, few back it with this level of built infrastructure. Senso’s mix of dedicated fitness, wellness, social and passive green spaces suggests a conscious response to the post-pandemic shift in housing expectations, especially among owner-occupiers.&nbsp;

DASCO is one of several leading developers who have taken out Resilience Insurance's Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing buyers with a 10-year structural and waterproofing warranty, and giving them the ultimate peace of mind.

Senso is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134954]

The outdoor amenities elevating life at Senso, Epping

Following the proposal by the Minns Labor Government to rezone Parramatta Road to create up to 8,000 new homes, prominent developer Ceerose has gone to the NSW Gov to increase the density of its new mixed-use residential building in Leichhardt.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/ceerose">Ceerose</a>, founded by Edward Doueihi nearly three decades ago, has filed plans for 154 apartments above ground-floor retail at 307-315 Parramatta Road, a key corner site near Norton Street, the main high street strip in Leichhardt.

It's an upsize from the previously approved scheme of 63 apartments across a seven-storey building.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba1ae75b-5f08-43fb-b8d5-3de6d9f6ef71" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.39%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yA3hBBLPH4ev7MsAE0_hieXeqiFqBUb7" />

The project is being advanced through the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway, with concurrent rezoning sought to facilitate the proposal. The 10-storey development would rise over a four-level basement and deliver two retail tenancies, one a larger-format offering and the other a smaller “hole in the wall” space, addressing the Parramatta Road frontage. 21 of the apartments are dedicated as affordable housing.

According to the Urban Design Report by Architecture AND, the scheme includes a podium and tower configuration, with a fine-grain, two-storey parapet street wall that references the traditional shopfront rhythm along the corridor. “An elegant tower form is proposed, combined with a characterful two storey frontage... articulating it as two related buildings, providing consistency with the rhythm and grain of Parramatta Road,” the report notes.

The residential component is split across two slender towers set back from the street edge, a design move aimed at preserving solar access and reducing perceived bulk. This massing strategy also seeks to improve residential amenity by focusing scale toward the quieter northern interface, away from Parramatta Road’s noise and pollution.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="347f2f8f-5d36-4388-b40a-2e77380b9c19" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.02%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=xvyUE2ujT1lzivXTo.mHBJFF4SmfgLtz" />

Architecture AND has worked with Ceerose on previous Inner West projects, and cites a deep familiarity with the local character. Their design draws heavily on context, heritage, and sunlight access considerations, and engages with the Inner West Council’s “Our Fairer Future” strategic planning framework.

The site spans 2,712 sqm and is located near key intersections with Catherine Street, Hay Street, and Redmond Street. It adjoins a public carpark to the north and is within walking distance of Stanmore and Petersham stations. It is also flagged in state and local planning strategies, including the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, as a suitable candidate for increased density.

Ceerose recently completed The Alex Collective on McEvoy Street in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay.

The Parramatta Road corridor is coming to life with the proposed rezoning which is serviced by a significant number of bus, light rail and train routes.

Deicorp is progressing with its $1.8 billion <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> precinct on Parramatta Road in Five Dock, as is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/toga-to-push-on-with-five-dock-mixed-use-masterplan">TOGA further down the street</a>. Those two projects alone will bring nearly 2,000 new homes to Parramatta Road.

First look: Ceerose plots mixed-use Leichhardt development on Parramatta Road

North Sydney's landmark 'SBS Building' on Alfred Street is set to be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use residential tower in the booming North Sydney.

Commercial property group FiveX is behind the plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/275-alfred-street-north-north-sydney-nsw-2060">39-storey tower</a>, the latest project to advance under the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

They are proposing 184 apartments above retail spaces, which will replace the existing 20-storey commercial building. FiveX was set up more than five decades ago by Joshua and Marko Berger. It is currently led by Joshua's son Lesli.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower at 275 Alfred Street, North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2efa0980-53fa-4cca-9f9e-9c3c845d4746" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29%20%281%29_0.png?VersionId=y_YyPMq3NQLfYRs84pP4os9UgWiMLp75" />

According to the Architectural Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">FJC Studio</a>, the slender tower form has been deliberately designed to respect the site's transitional setting at the southern gateway to the North Sydney CBD, where high-rise towers give way to lower-scale residential precincts.

"The slender tower form and articulated podium establish a respectful relationship with nearby heritage and low rise buildings, including the Whaling Road Heritage Conservation Area,” the architecture firm noted, adding that the tower “completes a missing link in the urban fabric” while enhancing the Alfred Street streetscape.

The proposed building will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with 15 percent of the gross residential floor area allocated as affordable housing. There is an agreement already in place that those apartments will be managed by Evolve Housing.

The project aligns with broader state housing objectives, including the National Housing Accord target of delivering 1.2 million new homes by 2029. The Scoping Report filed with the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) suggests the site "presents no impediments to rapid delivery,” with construction able to commence within 12 months of receiving consent.

North Sydney has been one of the most popular suburbs in Sydney for new and off the plan apartment development, but hasn't had the supply to keep up with demand, until recently.

AURA by Aqualand was, for a long time, the only off the plan apartment building on the market. That completed last year, and has sold the majority of its 386 luxury apartments. Recently ALAND launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-173-179-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> on the same street, selling over $100 million within just a few hours of its launch, while developer CASA also launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-mclaren-north-sydney-45-mclaren-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The McLaren</a>&nbsp;in the same precinct.

First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney

Joint Venture

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The insurance giant Australian Unity has partnered with venture capital firm Taronga Ventures to promote growth within the real estate sector through an innovation program called RealTechX.
Australian Unity joins core real estate partners Dexus, LendLease, ISPT and PGIM who will collaborate with emerging real estate technology companies in a bid to help Australia’s $182 billion real estate sector prepare for the next phase of industry evolution. 
RealTechX is a program aimed at emerging technology businesses in the real estate and wider built environment sector to achieve “rapid and sustained growth.”
It seeks to connect a network of business, education and government leaders across the real estate sector.
Mark Pratt, Australian Unity’s executive general manager of property, said collaboration and strong relationships were key to Australian Unity’s track record of delivering for investors through real estate investments.  
“We are pleased to be involved with RealTechX, not only to ensure Australian Unity is on the forefront of upcoming real estate technology, but to help mentor the next generation in the industry and provide new and innovative solutions in the property sector. 
“At Australian Unity, we see private capital as critical to funding social infrastructure and other assets that deliver the services our communities need while providing investors with consistent returns.
“Over the last 20 years, Australian Unity's property team has created opportunities for both large institutions and retail investors to access the development of vital social infrastructure services as part of a diversified property investment portfolio,” Pratt said.  
Jonathan Hannam, managing partner of Taronga Ventures, said Australian Unity’s track record in social infrastructure investments sees it well placed to support RealTechX. 
“We are delighted to have Australian Unity as a partner in RealTechX. With its diverse portfolio and focus on alternative asset classes, we will have a broader ecosystem that will allow us to invest in a more diverse group of emerging businesses – across aged care to medical and hospitals.
RealTechX’s first cohort of 10 market-ready technology businesses will be announced in December.
 
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Australian Unity partners with Taronga Ventures on real tech growth program, RealTechX

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Joint venture, LEPC9, has lodged its first development application within its master plan-approved site, currently the Nine Network’s headquarters in Willoughby on Sydney’s lower north shore.
The DA includes provision for 40 apartments and associated parking as well as the creation of a public piazza at the corner of Scott Street and Artarmon Road. 
It is being designed by architects of CHROFI, and <a href="/expert-insights/investing/channel-nines-willoughby-hq-site-comes-to-market">the development is being offered to market</a>.
The site received concept approval earlier this year in January 2019 for 460 apartments across ten mid-rise buildings; public piazzas and an extensive publicly accessible open green space.
The DA submission by LEPC9 is the next stage of the approval process while negotiations progress with a number of parties from the expressions of interest process. 
It is projected that construction will commence in 2021.
In the erstwhile Channel Nine will continue to lease the site until a later point next year. 
Colliers International National Director, Development Sites, Residential, Guillaume Volz said despite contrary speculation in the media, demand for the site has intensified and negotiations are continuing with parties on the site well over $220 million. 
“It is a complex project/site and this has resulted in protracted negotiations as parties continue to develop their understanding of this significant trophy site,"
“Market drivers such as the further interest rate cut to 1 per cent by RBA as well as signs of the Sydney market recovering and gearing up for the next cycle, have contributed to the continued strong interest in the site,”Mr Volz concluded.
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Stage 2 DA lodged for Channel Nine's Willoughby headquarters

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Construction firm Built has teamed up with Japanese giant Obayashi Corporation for large-scale construction work in Australia, with the JV chosen as preferred contractor for the $200 million construction of the $350 million redevelopment of the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne CBD for the Halim Group.
Brett Mason, Built managing director, said the JV deal gives Built gives us further scale and capacity to compete for larger construction projects of A$200 million and above,
“In addition, we will be combining our local construction expertise and knowledge with Obayashi’s global experience, including accessing Obayashi’s Technical Research Institute in Tokyo - an R&amp;D facility dedicated to the development of construction-related technologies - in line with our vision to drive further innovation in the construction sector," he said.
“I am also pleased to announce that for its first project, our joint venture has been selected as preferred contractor for the circa A$200 million construction of the A$350 million redevelopment of the historic Hotel Windsor in Melbourne CBD for the Halim Group. 
"Built’s expertise in sensitive heritage projects and track record in luxury hotel construction were key to our success, with works on the 135 year old hotel to include a complex heritage refurbishment and construction of a new tower wing. Construction works are anticipated to commence onsite in the first quarter of 2017 to deliver a six star addition to Melbourne’s luxury hotel sector in 2019. 
Toru Shiraishi, representative director, president of Obayashi Corporation,  said Obayashi Corporation has been seeking to expand our business platforms in Oceania in addition to our existing market base in South East Asia and in North America. 
"Under this agreement, we will combine Built’s local construction expertise and network, and the knowledge of our global experience and financial strengths to create further opportunities to expand the business operations of both companies in Australia. We very much look forward to working with everyone at Built as we develop this exciting partnership.”
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Built signs JV with Obayashi Corporation, developing Melbourne's Hotel Windsor

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Barry Plant, head of the Victorian estate agency that bears his name and which is in talks with LJ Hooker about creating a joint venture company, said the Melbourne trust fund missing millions matter would not affect their ongoing talks. 
It was revealed last month in The Australian Financial Review that LJ Hooker and Victorian real estate agency Barry Plant were in the final stages of talks about creating a joint venture company.
The two businesses account for 6.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively of the national volume of real estate sales.
LJ Hooker has 700 franchises in Australia and New Zealand.
Barry Plant has 80 franchised offices in Victoria – with an 11.5 per cent state market share by volume.
It also has two offices in Gold Coast and Adelaide.
Any joint venture that would keep the two brands distinct.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Barry Plant says LJH talks will continue

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 <img src="/images/2015/12/2/Holdencapital_banner.jpg" alt="" width="551" height="116">
SPONSORED POST
Just what are the nine must-ask questions you nee to consider before you enter a joint venture?
1. “Needs V Wants?” – A successful Joint Venture or “JV” is typically formed on the basis that the JV parties are contributing complimentary skills and or value to the alliance. The question for the Developer to ask himself is are the skills/value that the other party brings to the deal i) needed; and ii) cannot be better satisfied by other means such as paying an external consultant. A JV partner generally comes at a price such as an agreed profit share based on the contributions each party makes to the “Project”, which results in the Developer giving away a large percentage of his profits. 
2. Trust – What do you know about the party/ies you are about to enter into a JV with? Have you done business with them previously or do you know other Developers who have and if so, what was the outcome? How did they perform against initial expectations? Past performances can provide you with a valuable indication of what to expect in terms of behaviour, work ethic, and integrity. Its just as important to undertake thorough due diligence on a potential JV partner as it is on the metrics of the project. 
3. Incorporated or Contractual JV? – There are pros and cons for both, so its important to understand the features of each and decide which best suits the participants and the project. Appropriate legal and taxation advice upfront is strongly recommended; i.e. the Corporations Law allows parties to look behind the corporate structure of an incorporated JV and attach liability to individuals. On the positive side, the transfer of an interest in an incorporated JV can be done via a simple transfer of shares, which is useful where a JV evolves and needs to take on a different shape from that first envisioned. A contractual JV may be a quicker and simpler structure to establish, but documenting it can still be quite cumbersome. There are potential tax benefits in a Contractual JV allowing tax losses to be affectively offset against income outside the JV, while an Incorporated JV quarantines them within the incorporated entity. Again, it is recommended that the parties seek independent legal and taxation advice having regard to their respective interests, prior to establishing the JV.   
4. Decision Making – It is important to understand and agree how key decisions will be made. In some JV’s decisions will be made by one party only (where the other parties are considered “silent partners”), whereas in most JV arrangements, decisions are made jointly. It is important to establish from the outset, who will be responsible for making key decisions that affect the project.
5. Who will do what? -  a simple way to determine each parties responsibilities is to list the tasks/responsibilities that need to be completed throughout the development process and assign a lead role and a peer review role. A suggested way to simplify this is detailed below: 
<a href="/images/2015/12/2/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-02%20at%202.17.58%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/12/2/Screen%20Shot%202015-12-02%20at%202.17.58%20PM.png" alt="">
This is obviously a simplified list, but by allocating responsibility for the macro tasks, that party is then responsible for allocating the appropriate sub-tasks with peer reviews undertaken by the secondary party to ensure compliance as a double check.
6. Tracking Performance – From the outset it is important to establish clear performance targets for all JV parties and then ensure that these measures are tracked and reported. Regular meetings between the JV parties should be scheduled and performance against the agreed measures should be discussed to ensure the project remains satisfactorily on track. Identifying poor performance early and acting to resolve any issues is critical to the projects success.      
7.Profit sharing – It is critical that the distribution of profits and risks borne fairly represent the contributions made by each party based on their contributions - skills and financial. These contributions can change over the life of a JV and it is therefore important that there are agreed mechanisms to allow changes to the profit distributions to reflect those changes. Typically, this occurs where there is a requirement for subsequent equity contributions, particularly where only one party has the capacity or will to participate. The agreement should contemplate this and provide for appropriate adjustments to entitlements to reflect the change in contributions/risk. Poorly structured agreements inevitably result in a dispute situation and if a party is not adequately incentivised, this could impact their performance and in turn the project success. 
8.Disputes – All agreements should include appropriate dispute resolution clauses to ensure the project is not stalled where an impasse is reached on key issues. To avoid the cost in time and money, it is important to clearly articulate the dispute resolution procedures and most good JV Agreements will include a suite of tailored clauses. Typically, they will provide for a number of pre-agreed outcomes but also where a critical dispute cannot be resolved using those clauses; the agreement will should either have a deadlock or mediation process. Ultimately, if mediation fails it could result in expensive litigation, which is to be avoided at all cost. 
9.Ending a JV arrangement – Unlike a “partnership” a JV is not a legal entity and is typically an agreement between two or more parties to form a strategic alliance for the purpose of a single or specific number of projects. Therefore the dissolution of a JV is reasonably straightforward, doesn’t typically require any further legal documentation and will end on completion of the project/s. This is why JV’s are quite common in property development as they can be formed for the purpose of a single project, should contemplate various exit solutions to deal with situations where the project fails meet the original expectation and allow for the JV parties to move on at completion. 
This article was written by Dan Holden of HoldenCAPITAL, who are a bespoke construction finance firm, they arrange construction finance and invest in projects through their equity fund, Queen Street INVEST. To discuss your project finance requirement please call (07) 3171 4200 or visit HoldenCAPITAL <a href="https://www.holdencapital.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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