<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

Joel Robinson

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" dir="auto">
<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" dir="auto">
The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

New Developments

<html><body>
Western Australia’s two apartment sites at Claremont on the Park have seen Mirvac named as the chosen developer, looking to bring a minimum of 178 apartments to the area.
Lands Minister Terry Redman said that Mirvac had been chosen after a rigorous selection process.
The entire <a href="https://www.landcorp.com.au/Residential/Claremont-on-the-Park/%20" target="_blank">Claremont on the Park</a> development is a 9.4 hectare site north of the rail line, which will include residential, commercial and recreation space.
Mirvac had been shortlisted after a “really strong response” to the expressions of interest campaign, noted LandCorp general manager metropolitan Luke Willcock in February.
Now they have been announced as the chosen developer, above Pindan and Victorian-based developer Caydon Property Group, for the project.
The two apartment sites sit on lots 504 and 505, and look to provide housing for more than 350 people, with the entire development to house 1,000 people in 700 homes.
The site is walking distance to Claremont’s shopping precinct and the railway station, and is noted to have views of Claremont Oval at the centre of the project.
“LandCorp undertook a lengthy assessment process to ensure the developer of the two sites would deliver the best standard of medium density urban design as well as quality facilities and accommodation for future residents,” Redman said.
“Mirvac’s proposal delivered on the objectives for achieving a high quality architectural design and sustainable living which contribute to the Oval and streetscape activation.”
The plan for the area was decided in Western Australia’s Directions 2031 and Beyond, to assist in rejuvenating underutilised areas in already-established suburbs.
Civil works to service the sites had been expected to conclude in mid-2014. In December 2013, Stage 2 of site works commenced.
In July 2013 Georgiou Living were selected to develop the first apartment complex at Lot 503. They created <a href="https://thepocketclaremont.com.au/%20" target="_blank">‘The Pocket’ Claremont</a>, which commences construction in July and includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments from $485,000, and advertises the development by noting that “Claremont's median price increasing at an average annual rate of 8.1 per cent.”
At present, the median unit price in <a href="/news">Claremont is recorded at $660,000</a>, according to RP Data, achieving a median weekly advertised rent of $490.
Claremont Football Club have their ground and facility at the project.
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Mirvac to build Claremont on the Park’s 178 plus apartments

<html><body>
Choosing an apartment that is best suited to your personal lifestyle or investment goals is now about much more than just price.
Apartments today deliver an ever more urbane choice, where buyer demand has lead to a revolution in quality and design. As discussed in my last post, <a href="/expert-insights/buying/how-mixed-use-developments-will-continue-to-benefit-a-wide-range-of-mixed-users">the shift in user demographics plays a major role</a> and for many people apartments clearly tick the box for quality, design excellence and innovation. But this has not been achieved overnight.
Apartments from the 1970s may well reflect what is sometimes described as ‘the decade that taste forgot’. The 1970s brought us open plan living, colour – think orange and lime green – terracotta tiles, shag pile wall to wall carpets, big windows, indoor plants and one trend in particular, the use of exposed brick that still dominates some areas of our near city suburbs.
In the mid 1970’s apartment prices in Sydney hovered near $22,000 a decade later $66,000 and then in 1993 apartment prices started to rise and demand also increased for what was starting to become a more all-embracing product. Today the median price for a two bedroom apartment is around $850,000 but these bear no relation to any 1970s ancestor.
But even though some apartments can typically still cost less than a similar-grade house (although that gap is fast closing), in 2014 price alone is not the main consideration driving demand. While the decision to buy a particular type of dwelling is tied to demographics, shrinking household sizes, our ongoing housing shortage and a growing population are all factors.
The reality is that today, apartments are the home of choice for many people and first-class design, I think, is one key reason that can over-reach issues of affordability.
In February 2000 the then New South Wales Premier Bob Carr criticised the quality of the design of residential flat buildings. He challenged architects, the development industry and Local and State governments to do better.
“Australians can lead the world on how to balance urban densities with environmental comfort … The government, with councils, developers and architects, must work together on how to lift our game and create better, more liveable and sustainable suburbs.” (Premier Bob Carr, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 Feb 2000.)
Now almost 15 years after Bob Carr made those remarks has the industry faced up to his model and has the challenge been met?
I think we are well on our way to meeting, and in fact going past the ambitions. There will always be pressures to deliver enough housing in a high-growth future. But we also need to ensure that developments are well located and history shows that the arrival of new projects in some areas is not always welcomed.
However, this should not be allowed to frustrate or diminish the quality of medium or high-density residential buildings. In fact just the opposite. Because as design and quality improve new developments can add value to an area, boosting local demand and delivering sought after homes.
New apartments in our sought after suburbs are in high demand but there is only a limited supply of land, as for example, former commercial and industrial sites are regularly transformed. Understanding that sites are increasingly rare developers are now more than ever aiming to deliver exceptional projects to the market, from a marketing perspective I know that buyers now have ever higher expectations, and rightly so.
Picture of Woolooware Bay development: Supplied.
You can read Peter's discussion with Woolooware Bay architects, Kevin Driver and Angus Henderson from Turner Architects at Peter's blog, <a href="https://www.projectagenda.com.au/" target="_blank">Project Agenda</a>.
</body></html>

pchittenden-eLqUUC8TWW

The design dividend: First-class designs make apartments the home of choice for many buyers

<html><body>
A new development is about to see construction begin next month, with more than 80% of the 42 apartments purchased, with just a single one bedroom offering available for $457,500. The majority were sold within three months of the project’s launch.
A sell-out is expected prior to next month’s construction commencement.
The project will be at <a href="https://www.108bennettstreet.com.au/" target="_blank">108 Bennett Street</a>, East Perth, the corner of Bennett and Wellington Streets, which is opposite to Wellington Square.
One-bedroom units span 78 to 114 square metres.
Probuild will lead the construction for developer Ascot Capital Limited. Knight Frank is responsible for marketing.
Investors have apparently been playing a key part in the purchases, Knight Frank’s Melissa Brown explained.
Some two-bedroom apartments facing the park are available for $640,000 plus.
Within the development, each dwelling has a minimum of one undercover car bay.
“East Perth has long been a favourite with inner city residents due to its close proximity to the river, city and a vast array of transport options and lifestyle facilities,” Brown said, pointing to the expansion of the Crown Casino and six-star hotel, as well as a new sports stadium currently under construction.
“As a result it is attracting strong interest from buyers who are looking to secure an apartment in a growing and developing suburb who can see that the future of investing in the area is good.
“There has been a consistently strong rental demand from tenants, and East Perth has experienced solid capital growth over the years,” she said.
The development will include a roof-top terrace with barbecue area, and a ground floor commercial suite is available for $240,000, covering 33 square metres. There will also be a residents’ gym.
It appears apartment prices spanned  $390,000 to $754,000.
Completion is expected mid-to-late 2015.
<a href="/news">East Perth's median unit price is $610,000</a>, according to RP Data, with median weekly asking rent sitting at $590.
</body></html>

Over 80% sold prior to construction, with sell out tipped for 108 Bennett Street, East Perth

<html><body>
In what appears to be one of Lazzcorp Property Group’s first moves in a decade back into South Yarra, 8 Murphy Street  will see 33 luxury residences hit the market later this month.
With a grand opening scheduled for the 21st June, two and three bedroom apartments will be for sale from $913,500 in the boutique block. Another four penthouses, in addition to these 33 dwellings, will be within the development.
Appearing to have more recently focused on larger projects in <a href="/news">Malvern East</a>, Lazzcorp Property Group are the brains behind smaller projects in South Yarra including 12 apartments at 34 Darling Street, which they completed in April 2002, and five townhouses at 35 Cromwell Road, which completed in 2003.
This new development, dubbed <a href="https://www.eightmurphy.com.au/" target="_blank">Eight Murphy</a>, offers balconies or terraces, and high quality furnishings and finishes. With a team including Carr Designs and Urban Design Architects, and marketed by Castran Gilbert, they’re looking for upmarket attention.
Council documents indicate that it is a five storey building, and that car and bicycle spaces for visitor use are included.
According to RP Data the block sold for $3,500,000 in November 2012, with settlement occurring in February 2013, and had previously been a boarding house.
Currently the <a href="/news">median price in South Yarra for units is $550,000</a>, according to RP Data, with median asking rent at $595 per week.
</body></html>

Lazzcorp Property Group to launch South Yarra apartments

<html><body>
Canberra developer Terry Shaw’s buying syndicate has paid $63.75 million for five plots in <a href="/news/act/act-government-to-sell-campbell-section-5-development-site">the Campbell development</a>.
The Australian Financial Review reports that Shaw intends to begin marketing apartments at the Campbell master-planned development in early 2015. The inner-city sites have been approved for residential, retail and commercial uses. Masterplans for a boutique hotel on the sites have also been approved.
Shaw, reportedly backed by Asian investors, purchased the sites from the ACT government’s Land Development Agency at auction. He told The Australian Financial Review that 500 apartments could potentially be delivered at the site over the next four to seven years, and he intends to start marketing apartments early next year. The Campbell development plots, with a total land area of 6.4 hectares, have a reported potential end value of $300 million.
The sites range from 2095 square metres to 7020 square metres. A $15 million sum was reportedly paid for the largest site, with capacity for 205 residences. The buying syndicate purchased a 5719 square metre, 103 dwelling capacity plot for $13.5 million and paid a further $14.5 million for a 4257 square metre site with capacity for 110 dwellings. The 5719 square metre and 4257 square metre site both have approval for hotel development.
The smallest two sites purchased have the capacity for 110 dwellings in total and were purchased by the consortium for $9.75 million and $11 million each.
The total $67.5 million sum paid by Shaw’s SHL Developments at Wednesday’s auction was well over initial expectations of $40 million to $45 million. The Australian Financial Review reports that around 200 people attended the auction, with 29 registered bidders. 
Shaw is also the managing director of the Englobo Group, a property developer that has completed more than $1 billion worth of residential projects.
</body></html>

jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

All five Campbell, ACT sites purchased by Terry Shaw’s consortium

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
It is often <a href="https://theconversation.com/factcheck-does-building-hospitals-schools-and-airports-cost-more-in-australia-than-in-the-us-16540" target="_blank">argued</a> that Australia’s construction sector productivity is lower than most other developed countries, such as the US.
While there are many factors involved, Australia’s overall productivity growth is declining, something that is not economically sustainable.
A 2010 Australian government-funded <a href="https://www.acilallen.com.au/cms_files/acgbuildingsproductivity2010.pdf">report</a> concluded that accelerating the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the building sector could improve productivity by between 6 to 9%. It also found that concerted government support for the use of BIM by architects, engineers, builders, contractors, owners and facility managers involved in a building’s life cycle would increase BIM adoption in 2025 by 6 to 16% and produce an economic benefit equivalent to A$5 billion added to Australia’s GDP.
More recently the Productivity Commission, in its draft <a href="/news">report</a> on public infrastructure, recommended government clients look to BIM to help lower bid costs, and require tender designs to be submitted using BIM to reduce overall costs.
What is BIM?
Building Information Modelling has a wide range of definitions depending on its application, but one <a href="https://www.canbim.com/about-canbim-0/faq-1">agreed</a> definition is: "a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition."
<img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/50213/width668/zpsnqtf2-1401858403.jpg" alt="">
A Building Information Model linking 3D with the project schedule leads to 4D. 5D consists of 4D together with cost modelling. More dimensions such as facility management, safety and environmental impacts can be added to create nD. Xiangyu Wang
BIM offers a shared platform where people can collaborate with each other horizontally and vertically along the different stages of the project lifecycle. It allows all members of a construction team to generate the characteristics and functionalities of their building, plant or road network virtually, so as to pinpoint errors before they happen on the real construction site.
The construction process at some level can be regarded as an information flow process. This is especially true for mega-construction, such as hospitals, highways, and LNG facilities.
In Australia, there has been successful use of BIM for <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/new-royal-adelaide-hospital-will-help-to-build-south-australias-future/story-fni6uo1m-1226828337517">hospitals</a>, tunnels, highways, airports, petrochemical plants, and office and residential buildings. But there is an identified industry need for BIM guidelines and case studies in the infrastructure sector in Australia, and these are currently being developed by the Australasian Joint Research Centre on BIM.
BIM has the potential to become more innovative and powerful by being integrated with other technologies such as RFID, barcode, laser scanning, augmented and virtual reality, energy and structural analysis tools, GIS/GPS, and mobile and cloud computing, Big Data analysis, and so on.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
How is BIM being used in Australia?
Australia is a laggard in terms of using BIM in the building and infrastructure sector, but we are catching up quickly. For oil and gas, we are leaders, as the oil and gas sector adopted 3D engineering and modelling decades ago, and has been continually improving its understanding and use of BIM over time.
A good example is Project Echo.
Initiated by Woodside Energy, Project Echo is a collaboration between Curtin University, Woodside and about 20 other partners representing government, clients, contractors, consultants and technology providers, with the aim of enhancing technology-enabled productivity for the entire (LNG) industry.
Through the research and innovation, it is envisaged a productivity improvement of 30% is very achievable. While Project Echo is focused on the energy sector, the research will also provide flow-on benefits to mining and infrastructure construction.
<img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/50204/width237/f5fzyx5v-1401857603.jpg" alt="">
Woodside Smart Tag. Xiangyu Wang
One example of how Project Echo is making an impact right now is the Woodside Smart Tag project. The new Smart Tag is not just an ordinary RFID tag, but a tag that can be integrated with other technologies including augmented and virtual reality technologies, allowing a user to communicate with equipment for the first time. The technology displays a 3D model of the component and where it fits in the construction path.
It also allows the user to locate any item, obtain background information about that item, how to assemble it, inspect it, or if necessary order a new item on the spot. This is break-through technology, because by interacting with an intelligent tag the user can communicate with each component. Each component can speak for itself, so to speak, thereby creating a smart work site.
Xiangyu Wang is professor, Woodside Chair at Curtin University.
Xiangyu Wang received funding from Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant (2013-2016): "Transforming liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant construction productivity through mobile computing technologies." Chief Investigators: Xiangyu Wang, Kok Lay Teo, Ryan Loxton, Martijn Truijens, awarded amount $500,000.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
</body></html>

jake-cSmGT7VXVf

What is BIM and is it the future of construction?

<html><body>
In general terms, in order to claim input tax credits (ITCs) under the GST system, an enterprise must be carried on. This can be a tricky issue when property developments are concerned, as two taxpayers recently found out to their detriment before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
A business needs to be carried on before claims for ITCs can be made and this is where the taxpayers ran into trouble before the AAT.
In that case, the two taxpayers failed before the AAT in a matter concerning a number of ITC claims in respect of purported acquisitions made in relation to two property developments.
The first taxpayer (a company that was the trustee of a trust) and the second taxpayer (a partnership of two individuals) claimed to have made acquisitions in relation to a 4900 acre property development near Goulburn in NSW. The first taxpayer also claimed to have made acquisitions in relation to another property development in Grenfell NSW.
Both taxpayers were registered for GST. However, the Tax Commissioner issued to both taxpayers amended assessments denying ITCs claimed on those purported acquisitions – in the first taxpayer's case, for the tax periods April 2010 to June 2011, and in the second taxpayer's case, for the tax periods April 2009 to December 2010.
The Commissioner's position was that neither taxpayer carried on an enterprise at all, so that neither of them could be entitled to any ITCs. The Commissioner also imposed a 50% administrative penalty.
The tribunal dealt mainly with the arrangements of the first property development as it was of the view the arrangements did not differ materially from the second development. The tribunal noted there had been some work done on the property; however, the parties disputed what that work consisted of, how much of it was done, who it was done for, and whether it had been paid for.
The taxpayers said they were "principal contractors to the project". The project was presumed by the tribunal to be the development of the property for eventual subdivision. However, the tribunal noted that exactly what the "principal contractors" did in respect of the property remained the subject of "quite profound mystery". It also said the same observation applied in respect of what the "principal contractors" were supposed to have acquired from various entities, described by the taxpayers as the "subcontractors", who were said to have undertaken some of development activities.
The tribunal understood the case put by the taxpayers as follows: the owner of the property engaged the principal contractors to get certain work done on the property; the principal contractors in turn engaged subcontractors to do the physical work; the subcontractors did the work and charged the work to the principal contractors; and the principal contractors bundled up the charges with a 20% mark-up and on-charged the owner of the property.
The total amount invoiced to the first taxpayer by the subcontractors (in relation to both property developments) was over $250,000. The total amount invoiced to the second taxpayer was over $820,000. However, the tribunal said the invoices themselves were "short on detail". The tribunal also noted that the Commissioner had notified the taxpayers his doubts concerning the work undertaken on the property after he was informed by the relevant council authority that approval to subdivide the property had been refused.
The tribunal said each taxpayer's claim for ITCs failed "at the most basic level". It said that an entity is not a "project manager" simply because someone says it is, and it was important that, to carry on an enterprise (thus enabling the ITC claim to potentially succeed), "an entity must do something".
The tribunal was unable to identify the "activity" that the taxpayers were undertaking in respect of the properties. It was also not satisfied that either of the taxpayers, in relation to the relevant property developments, carried on any activities "in the form of a business". A key issue identified was the difficulty the taxpayers had in articulating the arrangement between themselves, landowners and subcontractors. The AAT said it could not see that either taxpayer did much at all, beyond receiving invoices from the subcontractors and it rejected any notion that receiving invoices is relevantly an “activity”.
The tribunal member (Deputy President Frost) said the taxpayers "could not take me to any document that set out an agreement, between either of the landowners and either of the applicants, that the applicants would perform services or tasks, engage or co-ordinate third parties, or even make arrangements of any kind in relation to the development of the properties".
That, to say the least, was not helpful to the taxpayers' cause.
The tribunal was of the view the "true arrangement" was work was done for, and the supplies were made to, the owners of the properties, and that at most, the taxpayers agreed to pay for some of the supplies. The tribunal found, on the balance of probabilities, that there were "supplies" by the subcontractors; however, it was of the view that any supplies were not made by the subcontractors to the taxpayers. It said it could not see any indicators of a business being carried on. Accordingly, it held the claims for ITCs were not sustainable.
Although not required to, the tribunal also rejected the taxpayers' argument that "promissory notes" issued by them to the subcontractors for work done constituted consideration at the time of the supplies. The tribunal also affirmed the penalty at 50% of the shortfall amount.
The tribunal said the arrangement involved multiple entities, many of them not at arm's length, and that given the type of arrangement involved and its size, independent advice should have been obtained.
This case is a clear demonstration of the need to properly and fully document the operations of a business. The need to obtain clear and independent advice on any business proposition, be it property development or something else, is also a "take-away" message from this case.
Terry Hayes is the editor-in-chief of tax news reporting at <a href="https://www.thomsonreuters.com.au/" target="_blank">Thomson Reuters</a>, a leading Australian provider of tax, accounting and legal information solutions.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
Photo courtesy of Chris Tolworthy/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
</body></html>

thayes-XhNcNKLNWa

The tricky business of property development and GST credits

<html><body>
The inner Brisbane apartment market is gearing up for a record sales boom in the second half of 2014, with pre-sale stock levels moving toward the market, Urbis have recently announced.
Their Brisbane Apartment Insights report noted that strong demand over the last quarter of 2013 has reduced stock levels for 2014, with demand pushing into this year.
Senior consultant for Urbis, Paul Riga, said that they’d recorded at least six development projects selling out ahead of schedule, resulting in minimal product on the market at the beginning of the year. “Developers are desperately trying to get their projects finalised, with about 40 to 45 new apartment projects expected to be ready for sale in the second half of 2014,” Riga said.
“This equates to 5500 apartments, which is a substantial amount for the market to absorb.” 
“This is an exciting time for Brisbane as it undergoes a major change, and there’s a great opportunity for many to get into the market,” Riga said.
The first quarter of this year saw a surge in inner Brisbane for luxury new apartments, Colliers International’s research has recorded.
Of the 591 new apartment sales, across 47 projects, more than 25% were luxury offerings.
Director of residential for Colliers, Andrew Roubicek, said that apartments in the $750,000 plus price bracket saw the greatest sales volumes growth compared to the same time in 2013. In February, they had noted that <a href="/news/qld/brisbane-apartment-market-on-the-rise-colliers">the market for apartments in Brisbane was on the rise</a>.
Apartments priced at $900,000 plus totaled 17% of sales.
The price breakdown can be seen below:
<img src="data:image/png;base64,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" alt="">
Source: Colliers International
They noted that the Abian development sold the most apartments in the first quarter, with 108 residences sold valued at $144 million, including the sale of two sky homes priced up to $5 million.
“On top of the robust demand from owner occupiers, the investment market remains a key driver of apartment sales activity in inner Brisbane,” he said.
“Due to the strong sales performance of premium stock the weighted average sale price for a new apartment in inner Brisbane has increased to $715,000, 25% above the five year average.”
Meanwhile, senior research analyst for Colliers, Alex Beer, said that 5,400 apartments have been approved in the 12 months to the end of March, the most experienced in a decade.
Of these, 1,198 were granted approval in the first quarter of 2014.
“About 3,200 apartments are expected to be released for sale this year as apartment living in the city increases, particularly in South Brisbane, Newstead, Hamilton and Albion,” said Beer.
“The volume of projects reaching completion may place upward pressure on residential vacancy.”
The off the plan Brisbane market, according to BIS Shrapnel, is <a href="/news/qld/investor-warning-brisbane-apartment-prices-expected-to-soften-in-2015-2016">expected to soften in 2016</a>.
Subdued rent and prices are then expected to be seen by 2016, as a historic peak is seen in the inner Brisbane apartment market, with the potential to ease supply strains.
Senior project manager and report author for BIS Shrapnel, Angie Zigomanis, said that the inner Brisbane apartments are increasingly attractive with yields in many of these projects around the 5% mark and above.
“However, with many expecting that the Brisbane market has now bottomed out and the risk of further price declines is dissipating, the impetus to enter the market has increased,” said Zigomanis.
The South Brisbane new development <a href="https://www.spiceapartments.com.au/contact%20" target="_blank">Spice Apartments in Brisbane</a> are set for a launch in nine days. It includes one-bedroom apartments from $425,000, two-bedroom from $495,000 and three-bedroom from $685,000.
An $85 million mixed-use residential tower, <a href="/expert-insights/buying/brisbane-s-trafalgar-lane-brings-melbourne-inspired-laneway-feel">Trafalgar Lane, at Woolloongabba</a>, was also launched last month.
</body></html>

Brisbane apartment market to boom in second half of 2014: Urbis

<html><body>
Chapel Street's next big redevelopment appears set for the Chapel Plaza.
An application for demolition of the existing building and construction of a twelve storey apartment building, has been lodged with Stonnington Council.
There will be 188 apartments, retail floor space, and commercial office space over a three storey basement accommodating car parking.
It sits between Toorak and Malvern Roads.
Plans for the $63 million have been lodged by SJB for the 402 to 416 Chapel Street holding. The property comes with Simmons Court and Bray Street frontage that totals around 3,700 square metres.
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-south+yarra-5956326" target="_blank">The property</a> last traded in 1983 at $1.51 million when bought by Ruben Fried, who died in 2009.
Spotlight, the Melbourne-based chain of 100 fabrics and homewards stores, was founded by brothers, Ruben Fried and Morry Fraid, having grown from one store in 1973. The company reported annual sales of $600 million at one point when employing about 6,000 staff. 
The BRW Rich List noted in the late 1980s that the brothers Ruben Fried and Morry Fraid had different surnames because of a "teacher's mistake during their school years".
They have never bothered to correct it.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Chapel Plaza set for 12 storey replacement development

<html><body>
Serra Property Group are offering a free scooter with their one-bedroom apartments. The <a href="https://38highst.com.au/" target="_blank">38 High Street</a> Toowong, Queensland development (pictured above) does not come with car parks.
Bruce Goddard, marketing the properties through Place Projects, notes that buyers don’t need a car.
“There are a multitude of public transport options, with a bus stop just 10 metres away, the Toowong train station 50-metres away and the CityCat located 500 metres away, and being an inner city suburb, situated only a few kilometres from the CBD, it’s very easy to get around,” said Goddard.
The scooters provide an “added convenience” he said, with the developer only recently introducing the incentive. He noted it had been well received so far.
“You don’t need a motorbike licence to operate the scooter, only a car licence, so it appeals to most people, and we’re throwing in not only the scooter, but also a year’s registration and a helmet,” he said.
The remaining property includes half of the scooter-eligible one-bedroom apartments, and half two-bedroom apartments. They range from 51 square metres to 87 square metres and are priced from $378,000 to $795,000.
This isn’t the first time a developer has thought up the scooter enticement.
In a South Yarra development from Spec Property Group, <a href="/news/vic/vespa-offer-to-entice-buyers-to-south-yarra-one-bedroom-apartments">buyers were being offered a Vespa on the one-bedroom apartments</a>. Up to 20 were on offer, however these apartments – without car spaces – did come with scooter spaces.
Those one-bedroom apartments ranged from $339,000 to $445,000, between 39 square metres and 45 square metres.
Notably, Vespas are worth from $4,000 to $9,500, depending on the model.
The Vespa incentive first appeared in Jacksonville Florida, with buyers at the Chelsea Lofts being able to choose between receiving a Vespa, having their homeowner association fees paid for a year or getting a plasma TV.
Another popular buying incentive, this time offered on established properties, was in the form of food. Or, more specifically, ice cream.
A year’s supply was on offer for the <a href="/news/an-ice-cream-auction-incentive-to-entice-prospective-buyers">buyer of a newly renovated Albert Park house</a>.
This same technique was used <a href="/news/nsw/ice-cream-giveaway-with-camperdown-cottage-offering">six months earlier for the sale of a Camperdown cottage</a>.
Here are some examples of incentives previously offered by developers, from <a href="/expert-insights/building/from-10-000-to-50-000-residential-developers-tempt-buyers-with-incentives">covering your mortgage repayments to doubling your deposit</a>.
Developers have also been known to offer <a href="/expert-insights/building/new-cars-10-000-cheques-and-free-home-size-upgrades-six-spring-incentives-from-house-and-land-developers-and-builders">anything from cars, to providing you the property without a deposit</a>.
Property Observer readers were previously of the opinion that offerings in the form of incentives, such as <a href="/news/frequent-flyer-points-might-be-a-gimmick-but-will-off-the-plan-buyers-be-attracted-by-the-incentives">the trend of providing frequent flyer points based on the value of the purchase</a>, would indeed entice buyers. Of those who were polled, 71.4% said 'Yes', buyers would be tempted.
</body></html>

New Developments

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

New Developments

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News