Lewis Land's latest apartment release within its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan is targeting one of the Gold Coast's fastest-growing buyer groups, with almost a third of apartments at Solis priced below $1 million.

The seven-storey building at Biggera Waters will comprise 91 apartments, including 24 one-bedroom residences starting from $778,000, a price point Lewis Land says is aimed squarely at first home buyers struggling to enter the Gold Coast market.

<img alt="Harbour Shires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7486e37-22f6-4c92-b212-9b0622070b8f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=W8MJwJUCf6HkIyl_EVSksnd.QI6MZryY" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a> Head of Development Michael Long said the developer deliberately allocated a significant proportion of the project to more affordable apartment types.

"First home buyers have been priced out of many parts of the Gold Coast, and we saw a clear opportunity to address this and play our part in a longer-term housing solution," Long said.

"That's why 24 of the 91 apartments being delivered at Solis have been designed and priced for the city's next generation of homeowners, quality one-bedroom apartments, half of which include an additional multipurpose room to maximise space and flexibility.

"This approach places 30 per cent of apartments in Solis under $1 million, and with close proximity to Harbour Town's future light rail extension connecting residents to the city's major employment and knowledge hubs, it's a win for buyers looking to secure their first property."

<img alt="Sores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550526d3-73ba-4710-9739-c5f4294a30ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-08%20at%209.09.29%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cQQdXHt9wS0UXwZEm5Py5bH_3kAmzyhu" />

Designed by BDA Architecture, Solis will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with residences ranging up to 232 sqm. Apartments feature generous balconies and contemporary finishes, while residents will have access to Harbour Shores' lagoon pool, clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga studio and sauna.

The focus on first home buyers resonated with purchaser Holly Humphreys, who said she and her boyfriend spent more than a year searching for their first property before shifting their attention from houses to apartments.

"We fell in love with the first house we bid on and got our hopes up, but after repeated knockbacks we learned not to get too attached," Humphreys said.

"We offered at the high end of price guides, but sales kept going even higher. That's where we really struggled and we needed to re-evaluate our budget and our expectations. Standalone houses were off the table, and we pivoted to apartments and townhouses."

Humphreys said it was encouraging to see developers recognising the growing demand from first home buyers.

"There's a growing number of young buyers looking to enter the market earlier because they understand that getting in now can make a real difference as prices continue to rise," she said.

"It's fantastic to see a developer recognise this and then actively take measures to deliver an apartment with us in mind."

Solis is the first development planned within the second stage of the Harbour Shores masterplan, with early works expected to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Joel Robinson

Lewis Land targets first home buyers at latest Harbour Shores release, Solis

Luxury apartment developer Abadeen has recorded $19.25 million in apartment sales across two of its Lower North Shore developments in the lead-up to the end of the financial year, headlined by the sale of a $6.75 million penthouse at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/koyo-crows-nest-5-rodborough-avenue-crows-nest-nsw-2065">KOYO in Crows Nest.</a>

The transactions also included the sale of a newly completed three-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences in Cremorne</a> for $6.35 million, with the residence selling shortly after the project's first public inspections following completion.

The sales come as completed, owner-occupier-focused apartments continue to attract strong demand across Sydney's Lower North Shore, particularly from buyers looking for certainty and immediate occupancy.

The penthouse at KOYO spans 491 sqm across a single level and was designed by architect Koichi Takada. The development is one of Abadeen's flagship boutique projects in Crows Nest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=370093]

Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said buyer activity lifted noticeably in the lead-up to the end of the financial year.

"We saw a clear increase in enquiry levels, inspection numbers and buyer engagement across our completed projects leading into the end of the financial year," Brown said.

"Buyers have become far more decisive over the past six months. The combination of improving confidence, limited supply and the ability to physically inspect completed residences is creating strong competition for premium apartments in the best locations."

Brown says the&nbsp;response to Park Residences following completion has been particularly strong.

"Buyers want certainty and are responding positively to the opportunity to walk through a finished product, inspect the quality firsthand and move in immediately," Brown suggested.

"Projects such as Park Residences and KOYO demonstrate that when the product is exceptional and the location is irreplaceable, buyers are prepared to act quickly."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=370116]

Abadeen CEO Joe Tack said quality continued to differentiate projects in the current market.

"Today's buyers are incredibly discerning," Tack said.

"They are seeking larger floorplans, premium finishes, walkability, lifestyle amenity and confidence in the developer delivering the project. Well-designed boutique developments continue to outperform because they offer something genuinely difficult to replace.

"The enquiry we are seeing across our completed and recently completed Lower North Shore portfolio is very encouraging, and we expect this momentum to continue into spring."

The sales follow increased enquiry across Abadeen's Lower North Shore portfolio which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective in Naremburn</a> which also completed recently.

KOYO penthouse headlines Abadeen's $19.25 million EOFY sales flurry

The City of Sydney has approved plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/billbergia">Billbergia Group</a> and Metrics Credit Partners’ $3.5 billion Castlereagh Place project in the heart of the Sydney CBD

The towers will be among the tallest in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw-2000">Sydney</a>'s CBD, with more floors than any other residential tower in the city.&nbsp;

The 6,000 sqm site was acquired by the joint venture partners in 2024. It is the largest amalgamated land parcel in the Sydney CBD and comprises eight individual sites fronting Castlereagh, Pitt and Liverpool Streets.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castlereagh-place-sydney-324-348-pitt-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Castlereagh Place</a> will transform an underutilised city block into a landmark mixed-use destination, anchored by two 82-storey towers comprising 607 luxury residences above an 8-level podium housing a 209-room luxury hotel. A 1,000 square metre civic park on ground level features a curated mix of food, beverage and retail.

The plans have been refined over the past year to rebalance the residential and hotel offering, and reconfigure the retail footprint to create a stronger, more dynamic dining experience.

A three-level flagship building on the prominent corner of Pitt and Liverpool Streets will be the gateway to the Castlereagh Place lifestyle precinct. Set to become a Sydney icon, the building is capable of housing multiple hospitality venues.

“Castlereagh Place is designed to be the City's next great urban oasis - an energetic mixed-use precinct that pulses with life, day and night,"&nbsp;said Joseph Kinsella, Group Director of Billbergia.

"It will bring the vibrancy of places like Barangaroo and Darling Quarter into a more accessible, central destination at the very heart of Sydney."

Kinsella said the project will build on&nbsp;Sydney’s growing laneway culture with the City’s largest network of new activated lanes - an expanded, next-generation take on precincts like Angel Place, Palings Lane and Ash Street in Wynyard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134477 project_image_fid=374401]

Castlereagh Place has been designed by architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">fjcstudio</a> in collaboration with Trias Studio, Aileen Sage and Polly Harbison Design, joint winners of an international design competition in 2018.&nbsp;

Signature design elements from the original scheme remain unchanged, while the public domain has been significantly enhanced, delivering 60 per cent more open-to-sky space.

Pedestrian access will also be enhanced through new laneways linking Pitt, Liverpool and Castlereagh Streets, drawing people into a new civic park with outdoor seating, landscaping and integrated public art.

With activated laneways supported by strong hospitality offerings, Castlereagh Place is tipped to become a vibrant new dining destination in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

It marks the largest undertaking to date for the Billbergia and Metrics Credit Partners partnership. Together they are developing other underutilised Sydney sites into mixed-use precincts, including the $2.2 billion Concord Central and the $1.3 billion Chatswood Grand Residences.

Metrics Managing Partner and Group CEO Andrew Lockhart said Castlereagh Place is a landmark project that will redefine Sydney’s skyline.

"As the tallest residential high-rise development, the revitalised site will offer panoramic views across the CBD and surrounds. We are excited to partner with Billbergia to reinvigorate an underutilised site and create a sophisticated and contemporary mixed-use offering situated in the heart of Sydney.”

Total apartments within the towers have increased to 607 dwellings, with a focus on larger floorplans. Aligned to growing market demand, Castlereagh Place now comprises 299 three-plus-bedroom apartments, 198 two-bedroom units and 110 one-bedroom configurations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134477 project_image_fid=374402]

Resident amenities will include an exclusive residents club containing a gym, rooftop pool, dining rooms, co-working spaces, library, golf simulator, games room, cinema room, and access to an exclusive concierge service. There will be around 500 basement car spaces below the towers.

The development will also include a state-of-the-art wellness centre, set to feature a bathhouse with magnesium pools, hot/cold plunge pools and premium amenities.

&nbsp;

According to fjcstudio, the towers will feature distinctive yet elegant architectural design reflecting Sydney’s geometry and urban character, with a network of through-site links and intimate public spaces activating the streetscape.

"Castlereagh Place is a city-making project of significant scale and ambition," said Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director at fjcstudio.

"It will create a rich urban complex of public open spaces, landscaped gardens, and vibrant laneways. Defining these new public spaces and the important streetscape of Castlereagh Street is a sequence of fine-grained, diverse retail and hotel architecture designed in collaboration with Aileen Sage, Polly Harbison Design and Trias.

“Rising above the tree-lined, human-scale streetscape are two slender residential towers that will transform the city skyline and look towards the Harbour, Hyde Park, and the Royal Botanic Garden.”

Demolition and early construction works have commenced onsite at Castlereagh Place.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134477]

Billbergia, Metrics, approved for $3.5 billion Sydney skyscrapers

International developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/spg-land">SPG Land</a> is preparing to re-launch its long-awaited $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Paradiso Place</a> development at Budds Beach, bringing a new price point to the Surfers Paradise apartment market.

The developer will release one-bedroom apartments from $825,000 and two-bedroom apartments from $1.24 million in the three-tower development.

According to Urbis, the starting price for the two-bedroom apartments is more than $400,000 below the weighted average sale price for comparable two-bedroom apartments in Surfers Paradise during 2025, which was pinned at $1.7 million.

&nbsp;

Urbis reported quarterly average sale prices for new two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments ranged from around $1.2 million to $1.7 million throughout 2025, peaking in the December quarter.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185853]

Paradiso Place is now moving into its formal sales campaign, with a limited early-release opportunity available ahead of the public launch.

The development will comprise 845 apartments across three towers rising 40, 41 and 44 storeys from a 1.15-hectare site spanning an entire city block. The towers will sit above a new retail precinct.

"Paradiso Place represents a rare opportunity in today's market, offering premium apartments at a price point that is significantly more competitive than anything else currently available," SPG Land Sales Director Brad McMahon said.

"When you look at comparable new developments across Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and the Southern Beaches precinct, buyers are typically paying hundreds of thousands more for a similar product.

"The scale of this project and the developer-builder construction model allows us to unlock efficiencies that smaller developments simply cannot achieve. We are passing those benefits directly to buyers, while still delivering a five-star residential experience with an unmatched lifestyle."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=374280]

Each of the three towers designed by Rothelowman will have its own podium, connected by an elevated skybridge network to create a beachside village for residents. The resident amenity has been designed to rival a five-star hotel, with private dining rooms, resident lounges and entertainment spaces.

McMahon said the pricing strategy was a deliberate response to the current market.

"What Paradiso Place offers is a unique balance, genuine value within a premium market. Buyers are not compromising on quality, design or amenity, they are gaining access to it at a more competitive price point at a time when prices across the Gold Coast continue to reach new highs."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362498]

Located around 100 metres from the beach and within walking distance of the Surfers Paradise North light rail station, Paradiso Place occupies one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held beachfront precincts.

Construction is continuing to progress, with eight of the project's 112 foundation piles now complete. Excavation has also commenced on the first diaphragm wall panel, with the first concrete poured on 15 June, marking a key milestone in the project's early works program.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106566]

SPG Land launches $1.5 billion Paradiso Place at attractive price point

Luxury developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> has achieved a new Victorian benchmark for an off-the-plan apartment, with the sale of two penthouses at its ultra-exclusive Maison Savoy development in Brighton.

The two penthouses achieved a combined sale rate of $49,926 per sqm. Both transactions eclipsed the previous identified Victorian off-the-plan price-per-square-metre benchmark, set by the 449 sqm apartment at Como Toorak, which sold at $46,659 per sqm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366473]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/maison-savoy-brighton-150-esplanade-brighton-vic-3186">Maison Savoy</a>, Lowe Living's redevelopment of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel on absolute beachfront land at 150 The Esplanade, Brighton, has gained significant momentum since launching just eight weeks ago. Around 30 per cent of the project's 19 residences have already been secured, generating approximately $45 million in sales.

"Securing two of the three penthouse sales at this stage, within eight weeks of launching to market speaks to the confidence our clients place in Lowe Living," Lowe Living co-founder Emma Lowe said.

"They know we'll be with them through every stage of the journey, and that assurance is something we've worked hard to earn and never take for granted."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366474]

Lowe said Maison Savoy was conceived as a genuine alternative to a prestige Brighton home, combining house-scale proportions with the convenience, security and lock-up-and-leave appeal of apartment living.

Lowe Living co-founder Tim Lowe said the early sales success demonstrated the resilience of Melbourne's prestige market and highlighted the growing demand for house-sized apartments among ultra-high-net-worth buyers.

"The Melbourne market has definitely been tested in recent years, with interest rates and global economic factors all creating a period of uncertainty across the real estate sector. The sales success at Maison Savoy however demonstrates that confidence remains exceptionally strong at the top end of the market.

"The prestige market is being driven by long-term lifestyle decisions rather than short-term market sentiment, which continues to create a level of certainty that befits an absolute beachfront property in a blue-chip location like Brighton.

"Brighton's fundamentals remain among the strongest in Melbourne, with limited new supply, enduring demand from an overwhelmingly local owner-occupier market, and a rare combination of beachfront amenity and proximity to the CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=374378]

According to Cotality, Brighton remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held prestige suburbs, with an average ownership tenure of 15.3 years for houses and 12.3 years for units, while more than 73 per cent of homes are owner-occupied.

Tim Lowe said selling two of the project's three penthouses so early in the campaign was an uncommon result.

"This sales result is a reflection of quality and understanding the local market. It's incredibly rare to transact the penthouses so early in a sales campaign in any project so to have sold two of the three penthouses at Maison Savoy so soon after launch, all in-house without any external sales agency appointed, is reflective of our careful consideration of our buyers' needs and lifestyle.

"This is knowledge that is accumulated not just from data and demographic analysis, but via a deeply embedded understanding of how this type of buyer wants to live and feel in their home. We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients personally, and over the last 10 years we have been able to refine our product offering by talking one-on-one with our clients about their design and floorplan preferences.

"Being a fully integrated developer-builder with an in-house design and sales team allows us to lead every part of the process and ensure the highest quality of product and service at every touchpoint. It's a really important part of our DNA and the recent sales success at Maison Savoy indicates that our clients and purchasers are resonating with this point of difference.

"It reinforces that demand remains strong for thoughtfully designed residences that offer rarity, lifestyle and long-term value in tightly held locations, which ultimately validates Maison Savoy's positioning as creating a new benchmark for house-scale, wellness-led apartment living on Brighton's beachfront."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140818 project_image_fid=366480]

The residences at Maison Savoy start from 295 sqm, with most enjoying uninterrupted views across Port Phillip Bay. The project sits moments from the Brighton Bathing Boxes, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Middle Brighton Baths and Church Street's retail and dining precinct.

A key feature of the development is its private residents-only bathhouse, curated by the founder of Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse and modelled on traditional European bathing rituals and the award-winning Sorrento bathhouse.

The wellness offering includes a hydrotherapy pool, salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, foot activation zone and a Vichy rainfall bed, one of only a handful in Australia. Residents will also have access to a Technogym studio, lounge spaces and a dedicated concierge service offering everything from morning coffee delivery and restaurant bookings to dry cleaning and home coordination.

"Wellness-led design has become a defining factor for luxury buyers," Emma Lowe said.

"Purchasers increasingly value homes that enhance wellbeing through thoughtful design, private amenity, privacy and liveability."

The penthouse purchasers are now undertaking a bespoke customisation process curated personally by architect Pete Kennon and the Lowe Living team, one of the developer's signature service offerings.

Construction on the $160 million transformation of the former Brighton Savoy Hotel site commenced last month, with completion expected in early 2028. The project has secured funding from NAB alongside development partner Monark.

Just one penthouse remains available, along with a limited number of two and three-bedroom residences starting from $3.75 million.

Lowe Living currently has eight projects on the market across Melbourne and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, having grown a $1 billion development pipeline alongside a $350 million construction pipeline.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140818]

Lowe Living set new Melbourne off the plan apartment record

Melbourne off the plan apartments

<a href="/developers/forte-group">Forte Group</a>’s commitment to excellence goes beyond strategic site acquisition—its <a href="/new-apartments/nexus-apartments-thomastown-240-high-street-thomastown">Nexus Apartments</a> project is a true reflection of the location.

Designed by the award-winning <a href="/architects/hachem-and-cornetta-partners-architects">Hachem Architecture</a> in collaboration with Cornetta Partners, the development consists of two five-level buildings at 240 High Street, just steps from the town’s historic 1880s train station.

The proximity to the railway isn’t merely a convenience; it has been integrated into the design, enhancing both accessibility and the overall living experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29208 project_image_fid=89943]

Large, carriage-shaped windows further reinforce this connection, offering residents views that recall the romance of rail travel.

The architectural concept goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating practical considerations. The ground-level facade of the buildings is designed to reflect the flow of the railway, with the two structures appearing to slide past each other like trains on parallel tracks.&nbsp;

The transition from the exterior to the interior is marked by a careful blend of materials, creating a connection between the facade and the lobby’s textured design elements.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29208 project_image_fid=89951]

Inside, the apartments are designed to be both functional and a refuge from the busy world outside.&nbsp;

The interiors feature soft edges and bold shapes that tie into the overall architectural theme, with finishes and fixtures selected for their practicality and stylish appeal.

Large windows and expansive outdoor spaces allow natural light to flood the living areas, offering views of both the urban landscape and the surrounding suburban greenery.&nbsp;

The kitchen is equipped with premium Bosch stainless steel appliances, including a 60 cm four-burner gas cooktop, oven, and matching dishwasher, combining practicality with refined style.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29208 project_image_fid=89950]

A stone benchtop and splashback with laminate cabinetry and a single-bowl undermount sink complete the contemporary design.

The bathrooms maintain this high standard, featuring brushed finish fixtures, glass shower screens, and vitreous china basins. Floor and wall tiles create a streamlined, low-maintenance aesthetic.

The bedrooms are spacious, with timber or carpet flooring, built-in robes, and LED lighting that enhances the overall atmosphere.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29208 project_image_fid=89946]

The public space at the centre of the development enhances the sense of community. This bustling area, located between the two buildings, is designed as a dynamic hub where residents and visitors can gather.

Retail offerings on the ground floor will include cafes, with seating spilling into the open courtyard. The space is intended to evolve, with potential for events such as musical performances, pop-up bars, and art installations.

“As Architects and designers, we want to create places that endure. With Nexus, we think we’ve produced a landmark building that people will be happy to return to for years to come," Fady Hachem, Principal Director of Hachem Architecture, said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29208 project_image_fid=89942]

The development’s location, with easy access to the <a href="/developments/thomastown-vic-3074">Thomastown</a> train station and key roads, ensures convenient movement between Melbourne’s CBD and the northern suburbs.&nbsp;

Nexus Apartments is on track to complete in early 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=29208]

The architectural concept goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating practical considerations

Forte Group's design-led approach to Nexus Apartments, Thomastown

Apartments don't get much closer to Brighton's Church Street, the famous retail and hospitality strip, than Adamson No.5, the recently unveiled apartment collection.

<a href="/new-apartments/adamson-no-5-5-adamson-street-brighton">Adamson No.5</a> comprises just 15 two, three and four-bedroom apartments ranging in price from $1,985,000 to the $6,475,000 penthouse that has its own private swimming pool.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148096 project_image_fid=315812]

Construction of the Bayley Ward-designed development is already well underway, being carried out by the respected construction firm Sinjen Builders.

The apartments, which sit in landscaping by Paul Bangay, feature&nbsp;natural stone finishes, as well as premium Gaggenau appliances, Vintec wine fridges, and reeded glass features throughout.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148096 project_image_fid=315816]

Adamson No.5, named after its location on Adamson Street, is just 300 metres from Church Street and its boutique shopping, high-end dining and essential services.

Future Adamson residents will also be just 350 metres from the Middle <a href="/developments/brighton-vic-3186">Brighton</a> Station, on the Sandringham line which is 24 minutes into the centre of Melbourne.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148096 project_image_fid=315817]

Blair Property Group Director, Darren Blair, says living steps away from Church Street means having Brighton’s finest offerings right at your doorstep.

"From local cafés for morning coffee to world-class dining for evening outings, Adamson No.5 delivers a lifestyle of ease and elegance that is truly unparalleled.”

<a href="/builders/sinjen">Sinjen</a> is expected to complete Adamson No.5 in early 2026, with buyers moving in around Easter time.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=148096]

Sinjen is expected to complete Adamson No.5 in early 2026, with buyers moving in around Easter time

Adamson No.5 apartments launch with lure of Brighton's Church Street

Developer-builder <a href="/developers/pitard-group">Pitard Group</a> has ventured into the untapped new apartment development market in Moorabbin in Melbourne's south east.

Their new development, <a href="/buildings/madeline-moorabbin-19-23-central-avenue-moorabbin">Madeline</a>, is the only off the plan apartment development in the suburb, meaning it's the only new project that gives buyers the <a href="/news/vic/vic-government-slashes-stamp-duty-for-off-the-plan-property-buyers-savings-available-immediately-oct-2024">full stamp duty concessions</a> announced by the government last month.

Buyers don't have too long to act however, with Pitard's building arm, Pitard One, approaching completion of the boutique building that will see residents move in early next year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138903 project_image_fid=301324]

The four-level project at 19-23 Central Avenue, one of the most connected developments in&nbsp;Moorabbin, comprises just 44 two and three-bedroom apartments designed by Via Architects, with modernist architecture that features a brick façade and a monochromatic palette.&nbsp;

The design is complemented by greenery and abundant natural light, creating a distinctive presence in the <a href="/developments/moorabbin-vic-3189">Moorabbin</a> Activity Centre.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138903 project_image_fid=301964]

Inside, the apartments continue the contemporary theme, with neutral tones warmed by walnut timber accents. The open-plan layouts allow for expansive living spaces, extending onto large outdoor terraces.

Integrated study nooks have been included to cater for working from home, while a resident lounge on the ground floor features a full kitchen, dining and lounge space.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138903 project_image_fid=301965]

Located in the heart of Moorabbin, Madeline is surrounded by a variety of restaurants, cafes, and retail options.

With Moorabbin Station offering a 30-minute commute to the Melbourne CBD and Hampton Beach just a short drive away, the development provides strong connections to both city life and coastal amenities.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138903]

The four-level project at 19-23 Central Avenue, one of the most connected developments in Moorabbin, comprises just 44 two and three-bedroom apartments

Moorabbin's only new apartment development, Madeline, to complete early next year

The Allan Labor Government has said it is "going all-in on townhouses and apartments that are affordable to build and will stand the test of time in quality, design, aesthetics and sustainability"

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has announced a turbocharged plan for Victoria’s future homes that will drive a new era of affordable architectural heritage in this state.

The plan will compel good design by:

<ul>
	<li>
	Rewarding affordable, well-designed buildings – and the developers who put in the effort to build them – by granting them a fast track through the planning system
	</li>
	<li>
	Expanding the ‘design book’ of great designs by including existing buildings that have made a mark and are loved by residents and the community
	</li>
	<li>
	Letting Victorians have their say for the first time on how Victoria’s streetscapes and buildings should look
	</li>
	<li>
	Building real life examples of ‘design book’ homes on government-owned land so Victorians can see and feel them – and then move in
	</li>
</ul>

Kilkenny said the&nbsp;community deserves affordable buildings that look great on the outside and feel solid as a rock on the inside.

"Our plan is for more grand designs but without the grand cost," Kilkenny&nbsp;said.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us to renew our suburbs and streets with well-designed apartments and townhouses that are great for singles, families and downsizers – and which add to the architectural fabric of our state.”

The Government says the plan will drive change: flipping the script to promote, reward and speed up the construction of townhouses and apartment buildings that look great on the outside – and feel solid as a rock on the inside.

The Great Design Fast Track

The Government will introduce a new, fast-tracked pathway for buildings with homes that meet the test of build quality, good design and sustainability – so developers can build better homes without the additional costs and delays associated with projects that might look a bit ‘different from the norm’.

The&nbsp;Great Design Fast Track&nbsp;will be developed by the Minister for Planning to focus on townhouse and apartment projects of three to six storeys in height. It is intended to apply statewide and work in a similar way to the current Development Facilitation Pathway (DFP) that exists for more significant housing projects.

As with the current DFP, locals would retain the right to know what’s going on and have their say. The DFP accelerates a project through that system, giving confidence to developers that their cost-sensitive projects won’t get stuck in an expensive state of limbo.

Through this fast track, Victoria can give a stronger arm to architects and developers who put in an effort and take on more personal risk by building projects that look great and add lasting value to streets and communities. They should not be punished by a culture that quashes creativity and sustainability.

The Government will expand its&nbsp;State Design Book&nbsp;of ‘future homes’ – projects that are planned on paper alongside artists’ impressions but don’t yet exist – by welcoming into its pages the best examples of good, affordable designs that are already in the ground, home to Victorians and loved by locals.

While the Government is producing such a design book, which is still on track for completion by the end of 2024, the book will be more useful through the inclusion of high-quality developments that are already complete – at a scale up to 6 storeys. It will be a showcase of great buildings that were realistic and viable to deliver.

Eligible designs will be required to encourage sustainable, family friendly and accessible homes, with communal spaces and gardens. Examples of homes that&nbsp;could&nbsp;feature include the beautiful Balfe Park Lane, which delivered 72 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments with a big communal backyard in East Brunswick.

The design book will also establish best practice principles and guidance for well-designed apartments and townhouses – to guide developers and give communities confidence about the long-term quality of new homes.

"We will reward the buildings that are designed the best" VIC Gov to speed up approvals for best designed apartment developments

Melbourne developer <a href="/developers/beulah">Beulah</a> is continuing its expansion into Melbourne’s inner north.

The developer of <a href="/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank">STH BNK by Beulah</a>, which will set the record for the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere when completed, has submitted plans for its 1,200 sqm-plus <a href="/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> site at 430-434 George Street.&nbsp;

Beulah has appointed Australia’s most awarded sustainable architecture practice, <a href="/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture</a>, to design the mixed-use project, which comprises 44 residences and two curated ground-floor retail spaces designed to integrate with the local Fitzroy character.&nbsp;

<img alt="Beulah" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a079df73-07ce-4a85-b3e5-0f3c1df93e25" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%203.05.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=omDLxSdVq_Faf4obwln8iXJIjgBF7YMk" />

Sustainability is at the core of the development. It will be fossil fuel-free and feature rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting. Residents will have access to natural ventilation, biophilic design, sundrenched outlooks and on-site amenities including a ‘bike hub’ and repair station, 49 bicycle spaces, as well as a shared resident zone currently earmarked for a fern garden.&nbsp;

Two levels of the basement will include car spaces for residents, as well as car share vehicles and EV charging facilities as a means of promoting green transport.&nbsp;

For the architecture, Breathe has drawn inspiration from the surrounding area, which is historically characterised by single and double-storey Victorian and Edwardian terrace dwellings, with remnants of industrial and warehouse buildings dotted throughout.&nbsp;

The design features a three-level brick podium lined with lush greenery, honouring the suburb’s heritage character and streetscape through its scale and materials. The active ground level encourages pedestrian activity and enhances natural surveillance, ultimately improving security and the overall quality of the area. The levels above the podium are recessed to minimise the form within the residential neighbourhood, complete with external terrace areas.&nbsp;

The design also seeks to incorporate the retained historically significant bluestone wall along an integrated laneway and will&nbsp; provide a dedicated vehicle and cycle entry along Rose Street to reduce the traffic to George Street.&nbsp;

<img alt="Beulah unveils Fitzroy project - upper storey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bc39f39d-0dc3-4bda-af3d-56fa06a82b2b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/FIT%20Upper%20Storey%20Crop.jpg?VersionId=eD2fcfBAbF2wWYdUsY6xRNEcIE051Rb9" />

Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into <a href="/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a>, a suburb&nbsp;that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike.&nbsp;

“We are excited to contribute to the pulse of Melbourne's oldest and most desirable suburb—the vibrant Fitzroy," Teh said.

"With its eclectic&nbsp;character and rich history, Fitzroy is a culinary heart, a melting pot of cultures, and a hub of thriving lifestyles. We hope our contributions will enhance the precinct's desirability and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."&nbsp;

Breathe Architecture Founding Director Jeremy McLeod said the team was excited to work with Beulah on delivering a project that&nbsp;seamlessly integrates with the Fitzroy streetscape.&nbsp;

“Grounded in the heart of Fitzroy, this project is about strength and elegance. A refined masonry base sits effortlessly with the&nbsp; George Street Terraces, while the upper apartments open up to expansive views and the northern sun.”&nbsp;

Beulah’s other projects within Melbourne’s inner north include its sustainable heritage townhome project,&nbsp;<a href="/new-townhouses/brunswick-established-23-hodgson-st-brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick Established</a> and The Wilds, Northcote’s largest creek-front, resort-style houses, which is under construction and due for completion next year.&nbsp;

Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into Fitzroy, a suburb that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike

Beulah unveils new sustainable Fitzroy development

Sunkin Property Group has officially topped out Park House, the first building in&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/highett-common-37-graham-road-highett-vic-3190">Highett Common</a>, Victoria’s first Net Zero Community.

Project partners were invited to <a href="/new-apartments/highett-common-37-graham-road-highett-vic-3190">Highett Common</a>, a soon-to-be 9.3-hectare neighbourhood featuring landscaped parks, dedicated nature reserves, and a range of amenities. Some facilities will be exclusive to Highett Common residents, while others—like the new two-level public library, part of the Bayside Community Facility—will be open to the wider Highett community.

Park House is Highett Common’s first building to reach height completion, within a precinct that will be home to over 1,000 residences once completed.

The topping out event is a centuries-old tradition with roots in Scandinavia. The practice stems from symbolic ceremonies of respecting the land that has been disturbed throughout the construction process. It is believed the practice will bring good fortune and prosperity to the future site and its residents.

The celebration also presented an opportunity to acknowledge the work and dedication put forth by the project team to reach this level of construction.

<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/WbTHUNpFRcM?si=kI2tdL3tYmDeJsP_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Highett Common is being brought to life by some of the most well-renowned leaders in the industry. <a href="/landscape-architect/tract-landscape-architects">Tract Landscape Architects</a> has been engaged as lead consultant to highlight the importance placed on integrating the development with its natural surroundings.

Working alongside them, the expert design team at <a href="/architects/clarke-hopkins-clarke-0">Clarke Hopkins Clarke Architects</a> has designed indoor and outdoor spaces that pay homage to this naturalised focus. With these designs in hand, SK Construction is leading the charge in the current construction phase, ensuring that Highett Common will be delivered within expected timelines and to a high quality.

Other partners helping to bring the spaces to life include furniture partner, Coco Republic, and project manager, Gallagher Jeffs, who are playing important roles in the new phase.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=300063]

Sunkin has appointed&nbsp;Delta Group as the head contractor for Highett Common’s next phase, tasked with creating the very first open greenspaces and parklands. Landscape designers at Tract Consultants have curated a vision and masterplan that seamlessly integrates this parkland into the existing natural site, which the team at Delta will now help to realise.

Located on approximately 0.9-hectares, this first stage will see the public open spaces and community park adjacent to the Park House and North Lane brought to life. These spaces will be home to open grassy lawns, as well as nature-inspired playgrounds and ensure that Highett Common’s first residents will have access to community amenities from their move-in day.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=300077]

Activity and works are underway on-site with practical completion expected by May 2025. This will be followed by a council handover process in time for the move-in of the first Highett Common residents in 2025.

The Park House, over 85 per cent sold, will comprise&nbsp;one, two, and three-bedroom residences.

Future residents will benefit from Highett Common's state-of-the-art amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, two gyms, wellness hubs, and a public library.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=300054]

<a href="/developers/sunkin-property-group">Sunkin</a>&nbsp;recently launched the newest stage at Highett Common, <a href="/news/vic/sunkin-reveal-the-mews-collection-highett-commons-latest-release">The Mews Collection</a>, 185 apartments across the next three buildings.

Part of the release is the first opportunity to buy the most high-end apartments in the precinct. The Luxury Collection will comprise 12 luxury apartments designed for owner-occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

Located near Highett Station and just a short distance from local shopping centres and Sandringham Beach, Highett Common aims to blend modern living with natural surroundings in a prime location well-connected to Bayside and the rest of Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108019]

Located near Highett Station and just a short distance from local shopping centres and Sandringham Beach, Highett Common aims to blend modern living with natural surroundings in a prime location well-connected to Bayside and the rest of Melbourne

Sunkin tops out first stage of Highett Common neighbourhood

While Melbourne has seen a generational shift of new apartment towers in the last decade, the high-density sprawl is yet to reach Geelong.

Geelong, the harbourside city that has grown significantly due to millions of dollars worth of private and public investment, has only seen a handful of new apartment developments come to life in recent years.

Given the lack of new developments across the city, what has been even more rare has been the availability of new penthouses. That’s what makes the four penthouses atop <a href="/new-apartments/motif-geelong-1-york-street-geelong-vic-3220">Motif</a> Geelong, currently being developed by <a href="/developers/dm-property-icon-kajima">DM Property and Icon Kajima</a>, a golden opportunity for those looking to downsize on the edge of the burgeoning city.

Just four apartments sit on the penthouse level, and offer the ideal lockup and leave lifestyle which has proven scarce in the Geelong region for many years.

The timing of the release is set to benefit downsizers, given the VIC Government's move in October to <a href="/news/vic/vic-government-slashes-stamp-duty-for-off-the-plan-property-buyers-savings-available-immediately-oct-2024">scrap stamp duty in the new apartment space for 12 months</a>, a move that is likely to encourage downsizers in particular out of their family homes and into a new, large apartment, without the expensive duty transfer they would have previously paid.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136615 project_image_fid=311693]

The penthouses, three three-bedroom apartments and sole two-bedroom apartment, offer the best views from the sixth and highest level of the boutique York Street building designed by <a href="/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>.

Each penthouse, with upgraded Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated appliances, offers expansive views of the Geelong CBD as well as water views of the bay. They have been oriented so the open plan kitchen, living and dining room meets the balcony that captures the extensive views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136615 project_image_fid=311694]

Stuart Marsland, Principal of Rothelowman, said the site for Motif has the advantage of not just being on the edge of the city, but also the edge of the bay.

"Our vision was to provide high-quality spaces for living and working that take advantage of views in all directions," Marsland said.

An internal light well in the building invites additional daylight, while the&nbsp;ground floor features a communal, plaza-like area landscaped by ACRE, as well as a shared rooftop terrace.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136615 project_image_fid=241455]

More than 60 per cent of the 129 apartments have been snapped up since the development launch back in September last year. In a sign of tight supply in Geelong, there has only been one other development launch in the last 12 months.

The development has proven popular with local first home buyers, investors, both those from Melbourne and Sydney, as well as local downsizers.

Located at 1 York Street, just outside the CBD, the project is on the doorstep of Pakington Street’s bustling café and dining scene, the Little Malop Street cultural precinct home to the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, and close to waterfront attractions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136615 project_image_fid=295056]

Motif is the first apartment development on the Bellarine Peninsula to be built by regarded construction firm&nbsp;<a href="/builders/hamilton-marino">Hamilton Marino</a>, strengthening confidence in buyers the building will be completed to a high standard. There's also the expertise from Icon Developments, owned by the publicly listed Kajima Corporation, one of the world’s largest property and construction companies.

DM Property, founded by Brendan Mullan and David Dordevic, kicked off their development journey with the successful Sandringham townhouse development, Early 3191, which will be ready for occupancy early next year.

They have a new townhouse project coming up early next year in Brighton.

Construction of Motif is well underway, with completion slated for late 2025. RPM Group is handling the project sales.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136615]

Downsizers set to swoop on new penthouses at Motif Geelong

While South Bank generally refers to the collection of suburbs south of a river that dissects the city (think Brisbane or London), Melbourne's Southbank is a suburb in its own right, and it's arguably the most connected suburb in the whole of Melbourne.

Given its proximity to the city and the river, it's no surprise that the near-12,000 apartments make up over 98 per cent of dwellings in the 3006 postcode, the 2021 ABS Census showed.

Private investment from the commercial, retail, and hospitality sectors has matched the increase in density and population, turning Southbank into one of the city's most vibrant residential and cultural hubs, right on the Yarra River. The focal point of <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a> is the casino Crown Melbourne, having stood just off the river for the best part of two decades, while the Melbourne Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria are also key destinations.

It wasn't until the 1990s when the suburb began its development, having predominantly been a commercial and industrial area. Now skyscrapers line the skyline.

Just over two decades ago, work began on <a href="/buildings/eureka-tower-7-riverside-quay-southbank">Eureka Tower</a>, which by the time it completed in 2006, was the tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere at nearly 300 metres, putting Southbank on the global map.

That was topped in 2020 when the 317-metre <a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> was completed. Australia 108, only 200 metres from the front door of Eureka, comprises 1105 apartments across a 100-level building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=182857]

It was one of the first crop of towers with upscaled resident amenities, a trend which we've seen only grow in the last five years.

The building boasts two exclusive resident grand lobbies with lounges and a hotel-style porte-cochere. The Sky Rise Club features a heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a fully equipped gym, a theatre, a grand dining room, and a virtual golf room.

The Star Club, on Levels 70 and 71 and reserved for owners of the more premium apartments, features double-height, full glass infinity pools with spa facilities, along with two state-of-the-art gyms, dining rooms, expansive lounge rooms, a reading room, a private cinema, and a sky garden.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582 project_image_fid=182879]

One of the newest tower developments in development in Southbank is <a href="/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank">STH BNK by Beulah</a>. One of the two towers, at 366 metres, will be the tallest in Australia.

The 367-apartment development has already seen records shattered after it hit the market last year.&nbsp;A penthouse broke the Melbourne off the plan apartment record when it sold for $35 million, only to be topped by a sub penthouse <a href="/news/vic/sth-bnk-by-beulah-breaks-melbourne-apartment-record-again">that sold for $38 million</a>.

At the heart of&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank">STH BNK by Beulah</a>&nbsp;will be the world’s tallest ‘greenscraper’—promising a green, active and connected urban environment with the future of retail innovation, customised hospitality, fresh food perspectives, cultural experiences, and vitality and wellness at its core.

A wellness precinct, located on an entire podium level in&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank">STH BNK by Beulah</a>, is designed to be the city's world-class, all-in-one health and wellness destination backed by science's leading practices.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8804 project_image_fid=221153]

International developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>&nbsp;is also working on one of the largest mixed-use precincts in Melbourne nearby.

<a href="/buildings/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">Melbourne Square</a>, across an unrepeatable two-hectare site on City Road above Melbourne’s internationally acclaimed Arts Precinct, is well into its development, with two towers already completed and ready to move in.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=211867]

Currently under construction is <a href="/new-apartments/blvd-at-melbourne-square-19-hoff-boulevard-southbank">BLVD</a>, the latest stage which offers just over 600 apartments across a 74-level tower littered with facilities like&nbsp;private dining rooms, state-of-the-art gyms, a 25m indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, golf simulator, entertainment and lounge spaces, and a double-storey co-working area on levels 55 and 56.&nbsp;

Multiplex is building BLVD, which is slated for completion in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=201012]

While precedent has been set for towers getting up to 100 levels, not every development in Southbank is reaching that high into the sky.

Almost boutique at 62-levels is The Queensbridge Building by Time &amp; Place, MaxCap Group and Hickory, under construction on Queensbridge Street, just one street back from Crown Melbourne.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-queensbridge-building-southbank-90-queensbridge-street-southbank">The Queensbridge Building</a> will have 367 apartments which will share the building with the 188-room Hannah St. Hotel, operated by TFE Hotels.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1504 project_image_fid=272071]

Only a handful of developments have completed in recent years. Central Equity's FOCUS is Melbourne's most awarded high-rise development in 2023.

<a href="/buildings/focus-melbourne-81-city-road-southbank">FOCUS</a>, rising 50 levels on City Road, won the&nbsp;prestigious Victorian Housing Award from the HIA, and also a coveted UDIA Victoria Award for Excellence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=206139]

The $450 million FOCUS Melbourne comprises a&nbsp;mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

International developer Landence also recently completed its slice of Southbank. <a href="/buildings/the-evermore-southbank-58-66-dorcas-street-southbank">The Evermore</a>, a two-tower development designed by Hayball closer to the Botanic Gardens than the Yarra River, has over 50 different floorplans for buyers to choose from.

There are 366 one, two and three-bedroom apartments in The Evermore, atop a&nbsp;podium level housing upscale retail spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2087 project_image_fid=237888]

Enquiry for apartments in Southbank on Apartments.com.au has been dominated by&nbsp;first home buyers since the start of 2024.

They represent 46 per cent of enquiry in Southbank this year, followed by those buying their next home (34 per cent), and then investors (20 per cent).

Project searches in Southbank spiked by nearly 60 per cent from September to October, with enquiry also jumping by 75 per cent.

Southbank’s skyline evolution: The rise of new apartment living on the Yarra River

Melbourne's property market continues to trickle toward the bottom.

CoreLogic's Monthly Index showed both the house and unit market contracted in October. It was another month units (-0.1 per cent) outperformed houses (-0.2 per cent), but it was the first month since August that both dwelling groups were in the red.

The median value of a unit in Melbourne is now $613,000.

The decline in the property market in Melbourne is predominantly being driven by higher supply.

“Total listings are now 13.2 per cent above the previous five-year average in Sydney and 13 per cent higher in Melbourne,” CoreLogic Research Director Tim Lawless noted, helping to explain the weaker conditions in these markets as buyers benefit from more choice and less urgency in their decision making.

That's not the case in the off the plan market however, which is facing critically low supply.

While the property market in general in Melbourne continues to trickle toward bottoming out, the off the plan market might just be primed to see growth.

<h2>What happened in the Melbourne off the plan apartment market in October?</h2>

October may present the turning of the tide in the off the plan apartment market in Melbourne.

In the last week of the month, the Allan Government announced two new policies to stimulate new development across the city.

The first was the announcement that they were encouraging new apartment development&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/50-new-train-and-tram-zone-activity-centres-to-encourage-new-apartment-development-across-melbourne">around 50 train and tram stations</a>.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/50-new-train-and-tram-zone-activity-centres-to-encourage-new-apartment-development-across-melbourne">50 new ‘train and tram zone’ activity centres to encourage new apartment development across Melbourne</a>

The second announcement, days later, was to abolish stamp duty for all buyer types across all price points for 12 months.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/vic-government-slashes-stamp-duty-for-off-the-plan-property-buyers-savings-available-immediately-oct-2024">VIC Government slashes stamp duty for off-the-plan property buyers - savings available immediately, Oct 2024</a>

Read more: <a href="/news/vic/the-shackles-are-off-what-the-abolition-of-stamp-duty-really-means-for-the-melbourne-new-apartment-market">"The shackles are off": What the abolition of stamp duty really means for the Melbourne new apartment market</a>

The news came in the last week of October, and since then three new developments have hit the market, one of them being <a href="/new-apartments/bright-brighton-34-black-street-brighton-brighton-vic-3186">Bright</a>, just six two, three and four-bedroom apartments in the heart of <a href="/developments/brighton-vic-3186">Brighton</a>.

Marshall White Projects has calculated buyers could save up to around $200,000 in stamp duty on the apartments since the Government policy kicked in.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147778 project_image_fid=309650]

Marshall White Projects Director Leonard Teplin said the satmp duty abolition is&nbsp;a "game-changer for downsizers."

"They [downsizers] can now purchase high-end apartments&nbsp;or townhouses without the hefty stamp duty, making the transition more financially appealing," Teplin says.

"I expect to see a surge in downsizer activity, especially in premium inner-city and Bayside locations. This also has a dual benefit of encouraging downsizers to transition from the family home, and therefore, making more established housing available for family buyers."

Given the 12-month timeline on the stamp duty abolition, the expectation is that developments recently approved, or those that were paused and waiting for some sort of stimulus to improve the market conditions, will now launch.

<a href="/developers/time-place">Time &amp; Place</a> will no doubt be looking to get their <a href="/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a> mixed-use development into market sooner rather than later.

Their joint venture with Woolworths for a 60-unit project above a full-line Woolworths was approved late last month.

The five-level building, designed by <a href="/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>&nbsp;at 173 Burke Road, is aimed at targeted at downsizers and young and multi-generational families.

<img alt="Glen Iris" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88bbdec8-27ff-438a-af95-6e697e1c6176" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-01%20at%208.49.37%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Zm_nPk4jU7d.g4miCWhnzGEjH37r7j3j" />

Sales are also set to launch at GURNER's $1.7 billion Docklands precinct, Elysium Fields.

The first three towersm, that will house around 700 dwellings, have been designed as a futuristic wellness and anti-ageing utopia. The 27,000 sqm site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade will house around 1,100 dwellings upon completion and will include around 3,700 sqm of immersive public landscapes and gardens.

Hamilton Marino has been appointed to build the first tower. Early construction works are expected to commence in the next four weeks, prior to the public launch of sales, which is earmarked for early next year. &nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/sales-to-launch-at-gurners-1-7-billion-elysium-fields-precinct-in-docklands">Sales to launch at GURNER's $1.7 billion Elysium Fields precinct in Docklands</a>

<a href="/developers/sma-projects">SMA Projects</a> timed their launch back into the Melbourne off the plan apartment market perfectly.&nbsp;

They recently unveiled The Regent Fitzroy, a building that has been designed purposefully to reimagnie the former&nbsp;iconic Regent Theatre that once sat on the <a href="/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> Street site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24824 project_image_fid=304614]

<a href="/new-apartments/the-regent-fitzroy-340-fitzroy-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">The Regent</a>&nbsp;will comprise 64 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments starting from $725,000.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/sma-bring-back-the-regent-theatre-heritage-in-fitzroy-with-latest-apartment-development">SMA bring back The Regent Theatre heritage in Fitzroy with latest apartment development</a>

<a href="/developers/sunkin-property-group">Sunkin Property Group</a> also revealed the latest stage of its Net Zero Highett community, <a href="/new-apartments/highett-common-37-graham-road-highett-vic-3190">Highett Common</a>.

The Mews Collection, the third stage of the 11-hectare masterplan, will comprise a trio of buildings with 185 apartments.

The apartments will feature&nbsp;floor-to-ceiling glazed windows, to take advantage of the views of the surrounding parklands, as well as all-electric kitchens with stone surfaces, Bosch appliances, and induction cooktops.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=300052]

The Mews Collection represents the first opportunity to buy at the luxury end of the market in the development.

The 12 apartments, dubbed the Luxury Collection are a step up in design, with&nbsp;Gaggenau appliances, herringbone timber flooring, marble benchtops, and advanced home automation systems that are integrated with the&nbsp;<a href="/developments/highett-vic-3190">Highett</a>&nbsp;Common Connect app.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/sunkin-reveal-the-mews-collection-highett-commons-latest-release">Sunkin reveal The Mews Collection, Highett Common's latest release</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/city-beat-september-2024-melbourne-property-market-hovering-around-the-bottom">City Beat September 2024: Melbourne property market hovering around the bottom</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/city-beat-august-2024-is-melbourne-approaching-the-bottom-of-the-market">City Beat August 2024: Is Melbourne approaching the bottom of the market?</a> 
&nbsp;

While the property market in general in Melbourne continues to trickle toward bottoming out, the off the plan market might just be primed to see growth

City Beat November 2024: Melbourne off the plan market gets shot in the arm, but overall market downturn

DCF Property Group has celebrated the official sod-turning for its $180 million First Light development in South Melbourne's Domain Precinct.

The project, with a construction value of $75 million, will be delivered by Ironside, a renowned Australian builder specialising in high-end, large-scale developments.

DCF Property Group CEO, Calvin Huang, said the sod-turning&nbsp;marks a significant milestone for <a href="/developers/dcf-property">DCF</a> as they begin to turn their vision for <a href="/new-apartments/first-light-28-albert-road-south-melbourne">First Light</a> into reality.

“This project represents a major investment in Melbourne’s future, with long-term benefits in job creation, tourism, and economic growth," Huang said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2556 project_image_fid=299333]

There are to be 30 luxury apartments in the building, as well as the Nu By YOO luxury hotel. World-renowned designer Philippe Starck and international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox founded YOO in 1999.

First Light will also introduce world-class amenities including a wellness sanctuary and premier dining experiences designed by renowned restaurateurs Scott Pickett and Jason Lau.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2556 project_image_fid=299353]

Residents will also enjoy exclusive services through partnerships with luxury brands such as Space Furniture, which has curated the development’s interior furnishings.

First Light is due for completion in October 2026, with the hotel to begin operating shortly thereafter.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2556 project_image_fid=299358]

Throughout the construction phase, First Light&nbsp;is expected to create 160 direct jobs, along with an additional 450 jobs across Victoria’s economy.

Upon completion, First Light, through its wide-ranging amenities, will provide 45 permanent jobs, with additional opportunities arising for contractors and suppliers, ensuring a continued positive impact on the local economy.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=2556]

First Light is due for completion in October 2026, with the hotel to begin operating shortly thereafter

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