One of the primary characteristics of a university campus is its location in high-amenity, well-connected suburbs, as it caters to the thousands of students who walk through its doors every day.

It’s this enviable central location that makes Hamton’s newest neighbourhood so appealing to discerning buyers. The 1.6-hectare site was formerly home to a University of Melbourne campus.

This relocation paved the way for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hamton">Hamton</a>, best known for their $3 billion joint venture development Moonee Valley Park, a vibrant new residential community emerging around the Moonee Valley Racecourse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327680]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/scotch-hill-gardens-hawthorn-147-robinson-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Scotch Hill Gardens</a> benefits from excellent transport connections and local amenities, further enhanced by the revitalisation of Bills Street delivered as part of the development. Thanks to its history as a university campus, the site is within five minutes of Glenferrie and Auburn Villages and 10 minutes to Kooyong Station.

In addition, the site lies within the prestigious Scotch Hill catchment, which includes highly sought-after educational institutions such as Scotch College, Bialik, and Auburn Primary and Auburn High. This makes it an attractive location for both young families and working professionals.

Understanding that the location would appeal to owner-occupiers, particularly rightsizers and downsizers, Hamton focused on creating a collection of residences tailored to this demographic. The design prioritised community over density, with a series of low-rise buildings nestled within nature.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327652]

The development retains 77 established trees on the site and will add a further 151, creating a unique topography visible from the upper levels of the building. A collaboration between placemaking specialists Woods Bagot and landscape architect Tract, the design dedicates over 40 percent of the 1.6-hectare site to landscaped green open space, seamlessly woven between the low-rise buildings.

Landscaping subtly defines boundaries between public and private zones, ensuring a harmonious blend of spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327686]

Inspired by nature, the masterplan reflects the organic formations of lily pads on a pond, discreet yet interconnected, sitting lightly within their context. Following the principles of “nature-based cities,” the site integrates nature, amenity, wellness, and community.

This commitment to nature complements the already well-established landscape nearby. Adjacent to Gardiners Creek, the site offers both recreational and ecological benefits, while the Yarra River trails, Patterson Reserve, and Hawthorn Velodrome, further enhance the area’s outdoor amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327694]

Residents will have access to a range of facilities, including a bathhouse with wellness amenities, a gym, co-working spaces, and communal dining and lounge areas.

Hamton will announce a builder in the coming months. Demolition of the old Campus is underway with construction on the first stage, anticipated to commence early 2026.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149097]

Joel Robinson

Scotch Hill Gardens, a new life for the former University of Melbourne Hawthorn Campus

Brisbane-based developer Red &amp; Co. is venturing into the Gold Coast apartment market, spending $8 million on a vacant site in Varsity Lake.

The plan is to developer 156 apartments on the 2,857sqm, 22 Lake Street site, near Varsity Central Park.

Colliers Queensland Residential Development Sites Director Troy Linnane said Colliers had been &nbsp;working closely with Red &amp; Co. to help them secure their first Gold Coast site, with this site offering a great opportunity due to its location and existing approval.&nbsp;

“This off-market transaction highlights the value of strong market knowledge and relationships, we were able to align the right buyer with the right site given the relationships we have with many active &nbsp;developers seeking sites across the SEQ market,” Linnane said.&nbsp;

“Those groups with in-house construction capability or strong builder alliances are leading market activity as they are best positioned to deliver projects in the current market."

Linnane said with&nbsp;confidence strengthening in 2025, they are seeing increased competition for prime development sites.

“Developers are actively seeking well-located sites, to take advantage of the under supply of &nbsp;apartment stock and the significant uplift in revenues due to strong buyer demand."

<img alt="22 Lake St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fcd9176e-4e38-4519-a868-0748419c1d2b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22_Lake_Street_001.jpg?VersionId=Z7tUSkVLqv8qf.JTyMXmzasxvudP_u2p" />

Colliers Queensland Residential Site Sales Executive Jackson Robinson said the transaction reflected confidence in the market and increasing demand for well-located, DA-approved sites to develop into &nbsp;housing.&nbsp;

“Red &amp; Co. recognised the depth of unmet demand for well-priced apartment stock on the Gold &nbsp;Coast, particularly in sought-after suburbs like Varsity Lakes, which offers excellent connectivity, expansive views and close proximity to major employment and education hubs,” Robinson said.&nbsp;

There will be a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with views over&nbsp;Lake Orr and out to Burleigh Headland and the Hinterland, with additional outlooks north towards the Broadbeach skyline.&nbsp;

Red &amp; Co., led by co-founders Keiran Foster and David Laverty, have previously completed several developments across Brisbane.

Red & Co.’s first acquisition on the Gold Coast demonstrates increasing  confidence in the Gold Coast market

Red & Co. plots new Varsity Lake apartments

There’s no slowing down Gold Coast builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/immerse-projects">Immerse Projects</a>.

Led by construction industry veteran John Kearney, the developer has made its move into the Brisbane apartment market, securing a prime site on Sylvan Road in Toowong.

It’s a location filled with nostalgia for Kearney, who studied at the nearby University of Queensland.

"It feels like a full circle moment," Kearney told Apartments.com.au.&nbsp;

“I spent many nights at the Regatta Hotel just down the road — as have most people in Brisbane. It’s one of the city’s most well-known hotels, and with several cafes, restaurants, and a CityCat stop nearby, it’s become an even more attractive place to live.”

Kearney describes Toowong as a suburb with real depth.

"The suburb attracts everyone, from students to retirees, and that's what makes it interesting."

He also noted the opportunity to take advantage of significant view corridors from the new development site: across Toowong Memorial Park, north to the city, and east along the Brisbane River.

CBRE’s Will Carman and John Nucifora brokered the sale of the 1,760 sqm site, citing strong demand for strategically located development opportunities in Brisbane’s inner suburbs.

"Its proximity to transport, retail, and educational facilities made it an opportunity of strong interest to the broader development community," Carman said.

<img alt="22-24 Sylvan Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49eb466f-69dc-4790-8d50-5173d0cf104a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22-24%20Sylvan%20%20Rd%20Toowong_Markups.jpg?VersionId=u4_IGzpYLPFfAZSsgCZynov3bm7umwJ." />

Nucifora said the acquisition reflects confidence in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a>, and more broadly Brisbane, as a market of strength for integrated builder developer groups.

"Those with an integrated model, or with strong existing relationships with builders have continued to be at the forefront of development acquisitions over the past two-year period."

Kearney has long operated Greyburn Constructions, and recently expanded into multi-residential development, with great success. They've delivered a new project in Kirra, and they're currently working towards completion at&nbsp;Ombre Robina. Then they have a new project in Kirra, on Haig Street.

They will submit a development application for Toowong later this year.&nbsp;

It’s a location filled with nostalgia for Kearney, who studied at the nearby University of Queensland.



First look: Immerse Projects moves into Brisbane apartment market with Toowong site acquisition

A track record of delivering new projects not just across the Sunshine Coast, but in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> specifically, gave builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG) all the IP needed to make Bask even more refined.&nbsp;

After completing Zinc Bokarina last year - positioned directly adjacent to Bask - GVG leveraged years of feedback from original purchasers and current residents, enabled by its community-focused approach and ongoing engagement.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]

The feedback pointed to two clear themes: larger apartments with more bedrooms, and amenity suited to the active downsizer.

GVG then designed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask</a> - a collection of one to four-bedroom apartments - tailored to the end user: local downsizers or those seeking more spacious holiday homes than a compact getaway by the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333361]

A pool was essential, but a lap pool wasn’t. Instead, GVG designed a heated plunge pool, ideal for a refreshing dip. Key to the amenity offering were shared spaces designed to foster community connection. These include shaded garden areas with barbecue facilities, a firepit zone, and a communal herb and vegetable garden.&nbsp;

There’s also a fully equipped gym, designed specifically for the lifestyle exerciser.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333365]

Another key insight was the desire not just for pet-friendly living - but for a development that embraces it. GVG listened and installed a dedicated dog wash bay, perfect for rinsing off after a trip to the dog-friendly Bokarina Beach, just 250 metres from Bask's front door.

Having already helped establish a vibrant lifestyle precinct with retail and amenity at Zinc, GVG is now expanding the offering with more street-level retail, set to complement the existing restaurants, wine bars, convenience, and specialty stores in the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333362]

Bask represents the final new residential offering in the Bokarina Beach precinct. The two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, have been cleverly designed so that every apartment captures glimpses of either the Pacific Ocean, Lake Kawana, or the Glass House Mountains.&nbsp;

Construction is already underway, with GVG expecting residents to move in by summer 2026/27.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=141609]

How GVG is designing for the active downsizer at Bask Bokarina

With completion now on the horizon, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-queensbridge-building-southbank-90-queensbridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The Queensbridge Building</a> in Southbank is beginning to reveal the depth of its amenity and residential design offering ahead of a planned move-in from late 2025.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/time-place">Time &amp; Place</a> in partnership with MaxCap Group and construction giant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, the 65-level tower recently topped out at 208 metres, marking a major milestone for the precinct-shaping project.&nbsp;

Once complete, the development will deliver 350 apartments and a 188-room boutique hotel as part of the Collection by TFE Hotels.

We recently visited The Queensbridge display suite, and a recently completed display apartment within the building, and spoke to Time &amp; Place Sales Director, James Herbert, to find out more about the project.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZLV_4kRyuj0?si=ff-i-yjmcdRHQ3Hh" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Herbert says there are two key points of difference with The Queensbridge.

"The first we call 'modern nostalgia', or the feeling of home. It is one of the reasons we appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/flack-studio">Flack Studio</a> to handle the interiors. We studied some of Flack's most famous residential homes, and we've created a series of design moments, from the edge of the island bench to the door hardware and the materiality of the homes."

Apartments range from one to three bedrooms, with current pricing starting from $632,000. Most one-bedroom layouts include integrated study nooks, while select two and three-bedroom configurations feature dual bathrooms and generous storage solutions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1504 project_image_fid=272073]

Herbert says the second key point of difference is their&nbsp;commitment to community and experience.

"That's one of the reasons why we took our common amenity spaces and we've brought them together in a concept we call Queensbridge Clubhouse.

"We have all of the typical common amenity facilities you would see in any luxury hotel or building throughout the world like a swimming pool, steam room, gym, and outdoor spaces, but we've also got an amazing co-working space,&nbsp;a private izakaya, and a ground-floor dining space."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1504 project_image_fid=272090]

Herbert says the community experience was about bringing&nbsp;people together, so Time &amp; Place has built a bespoke app, and they're appointing an experienced director, to manage the spaces.

"We believe living in the urban environment in a building like this, is about an idea of togetherness, and accessing the very best that Melbourne has to offer."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1504 project_image_fid=272097]

Positioned at 90 Queens Bridge Street, The Queensbridge Building benefits from its location at the confluence of Melbourne CBD, South Melbourne, the Yarra River, and the city’s Arts Precinct.&nbsp;

Residents will be within a 15-minute walk of over a dozen green spaces, world-class sports and cultural venues, and South Melbourne Market

The inclusion of the Hannah St. Hotel adjacent to the residential lobby also introduces a unique layer of amenity, providing additional hospitality experiences that extend the lifestyle value of the precinct.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1504]

Inside The Queensbridge Building: Apartments.com.au Video Spotlight

Lavender Bay

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The newly appointed NSW Governor Margaret Beazley has sold her Lavender Bay family home.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-lavender+bay-131565610" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bay View Street</a> property had a price guide of $11.5 million.
Beazley bought it in 1989 for $1.3 million.
There were 45 inspections in the first week.
<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/2019/8/1/lavendar%20bay2.jpg" alt="">
The elevated family home comes with panoramic views of the waters, Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
It comprises five bedrooms, modern gas kitchen, lounge, dining room, library, and court gardens.
<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/2019/8/1/lavendar%20bay3.jpg" alt="">
It's just a stroll to McMahons Point Village with boutiques, restaurants and bars, Lavender Bay Ferry, buses, and North Sydney Station. 
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NSW Governor Margaret Beazley sells Lavender Bay home

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A new build home in Lavender Bay has been sold.
The property at 2 Bay View Street was sold at a private auction where bidding kicked off at $9.5 million.
It is understood to have sold at considerably below the original $13 million to $14 million price guide set on the property when it came to market last month.
A curved staircase over three levels features a customised cascading Buster + Punch chandelier.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/3/22/image7%201.png" alt="">
The Bay View Street home, one of 20 on the dress circle, sits on the high side of the street with panoramic views of the Opera House, framed by the Harbour Bridge.
Designed by Architecture Saville Isaacs, the recently completed home has interiors by Linda Morrice, the wife of the vendor, Ian Morrice, best known as heading Metcash.
There are four bedrooms, including a master suite with ensuite, balcony and bespoke dressing room.
There's also an internal lift to all levels.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/3/22/image4.png" alt="">
Belle Property Mosman agents Tim Foote and Mark Jackson had the listing. 
The last Bay View Street sale came in 2017 when a an original non-waterfront home, the last undeveloped property on the street, sold for $14.8 million.
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New build Lavender Bay trophy home sold at private auction 

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A Lavender Bay Victorian terrace re-invented by the late interior designer George Freedman, has been listed for sale at $7.2 million.
Freedman undertook the transformation for the Halpern family in 2000, two years after the <a href="https://theagency.com.au/15408/2-waiwera-street-lavender-bay" target="_blank">Waiwera Street home</a> on its 172 square metre holding traded for $860,000.
It went on to sell for $4.05 million to the current vendor in 2011.
<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/2018/10/26/95e18e2551d043c185f83e509b1122dd.jpg" alt="">
It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an upper level media room and an Italian marble table in the open plan lounge and dining space.
The kitchen and second living space opens to a garden courtyard with pond.
The views of the harbour can be captured from the rooftop terrace which comes with an outdoor kitchen.
<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/2018/10/26/63e475f116a94f918d4ee76f02df28f5.jpg" alt="">
The Agency's Dino Lee is marketing the property in conjunction with Ballard Property.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, the American émigré left an indelible mark on his adopted home town after he moved to Australia in the late 1960s to “Manhattanize” the headquarters of the Bank of New South Wales.
“For all the opulence in many of Marsh Freedman’s designs, it was always balanced with tempered restraint guided by Modernist principles,” wrote John Engelen of the dedece design store.
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian. 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Lavender Bay trophy home with George Freedman interiors listed

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Blue at Lavender Bay, Aqualand Australia’s pinnacle project, has seen another penthouse sale.
The last remaining penthouse at Blue in Milsons Point has been sold $10.5 million.
Last month, Aqualand sold its another penthouse in its flagship Blue at Lavender Bay development for $9 million to a Northbridge couple, which was the highest price paid for an apartment in the locale.
Alex Adams, Aqualand’s head of sales and marketing, said Aqualand was extremely pleased to have secured buyers for both penthouses "illustrating the resilience of the north shore prime property market".
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse totals 170 square metres of internal space and boasts panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, the Eastern suburbs and the North Sydney skyline from its grand wrap around balcony. The sale was brokered by CBRE reportedly to orthopaedic surgeon and human rights activist Munjed Al Muderis.
Construction of the development of 129 luxury residential apartments and four retail lots has recently commenced with its scheduled completion in mid 2020.
Sub-penthouses with three-bedrooms and three bathrooms are still available for sale and priced from $4.1 million. 
It was marketed as the last residential conversion development in the Milsons Point area with views to the city and Harbour Bridge.
Of the 72 apartments sold on initial marketing in September 2017, the highest sale result was the $8 million sub-penthouse, which equated to a bullish $55,000 per square metre.
Located at 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point, it was once an 18-level commercial office building.
The architectural firm PTW included premium Gaggenau appliances, natural stone kitchens, stone floors, extensive joinery, larger open-plan living areas and generous sized bedrooms and ensuites.
Aqualand bought the Samsung office building in 2016 for $140 million.
It initially contemplated offering a 550 square metre penthouse which was expected to carry a $20 million asking price.
Aqualand is a subsidiary of the Shanghai-based property developer Shenglong, billed as one of China’s top 50 property developers.
Ir recently appointed a head of construction, Tom Catalovski, who was previously the construction director of Probuild Constructions.
Aqualand Property, and the boutique tier-one construction firm, Roberts Pizzarotti recently "mutually agreed" not to proceed with a joint venture partnership for building Blue.
Under the direction of new CEO, John Carfi, Aqualand has instead chosen to develop the intended JV project with its in-house building team, Aqualand Constructions.
A key objective of the Aqualand Roberts Pizzarotti construction joint venture (“ARP”) was to provide construction capabilities as an interim.
The injection of John Carfi into the helm of the Aqualand business boosted the company’s strategic trajectory and allowed Aqualand to bring forward the timing for their first self-delivered major project.
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Both of Aqualand's Blue at Lavender Bay penthouses now sold

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The longtime Lavender Bay bolthole of the renowned Bali-based landscaper, Made Wijaya was sold at auction earlier this month for $1.19 million.
It was listed following his 2016 death.
Born Michael White, Wijaya secured an international reputation especially after designing the late David Bowie’s garden at his Caribbean island of Mustique. 
<div>
<div class="cT-imageLandscape lead">His one bedroom Walker Street ground floor apartment, which overlooks Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, was bought in 1996 for $295,000.</div>
</div>
Stone McMahons Point’s Heather McCartney had $850,000 hopes, but there was a $900,000 opening bid.
This article was first published by The Sunday Telegraph.
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Lavender Bay sale by Made Wijaya's executor

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Blue at Lavender Bay, Aqualand Australia’s pinnacle project, secured a strong weekend sales result when they officially went on sale.
The development was expected to meet with strong buyer interest because it was marketed as the last residential conversion development in the Milsons Point area with views to the city and Harbour Bridge.
Of the 72 apartments sold on Saturday morning the highest sale result was the $8 million sub-penthouse, which equated to a bullish $55,000 per square metre.
But the sales success required an extended six month buildup, and not all 129 apartments in the development, located at 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point, went up for sale.
The project display suite has been open since August promoting the offerings in what was once an 18-level commercial office building. 
Alex Adams, Aqualand sales manager, said the luxurious abodes had been conceptualised by architectural firm PTW to include premium Gaggenau appliances, natural stone kitchens, stone floors, extensive joinery, larger open-plan living areas and generous sized bedrooms and ensuites.
Aqualand bought the Samsung office building last year for $140 million.
Ben Stewart, at CBRE, has advised the second stage of the 20-storey tower includes the penthouse, which is a 550-square-metre offering expected to carry a $20 million asking price.
The managing director of Aqualand is Shangjin Lin, who on New Year’s Eve in 2015 paid $52 million for the Vaucluse trophy home Villa Igiea.
Aqualand is a subsidiary of the Shanghai-based property developer Shenglong, billed as one of China’s top 50 property developers and chaired by Mr Lin’s father, Yi Lin.
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Lavender Bay

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