There’s a quiet patch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>, between the bustle of Glenferrie Road and the curve of the Yarra, that rarely sees change, and even more rarely, new apartments. But that’s exactly where <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pomeroy-pacific-quattro-corp">PQD</a> is planting Kooyongkoot: a deliberate, 18-residence answer to the question of what downsizers actually want.

“This is something this pocket of Hawthorn has never seen before,” says Fil Gacesa, head of sales at PQD. “<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> will deliver just 18 large-scale apartments in the heart of Hawthorn. It is the true definition of resort-style living.”

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That scale is central to the story. It’s what allows for two dedicated lift cores, short corridors, and a generous lightcourt that draws natural ventilation and sunlight into every residence. It’s also what makes room for the sort of amenity usually confined to high-density towers: a fully equipped wellness centre with infrared and traditional saunas, yoga and pilates studio, cold therapy shower, and treatment room. There’s a golf simulator, car and dog wash stations, and extensive storage too, not bolted on, but baked in from the start.

But more than the checklist, it’s the design intent that carries weight. “This project has been many years in the making,” says Mark Pomeroy, Director of PQD. “Not just in planning, but in listening, to what our buyers and the local community are looking for”.

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That listening shows up in the materials, oak floors, natural stone, V-ZUG appliances, and in how space is handled. Penthouses feature private rooftop terraces with pools. Terraces and garden residences embrace outdoor connection. Inside, the layouts skew large and open, geared for hosting, not just housing.

Architecturally, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>’s approach is grounded. There’s no reaching for spectacle here. Instead, the building offers a sculptural calm, anchored by landscaping from Eckersley Garden Architecture.&nbsp;

“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

That sentiment, calm, connection, echoes in the location itself. Kooyongkoot sits just a short stroll from Central Gardens, Fairview Park, and the Rivoli Cinema. Tram lines and schools are close, but the street is tucked, quiet, and leaf-lined.&nbsp;

“Residents of Kooyongkoot will be a short stroll from Fairview Park, Central Gardens, and the Glenferrie Road retail strip," Gacesa notes, "but you're also cocooned in this peaceful pocket behind extensive landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture.”

Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Staff Writer

The project that said no to compromise: Inside Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn

When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;

Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.

That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.

“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”

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Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;

They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.

Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.

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The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.

Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.

“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.

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Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.

“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”

With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.

Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;

The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;

At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.

Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.

According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.

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The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.

The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" />

The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.

Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.

With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter. 
&nbsp; 
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358868]

The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;

Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.

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Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;

Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358862]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.

“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.

“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;

“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”

For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.

“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.

“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292862]

Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;

“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.

“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;

“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.

“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;

“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]

Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.

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Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;

With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.

GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Ten ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]

The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.

Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333366]

“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;

“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”

Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.

Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.

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Bask to complete Bokarina’s Sunshine Coast lifestyle precinct as final apartments are released

Property Settlement

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Prospective Australian home buyers can breathe a sigh of relief, with industry experts predicting a drop in the costs associated with property settlement after the launch of new legal technology provider, The Search People. 
The entry of the first low-cost player in the Australian market offers an alternative to the notoriously expensive options that currently dominate the legal technology landscape. 
Numerous participants in the current technology market hold legal and conveyancing professionals hostage, with few providers offering a comprehensive suite of market-leading technology at an affordable price. 
The current price of some property information and legal technology providers is, to be quite honest exorbitant, and it’s consumers who suffer.
Lawyers and conveyancers are forced to pass on the high cost of this information and technology during the settlement process. 
Many of these buyers have already spent years saving for a deposit, and then have to spend thousands on the settlement process – it’s understandably disappointing. 
Professionals that choose The Search People to fulfil their technology and information needs can avoid high fees charged by other providers, and pass on this cost saving to consumers, making the Australian dream more achievable than ever before. 
We are proudly offering the best technology at an affordable price to disrupt the market and bring benefits to legal professionals and consumers alike. 
Consumers currently have two main ways to pay for property settlement services, and they should expect a reduction in costs under both payment models. 
The first option is for consumers to pay a lump sum plus the cost of property search fees to a lawyer, who manages the property purchasing process on the buyer’s behalf. 
The other option is for buyers to pay an all-inclusive price, which covers the conveyancer’s fees and includes the cost of property search fees.
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Regardless of which option buyers choose, they should see a reduction in costs if they choose to engage a professional that uses The Search People. 
Our technology provides legal and property professionals with the opportunity to gain a competitive edge and offer a lower price, so take advantage of this and shop around. 
Don’t be afraid to seek out a deal – consumers benefit the most from increased competition, and we are determined to stand up against the predatory behavior that has been accepted in the industry for so long. 
For buyers, that means more money in their pockets to pay off their mortgage sooner or furnish their new home.
Rafe Berding is the CEO of The Search People, an Australian technology provider offering online access to 5,000+ legal searches and access to the latest industry innovations, including electronic conveyancing, digital signing and Verification of Identity tools.
It is backed by leading technology company GlobalX and leverages the latest innovations available in the market. 
To find out more about The Search People, <a href="https://thesearchpeople.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

The Search People to offer home buyers cheaper property settlement services

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The ASX has announced it is partnering with Australian Technology Innovators (ATI), the parent company of InfoTrack, to create Sympli, a national electronic property settlement service.
The service will offer lawyers, conveyancers and financial institutions a more streamlined and comprehensive technology solution.
The ASX advises it will seamlessly integrate with clients' existing practices and systems.
The service, owned 50:50 by ASX and ATI, is, subject to regulatory approvals, expected to begin operations towards the end of the year.
The ASX says the electronic property settlement industry in Australia is estimated to have potential revenues in excess of $200 million.
ASX expects to invest around $30 million in the new venture of this and the next two financial years.
It will comrpise around $7 million in 2018, with further investments in 2019 and 2020. The ASX estimates Sympli will break-even in the 2021 financial year.
Below is the ASX executive summary. Click here <a href="https://edge.alluremedia.com.au/uploads/businessinsider/2018/05/asx-settlements.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img class="size_primary" src="https://edge.alluremedia.com.au/uploads/businessinsider/2018/05/asx-settlements.jpg" alt="">
ASX managing director and CEO Dominic Stevens said entering the electronic property settlement market is a natural evolution for ASX.
"We already settle approximately $70 billion in transactions electronically every day and have been the central settlement venue for the Australian financial market for decades," Stevens said.
"InfoTrack is the ideal partner as the market leader in legal and property search.
"It has 18 years’ experience and brings a deep understanding of, and connectivity to, the property conveyancing industry.
He said Sympli is an "exciting opportunity."
"Combining the experience and expertise of both shareholders will enable Sympli to provide a compelling offering, which we believe will allow users to easily realise the efficiencies of electronic property settlements.”
 
 
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ASX to create electronic property settlement platform Sympli

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SAI Global are reminding all of its customers to remain vigilant regarding suspicious emails and links.
It has recently been broadly publicised within the industry that fraudsters are working to gain access to law practice or conveyancing accounts with the intent to commit fraudulent activity. SAI Global has been made aware of an apparent attempt with one of its customers.
The customers were asked to reset their password from an email posing as SAI Global.
"We are currently investigating this incident as a matter of urgency."
It recommend actions to reduce instances of fraud and loss when it comes to property settlements.   "It is prudent to call (not email) all clients and warn them to not transfer funds based on electronic disbursement instructions purportedly from your business without first calling you (on a separately verified number) to confirm details.   "It is prudent to not transfer any funds from your practice (EFT or direct banking) before you confirm directly with clients (by phone call) any instructions received electronically purporting to be from them regarding the disbursement or receipt of funds."
Recent issues have emerged in SA and WA. 
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SAI Global warn of heightened settlement fraud  risk

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Ian Romi, also known as Naim Rahimi, has been placed him on a good behaviour bond for two years after pleading guilty to the disposal of property sale funds prior to bankruptcy.
He pleased gulf to making a false declaration in his bankruptcy Statement of Affairs.
In July 2014, Mr Romi received $30,000 as a result of a property settlement.
Within two weeks he had withdrawn $24,000 in cash from his account, using $10,000 for a holiday and gambling the balance at a casino.
This money should have been used to pay his creditors, the Australian Financial Security Authority advised.
Rahimi was sentenced on 22 November 2017 at the Brisbane Magistrates Court. 
On 28 July 2014, Mr Romi filed for voluntary bankruptcy with debts in excess of $113,000.
He failed to disclose in his Statement of Affairs that he had sold a house in 2013, that he had made a profit in relation to the sale of another house and that he had transferred ownership of motor vehicles prior to bankruptcy.
In an interview with AFSA investigators, Mr Romi admitted he received the $30,000 prior to bankruptcy and just ‘blew it.’
Magistrate Quinn convicted Mr Romi and placed him on a good behaviour bond for two years. In sentencing, the Magistrate considered Mr Romi’s early plea which indicated his remorse, his cooperation and the fact that he had no previous convictions.
The matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Australian Financial Security Authority.
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Bankrupt failed to declare property sale proceeds pocketed before bankruptcy

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Actor Russell Crowe has been busy over summer tidying up his property empire, as he works towards a belated matrimonial property settlement.
He has quietly sold his Kingsford apartment block, an investment he picked up 15 years ago.
It was the three storey, four unit Wallace Street block that he was allowing his former 30 Odd Foot of Grunts band mates to live in rent free.
Crowe secured $3.2 million in an off-market deal for the Wallace Street building that cost him $1,454,000 in 2001, four years before the band unofficially dissolved.
It has been bought by a company associated with Hunters Hill based, PWC Australia partner Jason Habak and wife Linda.
In November the Sydney Confidential gleaned that Crowe was finally proposing to turf out his former band mates who had been living in the 1912 apartment block prey much rent free for the last 15 years.
The Gladiator star is understood to have told the musicians four years ago that it would be used 'as part of a divorce settlement', with his now ex-wife Danielle Spencer.
One of the two bedroom apartments in the block has just been listed for rent at $725 a week, marketed as 'freshly renovated'.
Crowe and friend Billy Dean Cochran formed Roman Antix in the 1980s, which later became the more well known Australian rock band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts (also known as TOFOG).
In 1992 the band was formed and Crowe was the frontman, performing lead vocals and guitar. They played shows in London, LA and Texas in 2000.
There are whispers that the next property to go is Crowe's Riley Street commercial building in Darlinghurst.
Currently operating as 98 Riley Street Gym, the 667 sqm parcel cost Crowe $3,875,000 in 2004. The interior designer Blainey North has undertaken its fitout.
The Oscar award-winning actor has also listed his Woolloomooloo Wharf penthouse listing on which he had elevated price expectations - possibly even $30 million.
The luxury car dealer Neville Crichton, who sold his Point Piper home for $62 million in last year's biggest sale in Australia, was keen to buy the trophy apartment.
But Crichton, who wanted to downsize to spend more time in his homeland New Zealand, had hoped to pick it up for $25 million.
He has instead turned his buying intention to the $33 million Zamel home on the Point Piper harbourfront which Bill Malouf at LJ Hooker Double Bay had on his books. It had been for sale since 2014.
Western Australian mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forest also had a look around the Finger Wharf apartment which set a record in 2003 when Crowe and Danielle paid $14.35 million.
No other apartment comes close in size with some 1000 sqm at the tip of the Finger Wharf.
The offering includes a 35 metre marina berth and seven car spaces.
Crowe was only the second owner of the property, having bought the home from Nutrimetics founder Imelda Roche and her husband, property developer Bill Roche, who paid $9.8 million off the plan in 1998.
The recent relationship Danielle has with her beau Ad Long has triggered the decision to sell much of their property portfolio.
In 2011 Crowe and Spencer spent $10 million on the Rose Bay trophy home, Te Puke after a four-year search, which remains in both of their names.
It has been Spencer's home since their separation.
Crowe retains his 320-hectare property in Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour.  
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
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Actor Russell Crowe sells Kingsford apartment block

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GUEST OBSERVER
The time taken from the commencement of proceedings in the Family Court of Western Australia was 108 weeks for the 12 months ending August 2013, 92 weeks for the 12 months ending August 2014 and 89 weeks for the 12 months ending August 2015.
Rather than wait almost two years for your case to be heard and determined by a judicial officer of the Family Court, you can take control of the outcome of your case by participating in a mediation-style conference.
Mediation does not require the preparation of expensive court documents and your attendance at court. Mediation may potentially achieve a prompt outcome.
Participating in mediation before commencing proceedings in the Family Court is not mandatory.
However, in 2012 the Family Court of Western Australia issued a directive to family law practitioners which confirmed that at the first Court hearing for property settlement matters where all parties are legally represented, practitioners would be expected to:
have considered arranging private mediation style conferencing;
provide to the presiding judicial officer the timeframe for the conferencing to allow an appropriate adjournment date to be given; and
if such conferencing is not considered appropriate, advise the presiding judicial officer of the relevant reasons.<a href="https://www.carrco.com.au/mediation-property-settlement-cases/#_ftn1">[1]</a>
Who will be the mediator? 
Mediation can be conducted by:
<ul>
<li>a Government funded organisation; or</li>
<li>a private mediator (a person trained and qualified to conduct mediation).</li>
</ul>
Many family lawyers are also trained and qualified mediators. If a family lawyer is appointed as your mediator, you can expect that they will have a sound understanding of the issues in your case.
The practice in Western Australia amongst family lawyers is that one party nominates a pool of mediators that they propose be appointed. The other party then selects from the pool or in some cases, proposes alternative mediators. The parties ordinarily agree the identity of the mediator. In some cases, however, the Family Court determines who will conduct mediation if the parties cannot agree.
Who attends mediation? 
The parties, their family lawyers and the mediator attend mediation.
It is possible to have a support person present at the location where the mediation occurs, but that person does not directly participate in the process.
Do I have to be in the same room as my ex?
Ordinarily mediation occurs with the parties, their family lawyers and the mediator in one conference room.
Throughout the course of the mediation there are numerous scheduled breaks where parties ‘break out’ into separate rooms to consult their family lawyer privately to obtain advice, discuss options and settlement proposals.
Mediation can be conducted on a ‘shuttle’ basis, which means that the parties are in separate rooms and the mediator moves between the rooms during the mediation. A ‘shuttle’ mediation is usually reserved for exceptional cases.
If you are concerned about your safety or being in the same room as your ex, you should ask your family lawyer about your options, but a ‘shuttle’ mediation may be appropriate.
How long will mediation take? 
Mediation is generally scheduled for a half-day or full-day session.
The process of agreeing a mediator, scheduling a convenient date to all parties, preparation and participating in mediation may take several weeks, or in some cases months.
Both parties and their respective lawyers meet with the mediator individually for what is known as an ‘intake session’. This allows the mediator to meet the parties, to obtain an overview of the issues in dispute, assess any risk factors and explain the mediation process.
It is possible for more than one mediation session to occur if there are matters that need to be discussed further or reviewed.
How much does mediation cost?
The cost of engaging a mediator varies according to:
<ul>
<li>whether mediation is to take place for a half-day or full-day; and</li>
<li>who is engaged.</li>
</ul>
You could expect the costs of engaging a mediator for a full-day conference to be between $2,000 – $5,000 (plus GST).
Some mediators offer mediation services for reduced fees in cases involving a modest pool of assets (below $750,000).
Who pays for mediation?
In most cases the costs of engaging a mediator are shared equally between the parties.
There is no regulation which stipulates that the costs are to be shared.
In some instances a financially superior party will meet the costs of engaging a mediator. Sometimes a financially inferior party contributes their share of the mediator’s costs out of their property settlement.
What will mediation achieve?
If an agreement is reached your family lawyer will assist you to evidence an agreement, for example by preparing a minute of consent orders that the parties can sign. The consent orders will then be lodged at the Family Court to make the agreement reached binding.
If the parties are unable to reach an overall agreement to resolve all matters in dispute, mediation can achieve agreement in relation to:
<ul>
<li>obtaining valuations;</li>
<li>partial property settlement; or</li>
<li>how the matter will progress to a trial in the Family Court.</li>
</ul>
Benefits of mediation:
Some of the benefits of mediation include:
<ul>
<li>it is confidential;</li>
<li>it is a fast and effective first step to resolving a dispute;</li>
<li>if an agreement is reached it saves the time, money and potential stress of Family Court proceedings;</li>
<li>it is a more structured and dynamic form of dispute resolution than ordinary negotiation;</li>
<li>it increases the control the parties have over the decision – if a dispute goes to Court, the decision will be left to the judicial officer;</li>
<li>compliance with agreements reached through mediation are usually high due to the fact that the decision was mutually agreed; and</li>
<li>the option of commencing proceedings in the Family Court will not be compromised if mediation is unsuccessful.</li>
</ul>
For further information contact Carr &amp; Co <a href="https://www.carrco.com.au/">here</a>.
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