Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Renovation

<html><body>
Cherie Barber, the TV renovation queen and founder of Renovating for Profit, has announced the five winners of this year’s Young Renovators Scholarship.
Tegan Fitzhardy (14), Liam Singer (14), Claudia Howlett (16), Rafi Licenblat (15) and Cooper Page (15) were selected out of hundreds of entrants from across Australia. They have been invited to join Cherie Barber and the RFP team at the next 3-day workshop in Sydney from 14-16 December and learn the ins and outs of how to buy and renovate property for profit.
This marks the second year of the Renovating for Profit Young Renovators Scholarship Program, which offers young people aged between 12 and 17 the opportunity to sit Cherie’s three-day bootcamp, 12 months mentoring from Renovating For Profit’s expert property coaches and a comprehensive homestudy kit containing over $37,000 worth of educational materials.
The image above is Cherie with the winners of the scholarship last year.
Cherie was inspired to establish the Young Renovators Scholarship Program in 2015 after then 12-year-old Akira Ellis attended a RFP training event with his father. Cherie immediately noticed Akira eagerly writing notes and learnt that he wanted to buy and renovate a property as soon as possible so she gifted him entry to her three-day workshop and personally mentored him throughout his first renovation project.
“There are so many young people like Akira who want to learn about property investing and how to turn bricks and mortar into tangible profits; especially with current property trends. Akira and last year’s winners have already completed successful renovations using the knowledge they acquired through the bootcamp and are well are on the way to building profitable property portfolios. I’m so excited for this year’s winners and look forward to helping them become successful renovators too,” says Cherie.
The five winners will be joining Cherie and the Renovating for Profit team at the next three-day event to be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney on 14-16 December.
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Cherie Barber announces Young Renovators Scholarship winners

A restored Cobbitty cottage featured on the popular Selling Houses Australia TV show was one of the best renovation sale outcomes on the recent series.&nbsp;

The Foxtel Lifestyle team are now looking for another 13 fixer-uppers with one already earmarked for Campwin Beach in Mackay, Queensland.

The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-cobbitty-122899102" target="_blank">restored Cobbitty cottage</a> featured in the recent season of Selling Houses Australia sold quickly after its renovation.

Vendor Maree Kovac&nbsp;enlisted the help of the Selling Houses team after not getting the price she wanted for the home when she listed it for five months last year.

Kovac was asking $778,000 to $865,000 for the unrenovated home that she bought for $349,500 in 2002.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201 project_image_fid=89013]

The inspectees at the mid-2016 open for inspections were advised to come back once the renovation of the three bedroom home was undertaken by&nbsp;property expert Andrew Winter, the landscaper Charlie Albone and interior designer Shaynna Blaze.

A rotting veranda had wrapped the dilapidated 1880s cottage that once stood alone overlooking the rolling hills of the Macarthur region.

Seriously deteriorated, the front of the home was completely overgrown.

Albone&#39;s work saw him remove the rotting veranda and reconstruct a new one using Cyprus pine.

The home was painted from its baby blue to a grey and a bright red front door.

Blaze, who focuses on the interior, added polypropylene plastic tiles, adding &#39;Alice in Wonderland&#39; style flooring to the kitchen which featured a new wooden bench top and sink.

The rooms were dressed&nbsp;in a French Provincial style, adding additional character and charm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93952]

United Acreage Tanya Novek sold the three bedroom, two bathroom home &#39;immediately&#39; after the renovation for $835,000.

The popular Foxtel Lifestyle show, which dispenses advice on the&nbsp;property&#39;s sellability, has regularly won ASTRA Awards for Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program and Viewer&#39;s Favourite Program, as well as often being the highest rated Lifestyle Channel series.

This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.

firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Top outcome for restored Cobbitty cottage from Selling Houses Australia

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No one should underestimate how home improvements contribute to Sydney's rising residential prices.
We are going through a renovation boom, with time poor buyers willing to pay extra if the renovation is completed to a high standard.
Rather than undertaking the work themselves, strong demand is being shown by buyers for quality renovations completed, valuers Herron Todd White have advised.
They note the popularity of renovation shows on television, sees more and more people jumping on board.
Channel 7’s The Aussie Property Flippers program recently featured a Tamarama property. The small Fletcher Street two bedroom, one bathroom unit was purchased in early 2016 for $780,000. With a renovation cost of around $80,000, the 58 sq m property sold last December for $1.065 million. 
In Sydney’s CBD a one bedroom, one bathroom unit with car space in a converted heritage Clarence Street building was purchased in early 2016 for $710,000.
After full renovation to a high standard it sold in April for $1.13 million. 
There has been limited flipping within the prestige market but one was in Bellevue Hill where $3.9 million was paid in 2015 and $5.75 million secured recently after what HTW noted was "a good quality cosmetic renovation,. 
Agents says sellers across Sydney who've undertaken very basic renovations are not doing as well as those who undertake more extensive renovations.  
But HTW warn one of the biggest mistakes renovators can make is to over capitalise.
"This is more common in suburbs with lower price points where even minor blowouts in budgets can result in an over capitalisation," their June report advised.
"The best way to ensure this doesn’t occur is look at any examples of the end product that have sold in the local area.
"If sales of renovated properties are within a certain price point it will give you a target and assist your budget to ensure the project will stack up." 
Success was secured at a Smithfield property purchased in original but poor condition in early 2016 for $575,000.
The property was fully renovated, slightly extended and reconfigured to include an additional fourth bedroom and bathroom.
It then sold in March for $860,000.
With the renovation carried out correctly to meet market demand in the area, the success represented a 50 percent value increase in just over 12 months, albeit HTW noted that overall market growth had a big part to play.
The strong market conditions over the past few years has certainly been a major factor in not only the profits made but also lifting the confidence of the people undertaking these renovations. 
There aren't just the flippers of course. 
There have been increased number of frustrated home owners seeking to add value to their current properties rather than upgrading amid the recent price surge and listings shortage.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Flipping success across Sydney comes from matching market needs

<html><body>
Serial renovators Dea and Darren Jolly, stars of two series of Channel 9 show, The Block, are back at it again.
They picked up the keys on Thursday to a charming unrenovated Sorrento cottage on Melbourne's pricey Mornington Peninsula coastal playground.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.46.05%20PM.png" alt="">
It sold for $1.8 million through Sotheby's International agents Rob Curtain and Danielle Vains.
Dea's instragram has been peppered veiled references to the beach house acquisition including plans by Jane Merrylees, her architect, showing the proposed day bed on the verandah that looks out towards Port Phillip Bay with just a glimse of blue waters.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.46.48%20PM.png" alt="">
The character-filled 1900 four bedroom residence boasts an array of traditional features including a wrap-around porch, impressive 3.5m-high ceilings, fretwork, sash windows and more. There are two original fireplaces one in the lounge room and another in the kitchen.
"There is enormous potential to renovate and create a truly exceptional period home or rebuild to capture stunning water views from across the road," the marketing suggested with it just moments from the sand and bay trail track.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.47.35%20PM.png" alt="">
The purchase comes six months after they pocketed a nice gain from the sale of their Kew East rebuild with $2.908 million.  
They'd spent a year and about $1 million rebuilding their 1920s Kew East California bungalow after purchasing it in a rundown state for $1.395 million in June last year.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.48.14%20PM.png" alt="">
The renovation landed the Jollys in court with the couple’s building and design company DJJ Promotions placed, without conviction, on a two-year good behaviour bond by the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.48.48%20PM.png" alt="">
Dea and Dazza's acquisition is a side show to the main event, when the latest series in Elsternwick start filming this week.
Much like the former Swans and Pies ruckman Darren, Aussie model Elyse Knowles is understood to have been enlisted as a celebrity contender for the new season.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.49.26%20PM.png" alt="">
Sydney Confidential understands Elyse will be renovating with her partner Josh Barker, however the couple won't be holed up with the other contestants for the full two months of filming at the Melbourne job site.
After several seasons of renovations in apartment blocks, the series will involve restoring houses that have been relocated to the suburban street. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.50.06%20PM.png" alt="">
The holding was once set to become a school, but neighbours including comedian Gina Riley, famous for Kath and Kim, campaigned against it.
Five time winner Sydney auctioneer Damien Cooley hasn't been signed up quite yet for the auctions later this year.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/01/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-01%20at%2012.50.55%20PM.png" alt="">
Channel 9 will then be staying in Melbourne for its 2018 series too having purchased the infamous Gatwick Hotel on the seedy Fitzroy Street, St Kilda strip.
The Spanish Mission 64 room hotel cost around $15 million with the Block in the process of relocating its permanent occupants.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

The Block's Dea and Darren Jolly buy in Sorrento

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Lana Taylor has been busy unpacking.
The dynamic <a href="https://www.threebirdsrenovations.com/" target="_blank">Three Birds</a> renovation team member - and wife of the recently sacked West Tigers coach, Jason Taylor - has the onerous, but joyous task on completing the team's sixth house.
Lana describes the home conversion as from a tired terracotta Tuscan villa into "modern white on white Mediterranean style home."
Rather than a home ready to be onsold, this time the lower north shore rebuild was her own abode - indeed it's Lana and Jason's "forever home."
It's the sixth home reno the Three Birds trio - made up of Lana Taylor, Erin Cayless and Bonnie Hindmarsh - have undertaken in the last few years.
They've only done flipping houses previously. 
The recent extensive makeover of the three level Northbridge home - being documented through the team's threebirdsrenovations.com website featuring a YouTube television series made especially for realestate.com.au - was a break on their buy, renovate and sell routine.
Lana said it's a "surreal feeling" and feels like she is "the lucky one because she gets to live in it."
Most of the Three Birds success has come from The Hills District, where they have made nice profits on houses in Northmead, Castle Hill and most recently Baulkham Hills last last year.
The team started when Bonnie called Lana and asked if she wanted to renovate houses with her.
Lana, who previously spent 15 years marketing global brands like Dove and Cover Girl, responded by suggesting she had never renovated anything in her life, however she had been watching The Block and it inspired her to buy some new cushions.
The trio have honed their combined talents, with Bonnie in charge of creative design and Erin who is in charge of logistics.
Despite structurally being the biggest home task the team had taken on, the Northbridge home was completed it double quick time.
"Most people were surprised as they thought it would take 12-18 months," Lana said on the project, which took just six months to finish.
The quick renovation was helped by builders and tradies keenly turning up every day, she said.
It was custom designed including having just the three bedrooms "rare for a three level home nowadays, but with just the two children and pet parrot, three bedrooms was enough." 
There's also extensive office space and divine terrace on the top level in the master retreat.
"It's a lovely time in our lives to have a beautiful home to appreciate," Lana told me.
Lana met Jason after he retired from rugby league in 2001, spending a brief one year stint with the Eels.
She moved in to the Northbridge home soon after Jason finished playing and shared the home with Jason and his mother.
Jason had been Mosman based before spending $845,000 on the Northbridge home in 1998 while he was at the North Sydney Bears.
He doubled his money on his two bedroom Mosman apartment, selling for $745,000 after paying $336,000 in 1993, just before he joined The Bears.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
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Three Birds' latest renovation project a keeper

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The Atrium at Greenwood Plaza in North Sydney has received a makeover by architecture firm The Buchan Group.
Completed in March 2016, the Atrium has been transformed into a modern casual dining precincts in the area. 
The Buchan Group senior associate Malou Ellis said the initial design concept was inspired by the stoma cell, incorporating discrete, varied zones to offer relief and contrast from the pace and rigid structure of the North Sydney business district.
“The design approach was driven by the fast-paced demographic of the broad clientele. It was imperative to ensure the space responded to the varied target market,” she said.
“The herringbone pattern zig zags throughout the space leaving its mark and each colour plunges around a zone, enveloping scattered pieces of furniture which zooms up an edge of a vertical panel, and wraps around a column.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/22/TheAtrium.jpg" alt="">
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/22/TheAtrium2.jpg" alt=""> 
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The Atrium in North Sydney gets a new look, courtesy the Buchan Group

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Unlike a kitchen or bathroom renovation that depreciates over time, a garden will grow in value as it becomes more established with each passing year, according to Secret Agent’s latest bulletin.
They suggested their top 5 reasons why you should renovate your garden before your kitchen or bathroom.
1. Add up to 18% to your home value
Gardens are highly valued amongst homebuyers.
Inner Melbourne properties with notable landscaped gardens can sell for 18% more than those without, especially if the property is located in a suburb where greenery and space is scarce.
2. Maintain physical health
Being healthy generally means eating well and exercising more. Gardens can help improve both of these aspects.
By dedicating an area of your garden to a veggie patch, you can grow your own organic vegetables.
Gardening is also a good form of exercise as it forces us to ditch the sedentary life on the couch.
The more we move and use our body now, the better quality of life we will maintain as we age. Gardening is especially good for keeping our hands agile and strong.
3. Keep a healthy brain
A longitudinal study on almost 3000 Australian men and woman found that daily gardening reduced the risk of dementia by 36%.
Another study found this risk reduction was as much as 47%.
4. Become happier
Not only does gardening make you relax, it will also brighten your mood. Soil contains a microbe which has been shown to have antidepressant properties in humans.
This bacteria is absorbed into our bloodstream via inhalation or ingestion on vegetables and results in increased levels of serotonin- the feel good hormone.
A lack of serotonin has been linked to increased anxiety, depression and a variety of other mental health issues.
5. The benefits of biophilia
The natural bond humans have with living systems is explained by the biophilia hypothesis, coined by E. O. Wilson.
Connecting with nature sets into motion processes deep within the body that make us mentally and physically stronger.
Numerous studies have shown that hospital patients who see greenery outside their window recover faster than those who face a brick wall.
Due to technology, we are spending more time away from nature than ever before.
Building up a beautiful garden to maintain will allow you to reconnect with nature and receive all of these benefits.
For more information go to: <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">https://secretagent.com.au/</a>
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Five reasons to renovate your garden before the kitchen or bathroom

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<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">Former Block contestants Dan Reilly and Dani Wales have listed Seddon House after two years of restoration.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">A price guide of $1.1 million plus has been given to the now three bedroom home that was previously an untouched Victorian. </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">The couple paid $462,000 for the home after filming concluded for The Block All Stars season in mid-2013. </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">It <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-seddon-123982822" target="_blank">now features a modern two-storey extension</a> clad in timber at the rear.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">An open plan living an dining area spill onto an out door deck.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"><img src="/images/2016/11/14/Seddon%202.jpg" alt="" width="551" height="341"></div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">Their renovation, including updating the Victorian facade, has come at a cost of around $400,000. They have lived in the home for nearly a year.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">Gerard Hannah and Marty Rankin at Villa Real Estate Seddon have set an auction date of November 26.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"><img src="/images/2016/11/14/Seddon%201.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="338"></div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
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</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">The couple competied on the 2012 and 2013 series of the show but Dan, a carpenter by trade, returned last year as a partner to 'Foreman' Keith.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">He himself was known as 'Foredan'.</div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro"> </div>
<div class="tg-tlc-storybody_intro">They also run design and construction company Red Door Project.</div>
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Seddon House, renovated by former Blockheads Dan and Dani, hits the market 

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Hipages, Australia’s website for finding and hiring trusted tradies, has partnered with the Housing Industry Association (HIA), whose membership builds over 85 percent of all new residential detached, medium density and high rise construction work and undertakes over 80 percent of renovations in Australia.  
The new partnership will see HIA members having their membership visible on their hipages profile, indicating to customers which qualified trade and building professionals are registered with the HIA, as well as access to over 90,000 hipages’ monthly job requests.
“We’re thrilled to start working closely with the HIA team,” said Gideon Kline, Chief Commercial Officer of hipages. 
With over $1.35 billion worth of jobs processed annually, hipages has helped over 1.1 million Australians get projects done around the home, helping homeowners find professionals that are ready and available to do the job while providing tradies with tools to easily manage their workflow and grow their business.
Customers have access to more than 80,000 trade and building professionals, providing a simple platform to see reviews, contact businesses directly and get quotes within minutes.
“Technology is shaping the industry and with thousands of local recommendations and real time information at your fingertips, getting help and finding work has never been easier,” said Kline.
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Property 101: hipages partners with the HIA

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The Block renovation show, now in its 12th season, debuted last night.
Starting half an hour earlier than Ten's Australian Survivor, The Block attracted 1.074 million metro viewers, the third most-watched show of the night.
The debut episode of Australian Survivor drew 784,000 metro viewers.
Its tribal council peaked at 1.2 million viewers, the fifth most-watched show of the night behind 60 Minutes.
Seven's last night Rio Olympics coverage and the ABC's Grand Designs New Zealand were also in the Top 10 programs of Sunday.
Seven's heavily promoted Zumbo's Just Desserts debuts tonight, airing at 7.30pm in direct competition with both The Block and Australian Survivor.
 
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