Castle Hill’s booming development market is set for another boost, with builder-developer Buildex proposing a new mid-rise apartment building near Castle Towers.

Buildex has submitted plans to The Hills Shire Council for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/197-old-northern-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">nine-storey building comprising 57 apartments</a> on Old Northern Road. The company acquired two adjoining sites earlier this year, totalling more than 2,683 sqm.

Texco Design has prepared the scheme, which includes five one-bed plus study apartments, 37 two-bedrooms, and 15 three-bedrooms.

Castle Hill has become a hotspot for developers in recent years, undergoing significant transformation driven by the opening of the Hills Showground Precinct to development and the introduction of two metro stations servicing the suburb.

Developers including Deicorp and Kassis Homes have already completed projects, and are progressing future developments, while Meriton, Arada, and Ellipse are currently delivering new projects in the rapidly evolving area.

Staff Writer

First look: Buildex plans 57 apartments near Castle Towers

Gold Coast developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/immerse-projects">Immerse Projects</a>&nbsp;has unveiled what it intends to deliver at its recently acquired Toowong site, its debut apartment development in Brisbane.

Immerse, founded by John Kearney who is also the founder of regarded construction company Greyburn, secured the prime Sylvan Road site <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-immerse-projects-moves-into-brisbane-apartment-market-with-toowong-site-acquisition">earlier this year</a>, in an area which has historical significance to Kearney who&nbsp;studied at the nearby University of Queensland.

"It feels like a full circle moment," Kearney told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/" target="">Apartments.com.au</a>.&nbsp;

“I spent many nights at the Regatta Hotel just down the road, as have most people in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brisbane-qld" target="">Brisbane</a>. It’s one of the city’s most well-known hotels, and with several cafes, restaurants, and a CityCat stop nearby, it’s become an even more attractive place to live.”

He is planning a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/22-24-sylvan-road-toowong-qld-4066">15-storey project with 88 apartments</a> above an activated ground plane with a shop and hospitality spaces.

<img alt="Toowong podium" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c350436b-9d64-46cc-ab6f-defc009e1b65" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium_0.png?VersionId=zt7A0_14M62TkZ61YHnGmEck9KM9HqDA" />

The architecture, led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, presents a tower massing that responds to the area's evolving mid-rise context. The scheme incorporates podium and rooftop communal spaces, while the commercial elements aim to activate the Sylvan Road frontage and enhance the site's interface with the adjacent parkland.&nbsp;

Landscaping plans by Ivy May Landscape Architects include subtropical planting and deep soil zones to support stormwater management and visual integration.

Supporting documentation from Mewing Planning Consultants notes that "the proposed development will deliver a mixed-use outcome that enhances the vibrancy of the Sylvan Road corridor" and highlights its proximity to high-frequency public transport and community facilities.

<img alt="First look: Immerse Projects moves into Brisbane apartment market with Toowong site acquisition" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22-24%20Sylvan%20%20Rd%20Toowong_Markups.jpg?VersionId=u4_IGzpYLPFfAZSsgCZynov3bm7umwJ." />

&nbsp;

There's been little new apartment development in Toowong in recent years. The most notable is Consolidated Properties two-tower Monarch Residences, which is approaching completion with nearly all of its 224 residences sold.

Kearney describes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066" target="">Toowong</a>&nbsp;as a suburb with real depth.

"The suburb attracts everyone, from students to retirees, and that's what makes it interesting."

Joel Robinson

First look: Immerse Projects reveals debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hyecorp-property-group">Hyecorp</a> is down to its final three-bedroom apartments at Audrey, the developer’s parkside St Leonards South project, pairing the remaining homes with a limited-time offer.

The developer is extending a five per cent deposit and a $50,000 settlement rebate on selected apartments, aiming to help owner-occupiers secure one of the final homes ahead of move-in in early 2026.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

Located on Canb​erra Avenue opposite Newlands Park, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/audrey-st-leonards-13-19-canberra-avenue-st-leonards-nsw-2065">Audrey</a> comprises 102 residences, including a mix of three-bedroom residences and a double-storey, five-bedroom terrace with two outdoor areas.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/north-shore-property-construction">North Shore Property Construction</a>, the project reflects Hyecorp’s focus on owner-occupier planning, with open-plan layouts, extensive storage integration, and a material palette built around stone, oak timber flooring and bespoke joinery. Many of the three-bedroom apartments capture views toward the city and Harbour Bridge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=207373]

Hyecorp’s internal design team, Jackson Teece, has emphasised a consistent level of specification across the building, including Miele appliances, integrated refrigeration, brushed metal tapware and large-format stone detailing that conceals cabinetry.

The Tiffany Collection, crowning the development on Levels 12 to 15, features added luxury of fluted standalone baths, heated bathroom floors, custom walk-in robes and upgraded appliance packages across its spacious 155 to 159 sqm homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=301367]

Beyond the private residences, Audrey carries a strong amenity focus. Residents have access to an indoor lap pool and spa, personal training studio, private cinema, music room and private dining room.

A landscaped rooftop terrace with CBD views anchors the communal offering, complemented by an onsite café and an integrated daycare centre within the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=198680]

The location continues to be a drawcard for buyers, with new retail additions at Mall 88, including Coles, alongside Woolworths and the established offerings of Forum Plaza. St Leonards Station and Crows Nest Metro is within easy reach, as are local health precincts such as the Royal North Shore Public and Private Hospitals. Nearby green spaces include Newlands Park, Gore Hill Oval and Naremburn Park, supporting strong day-to-day amenity for families and downsizers alike.

Hyecorp is expected to welcome residents to Hyecorp in early 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=110379]

Audrey St Leonards nears completion – settlement bonus now available

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a>&nbsp;has been given the green light to develop its flagship mixed-use project in the Crows Nest metro precinct.

The NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority approved the 40-storey tower, aligning with the NSW Government's Transport Oriented Development (TOD) agenda to deliver more homes in highly connected, high amenity locations.

The $600 million tower, at 378-398 Pacific Highway, will comprise 178 apartments with resident amenities, two levels of commercial offices, and a curated retail offering. Freecity will also dedicate a 10 percent Affordable Housing Contribution, supporting the Governments broader housing objectives.

<img alt="Freecity Crows Nest" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4de9b03b-e8aa-4929-b3f1-6747acbe6b73" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20Crows%20Nest%20Project.jpg?VersionId=oWwFWxGj_oUFEYX4j_qRFdSzcShLw3DG" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the tower will offer a diverse residential mix, from one-bedroom homes to expansive four-bedroom penthouses, all crafted to maximise light, views and liveability.

Lawrence Zheng, Co-Founder and Joint CEO of Freecity Group, said the approval represents a significant step forward for both Crows Nest and Freecity.

"We are proud to be delivering a landmark project that brings new homes, new amenity and new economic activity to one of Sydney’s most strategically connected locations,"&nbsp;Zheng said.

"With our $6 billion pipeline of 12 mixed-use projects, this development reinforces Freecity’s commitment to helping deliver the housing supply and transport-integrated precincts the Government is championing.”

Michael Romano, Executive Director of Development, said the companies focus is on "creating places that genuinely enhance how people live day to day - communities that balance accessibility, amenity and neighbourhood vibrancy.”

“This project reflects the future of urban living - design led, highly liveable and seamlessly connected to the city’s major transport, employment and education hubs. Being directly opposite the Crows Nest Metro means residents can access the best of Sydney with unrivalled convenience."

&nbsp;

Freecity secures approval for Crows Nest metro precinct tower

The Bedford by Mosaic marks the culmination of a near-decade journey for South East Queensland’s most active developer.

Mosaic Founder and CEO, Brook Monahan, said the company first identified the prime Prospect Street, Kangaroo Point site in 2016 as an A-grade opportunity they were eager to secure. They almost bought it at the time, before it was ultimately acquired by Woolworths’ development arm, Fabcot.

The opportunity resurfaced late last year when the site, vacant for nearly three decades, was offered for sale again.

Backed by years of history, feasibility research, and detailed product planning for the 3,195 sqm corner site, Mosaic was able to move swiftly. The Bedford by Mosaic is now proving a clear market success, unsurprising given the depth of work the developer had undertaken on the location and potential density mix well before they owned the land.

Active across both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and with a development pipeline more than $2 billion, Mosaic has already sold 90 per cent of apartments in what has become the area’s most significant residential addition in more than a decade.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=328119]

Designed by BDA Architecture, The Bedford comprises 128 two- and three-bedroom apartments, including the Masterpiece Series Skyhomes across the top two levels. These residences offer the largest floorplans and the best views over the river and city. Premium inclusions—such as natural stone benchtops, bespoke cabinetry, and Miele appliances, feature in every apartment, not just the top-tier offerings.

A defining feature of The Bedford is its integrated mixed-use component, set to deliver Kangaroo Point’s first Woolworths supermarket, along with a café and liquor store, bringing long-awaited convenience to the peninsula.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=355673]

Residents will also enjoy one of Brisbane’s most comprehensive amenity collections. Dubbed the Rooftop Recreation &amp; Retreat Sky Terrace, the wellness-focused spaces include a resort-style pool with sun deck, an indoor/outdoor gym, spa, sauna, steam room and cold plunge.

Additional amenities include a residents’ lounge and relaxation zones, a private dining room with kitchen, barbecue areas, landscaped gardens, an outdoor viewing deck capturing city and river views, and a bookable golf simulator.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=355681]

The remaining residences at The Bedford span the upper levels of the building and include two- and three-bedroom floorplans, which start from $1,645,000.

Mosaic's in-house building arm has already commenced construction on The Bedford. They estimate a late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=328121]

Monahan notes that Mosaic’s most successful projects often begin years before the first plans are drawn. Their new South Brisbane development is no exception, initially making it onto their radar in 2018.

“We aren’t opportunistic,” Monahan says. “Every site purchase is well considered and thought out. As seen with Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane, it can take years to eventuate. There are sites we are looking at now that we might not secure for several years.”

Mosaic is set to launch its new South Brisbane project&nbsp;in the next year, while its latest Gold Coast development,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/josephine-by-mosaic-166-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Josephine</a>, is coming soon to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134792]

A decade in the making: Mosaic's long-awaited success story at The Bedford, Kangaroo Point

Rates

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St.George Bank Group has introduced a new competitive rate of 4.19% p.a. for its Basic Home Loan across St George , Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA. The promotional rate, effective from 1 July 2015, is available to new owner occupier Basic Home Loan applications and for existing customers switching into a new fixed rate.
Mozo reported no rate changes by the major banks in the home loan arena, but there were some more variable RBA rate cuts over June, as a result of the RBA cutting the official cash rate to 2% in May.
"The lowest variable rate of 3.94% is available from <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/information/homestar/Basic-Refinance-Loan-Principal-&amp;-Interest,-Owner-Occupier/5514" target="_blank">Homestar</a> (owner occupier refinancing with LVR up to 70%) and Mortgage House (owner occupier with LVR up to 50%). 3.98% is the next best, available from both Homestar (up to 95% LVR) and Freedomlend (up to 80% LVR)," Mozo advised this week.
"Over June we started to see longer term fixed rates creep up, with 10 lenders increasing rates for terms of three years or longer. 
"We expect this trend will continue, however many long term rates haven’t moved yet and there’s plenty of competition for 1 and 2 year rates," <a href="https://mozo.com.au/blog/2015/07/mozo-rate-chasers-roundup-june-2015/" target="_blank">the Mozo rate chasers blog noted</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Long term fixed rates crept up for June home borrowers: Mozo

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Australia's capital city dwelling values were 9.8% higher over the financial year, according to the latest CoreLogic RP Data update. The previous 2013/14 financial year recorded a slightly higher rate of growth at 10.1%.  
Housing values rebounded in across the June quarter with dwelling values rising 2.0%t to be 9.8% higher over the year. 
The rate of capital gain was slightly higher over the second half of the year (5.1%) compared with the first half (4.5%) highlighting that the housing market has gathered some momentum during 2015, CoreLogic RP Data’s head of research, Tim Lawless, who believes the interest rates cuts in February and May have contributed in pushing capital gains higher. 
“Growth conditions had been moderating from April last year through to the end of January 2015.
"With the RBA cutting the cash rate in February, there was an instant buyer reaction across the Sydney and Melbourne housing markets where auction clearance rates surged back to levels not seen since 2009.
"Capital gains once again accelerated and we are now seeing Sydney and Melbourne homes selling in record time; Sydney homes are selling in just 26 days and Melbourne homes are selling in 32 days.” 
But while Sydney and Melbourne have seen dwelling values increase by 16.2% and 10.2% over the financial year respectively, every other capital city has seen growth of less than 5 per cent and dwelling values are down over the year in Darwin (-2.9%) and Perth (-0.9%). 
<a href="/images/2015/07/01/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-01%20at%209.58.14%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/01/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-01%20at%209.58.14%20AM.png" alt="">
Since dwelling values started rising in May 2012, Sydney dwellings have seen a 43.1% surge in values and Melbourne values are up by 25.9%. 
Despite emerging softer market conditions in Perth, dwelling values are currently up 12.8% over the cycle which represents the third highest growth rate across the capitals. 
"Simultaneously, Brisbane’s property market has shown the fourth highest rate of growth at 12.4%, followed by Adelaide (10.4%), Hobart (9.6%), Darwin (8.9%) and Canberra (8.8%). 
“The three tiers of housing market performance can be best explained by economic and demographic factors where it’s no coincidence that New South Wales and Victoria are recording the strongest economic conditions coupled with the strongest rates of migration which is fuelling housing demand. 
"Looking forward to the next financial year, Mr Lawless said it is difficult to imagine Sydney maintaining such a rapid pace of capital gains.
“Not only is affordability becoming a challenge for many sectors of the market, but yields are substantially compressed, rents are hardly moving and investors are facing tighter financing conditions from lenders.
“In the absence of a trigger event, such as a sharp rise in the jobless rate, higher interest rates or an external shock, it is unlikely we will experience a significant correction in dwelling values.
"However, the longer this run of growth continues across our largest capital cities, the more susceptible the housing market becomes to changes in the economy or broadly across household finance,” Tim Lawless said.<a href="/images/2015/07/01/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-01%20at%209.58.14%20AM.png" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </a>
 
{mijopolls 118}
 
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Price growth second-wind spurt the RBA's doing: CoreLogic RP Data's Tim Lawless

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Auswide Bank has announced a 3.99% per annum variable home loan interest rate. 
Auswide Bank managing director Martin Barrett says this rate was available for purchase, construction and refinance purposes on new principal and interest home loans of $150,000 for LVR’s up to 90%.   “It includes a 100% offset account and the ability to fix when you want to,” said Barrett. 
Martin Barrett says this rate is the lowest advertised home loan rate offered<a href="https://www.auswidebank.com.au/uploads/pdfs/lib/loan_interest_rates_home_loans_and_lines_of_credit_with_freedom_package_special_offer.pdf?1506B" target="_blank"> in the bank’s history</a>.
Last month Auswide Bank was awarded a five-star rating from Canstar on its Freedom Package home loan products. The non-major received the outstanding value accolade for both its residential and investment variable home loans with the Freedom Package. The Home Loan Star Ratings Report looks at over 100 lenders and over 1,000 loan products to determine which providers and products offer outstanding value for borrowers.
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Auswide Bank offers 3.99% variable rate

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Returns on commercial property in Melbourne and Sydney exceeded those in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, according to the Property Council/IPD Australia All Property Index for the year to March 31.
The average total return was 10.7% – 6.9% in income and 3.5% in capital growth, the Australian Financial Review noted.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">
It was up from 10.4% in the year to December 2014, with an improvement in capital return due to ongoing compression in cap rates.
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">
Industrial real estate had the best annual return, up to 12.4% with NSW having the highest 13.9% return with Queensland next with 11.7%. 
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section"> </div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Retail property showed the next best return, up 10.9%. </div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Office property returns were up 10.2%. 
The Property Council/IPD Australia All Property Index was prepared by MSCI based on the performance of more than 1200 properties with a combined value of $137 billion.
</div>
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