Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

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The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

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Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

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Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

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Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

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The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

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Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

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“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

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Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

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>.

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

Residential Development

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A residential development expected to be Box Hill's tallest tower on completion was officially launched to the public on April 9, 2016, with 8 percent of stage one sold out.
Sky One will be a 35-storey mixed-use building comprising 419 apartments and retail by Golden Age Development Group. It will be located at 545 Station Street.
The interest from the public can be gauged by the fact that sales crossed $140 million, said a media release. 
"We are absolutely thrilled with the response to Sky One so far. The launch weekend was overwhelming success with 85% of stage one sold and an extremely strong level of interest from the local Box Hill market,” said marketing and sales director of Golden Age, Dandan Zhao.
Privately owned Golden Age is based in Melbourne and among its developments are the new five-star Sheraton Hotel in Melbourne, residential towers Victoria One, Collins House and Opera, and two new projects in Sydney.
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Off-the-plan Box Hill tower Sky One in Melbourne sees 85 percent sales at launch 

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SPONSORED POST
Sydney developer Longton Property Group is working on a $300 million Avantra apartment project in Mascot that is designed to imitate a suburban street, but going up instead of a horizontal orientation.
The 328-apartment complex plus ground floor retail has been designed with a sense of community by architects MD+A and interior designer Archer + Wright.
The apartment block will include communal areas such as a shared rooftop area in which residents can swim, barbeque and interact with views of the Sydney skyline.
Covering 8,762 square metres, Avantra is oriented vertically, akin to “streets in the sky”, according to MD+A architect Brent Marvin.  
“We have six metres between front doors which is typical of a small lane, and we have areas at each level where residents can sit in the sun. Within the building we have areas where residents can work or socialise, entertainment zones, a full-scale pool and BBQ areas. Instead of these elements being spread out at ground level we have designed them in the sky,” he said.
Avantra will be centred around a large courtyard garden designed for communal use. The designer, Daniel Baffsky of 360 Degree Landscape Architects, aimed to create a sense that “the whole area is your garden.”
“Our philosophy is to create a beautiful landscape, but also a setting for community, for people to have chance interactions, as well as to have spaces for privacy and to relax.” 
Longton aims for Avantra to be a community unto itself.  
One way it achieves this is through technology: each apartment will come with an iPad and the myiButler app, with which residents will be able to order shopping or house cleaning without leaving their unit.
All Avantra residents will also be part of a single virtual network, or iCommunity, allowing them to share information. Residents will be able to check updates on news, weather or finance, to be accessed either on their phones or iPads, or on an electronic noticeboard in each lobby.
Internal size of studios in Avantra are 60m² to 61m², one-bedroom plus MPR units are 75 m² to 82m², two-bedroom plus MPR units are 100m² to 127m² while three-bedroom plus MPR unit is 154 m². 
The construction work of Avantra project has commenced. Residents are expected to move in by December 2017.
For more information, <a href="https://www.avantra.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Longton Property Group's Avantra development bringing community to Mascot

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Investors priced out of the Sydney market are turning to Brisbane developments that offer long-term capital growth and consistently attractive yield, according to a property group based there which has seen inquiries from Sydney climb up in the past year.
Mosaic Property Group is a Brisbane-based boutique property group, with 14 inner-city residential projects currently in development.
During the past 6-12 months, the group’s Sydney and Melbourne sales inquiries have significantly increased.
In addition, there was a fall of 1.6 percent in Sydney’s Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) for the December quarter 2015, according to the ABS.
Mosaic managing director Brook Monahan said while the investor exodus from Sydney to Brisbane was not new, it was gathering further pace.
“Sydney investors can spend $500,000 in Brisbane on a spacious two-bedroom apartment with quality finishes in a new boutique development within 10km of the CBD, or they can spend double that amount on a smaller, older unit in their hometown," said Monahan.
“They can see that with investment into a high quality development in Brisbane, they’re buying into a market that is not only offering good rental yields, but also has strong long-term capital growth potential in the right projects.
“Across Sydney we’ve seen established housing and attached dwellings pricing fall 2.1 percent and 0.8 percent respectfully."
Monahan added that the trend was not just about investors chasing affordability, but also quality. 
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Sydney's unaffordability driving investors to Brisbane, says local property group Mosaic

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Minister for Family and Community Services and Social Housing Brad Hazzard and the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, officially opened the latest development by City West Housing, The Exordium Apartments at Zetland.
Exordium Apartments at Zetland is a $41m development comprising 104 contemporary one, two and three bedroom units geared toward affordability for city workers.
Janelle Goulding, CEO of City West Housing said the vision for the development was to create a high quality and sophisticated contemporary building and  provides a mix of residential dwellings to help support the ever increasing demand for affordable rental accommodation.
It will feature communal gardens and BBQ areas, a small cafe and a single level basement with parking for 40 cars and ample bicycle storage.
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City West Housing Zetland development The Exordium officially open

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The big four banks’ increased capital requirements will heighten the need for alternative funding sources for property development, according to a real estate investment firm Qualitas.
The company, which provides equity and debt financing to residential, commercial and retail property developers, discussed the issue in a briefing in Sydney.  
The Australian market is unusually dependent on big banks for commercial real estate lending, said group managing director Andrew Schwartz.
“Australia’s four major banks dominate the $230 billion commercial real estate debt market, with a market share of over 90%. In comparison, commercial banks in the United Kingdom and United States control between 40%-60% of the market, with non-banks, such as institutional debt funds, controlling the remainder. But real estate debt funds haven’t had a big presence in Australia to date,” he said.
This is set to change in the coming years, with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s decision to increase the big banks’ required capital levels. When coupled with banks’ internal requirements that limit commercial real estate Loan to Valuation Ratios (LVRs) to around 55-65%, Qualitas says the market will need more options.
“The banks have their hands tied when it comes to making loans to property developers. As a result, there is a need for additional funding sources, which is where Qualitas fills the gap. Sometimes we provide this alongside the banks, through mezzanine debt, and other times we provide senior debt or equity,” Schwartz said.
While co-investing from its own balance sheet, Qualitas also invests discretionary capital on behalf of institutional and high-net-worth investors. It is seeing strong interest from offshore investors keen to access the Australian property market, which continues to demonstrate relative value compared to North American and European markets. 
“The depth of capital in foreign markets is huge - relative to Australia – and the weight of this money has compressed returns offshore, while they remain higher here. Some investors are also attracted by the fall in the AUD. As a result, we expect 2016 will see increased momentum of foreign capital coming to Australia. This is good news for the market, as it will increase the options available to those who need capital from alternative sources,” said Schwartz.
However, accessing quality deals in the local market can be challenging for overseas investors, according to Schwartz.
“Some of the biggest managers providing commercial real estate debt and equity capital globally aren’t seriously competing down here – they operate on more of a fly in/fly out basis. As a result, they don’t have the networks of contacts or on-the-ground access to deals before they hit the market.
“We deliver superior returns on a risk adjusted basis. Returns are attractive, so people assume it must be very risky. However, there are reasons they are high. Access is key: we are providing capital that our clients can’t source from the banks, while the market we operate in is very closed, built on networks, trust and long term relationships; so there is an information arbitrage at work,” Schwartz said to emphasise that Qualitas delivers above-market returns.
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Bank funding gap for property development set to widen: Qualitas

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A factory warehouse that is a Petersham landmark since its construction circa 1903 is up for auction, with the site conditionally approved for a residential development.
The auction is on April 30 and Duncan Gordon and Michael Harris of Raine &amp; Horne are the listing agents. They have $5 million hopes.
The Beynon &amp; Hayward warehouse at <a href="https://www.6livingstoneroad.com/" target="_blank">6 Livingstone Road</a> was originally a grain store. The building was adapted in the 1930s into Sydney's first furniture removalist and storage facility and the iconic signage along Livingstone Road has been in place ever since. 
The site is being offered complete with conditional DA approval for a high quality residential development featuring 18 luxury apartments and two ground floor retail outlets.
The property has three street frontages.
This section of Petersham is less than seven km to Sydney CBD either on bus or by train, with retail and coffee/dining all closeby. 
The existing warehouse features vast interiors, soaring corrugated iron roofing, exposed timber beams and original brick walls. The new complex will include a choice of studio, one and two-bedroom layouts each with generous proportions and good natural light. 
Architects have worked to retain the building's signature sawtooth facade and showcase designer chic with quality modern finishes throughout. 
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Century-old warehouse in Sydney's Petersham up for auction 

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For most investors, location is the top priority for purchasing a property, and Sydney's North Ryde is one such suburb. 
Median house prices in North Ryde increased by 28.12% over the last 12 months, positioning it in the top 10 percent of all Australian suburban markets for the 12 months to December 2015, according to Core Logic RP Data.
Further, according to Your Investment Property magazine, 87 percent of properties within North Ryde are stand alone or detached housing, implying a current undersupply of apartments. 
In this context, Frasers Property Australia’s Centrale development in North Ryde continues to attract investors, who represent approximately 70 percent of buyers so far.
Comprising four buildings, Centrale will have 380 dwellings in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom configurations. The apartments will feature open plan interiors, designed to maximise seamless indoor-outdoor living, with many boasting views out to the Sydney city skyline.
“Centrale satisfies specific demand for high quality, well connected and smartly designed apartments in an area undergoing significant transformation. Investors and owner-occupiers can see the change happening locally and recognise the future possibilities,” Nigel Edgar, NSW Residential Division general manager, Frasers Property Australia, said.
One of the investors, Anna Crino, who owns a one-bedroom apartment, said, “I was actively looking for an apartment in the North Ryde area. After I visited the Centrale display suite, I instantly responded to the smart design and practical layout of the apartment.”
“The apartment is spacious with a contemporary design. I could see it has great potential for future tenants, with the flexibility to suit either a single person or couple.”
Centrale is part of the NSW government’s North Ryde Urban Activation Precinct, expected to become one of Sydney’s most popular residential and recreational areas.
The furnished display suite at Centrale, situated off Delhi Road in North Ryde, is open 7 days a week 11am to 5pm.  
Centrale, designed by award-winning Turner Architects, Centrale offers contemporary, open plan interiors filled with natural light and views of the landscaped podium gardens or the Sydney city skyline.
Centrale apartments are located on Delhi Road, just a short distance to North Ryde train station and local shops, cafes, hospitals and parks.
Once stage was over 70 percent sold, Centrale put stage two on the market late last year with apartments priced from $575,000.
For more information, <a href="https://www.frasersproperty.com.au/SMP/NSW/Centrale/Centrale" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Centrale apartments in Sydney's North Ryde popular with investors

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Global property developer Greenland Australia is set to reveal plans of their Macquarie Park mixed use community Lachlan's Line featuring some 2,700 apartments.
Lachlan's Line, bounded by Wicks, Epping and Delhi roads, as well as the M2 freeway, is a 1.53 hectare site which will be will developed in two stages. 
The first two stages consist of approximately 900 apartments across six towers ranging in height from seven to 17 storeys, and 6,000 sqm of ground floor retail.
The development was announced in 2013 as part of the North Ryde Urban Activation Precinct, T 
Greenland Australia managing director Sherwood Luo said that the company identified Macquarie Park as one of Sydney’s key growth areas given the well-established services and transport available in the suburb.  
“Lachlan’s Line residents will be incredibly well connected as the site is serviced by two major train stations and numerous bus routes," he said.
"North Ryde train station is only 250 metres away, providing direct access to Epping, Chatswood, North Sydney the Sydney CBD and Parramatta and Macquarie Park Train Station and bus interchange is only 1.2km or 10 minutes’ walk away.
"Lachlan’s Line is positioned right in the heart of one of Sydney’s largest employment hubs - Macquarie Park - home to a number of major global brands such as Microsoft, universities and the newly renovated, Macquarie Centre shopping centre and offers a unique investment opportunity for a diverse range of buyers from first home buyers and local downsizers to savvy investors. In particular, we believe that our project will appeal to young buyers of the millennial generation given its vibrant urban village shopping and amenity, health and wellbeing facilities and proximity to some of the country’s largest universities and employers."
“Macquarie Park is set to experience significant growth over the coming years - making it one of Sydney’s most desirable suburbs to live, work and study in.” 
For more information <a href="https://www.greenlandaustralia.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Greenland brings global expertise to Lachlan's Line

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The national architecture firm Rothelowman has won the prestigious President's Award at the 2016 National Urban Development Institure of Australia (UDIA) Awards for Excellence.
They won the award for a mixed-use Abbotsford apartment development.
Developed by Hamton and ISPT, the three-stage project has been planned to include premium facilities such as a rooftop cinema, lobby bars and a health and wellbeing centre.
Rothelowman, working closely with the client and council, integrated the riverfront in their design by allowing public access through the centre of the site to the bank of the Yarra River. 
Rothelowman principal Chris Hayton said that Eden (above), Haven and Sanctuary (the three stages) have added high quality and a meaningful public space to the existing urban fabric of Abbotsford.
The project also won the national award in the High Density Housing category and previously won awards in the categories of Master Planned Developments and High Density Developments in last years Victorian UDIA awards.
 
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Rothelowman-designed development wins big at UDIA awards

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GUEST OBSERVER
Sydney buyers looking for a freestanding home are starting to be frozen out with the infiltration of apartments, and property experts are widely talking about unit prices dropping due to oversupply - but is this the only issue? This is just one problem but many others are being ignored. 
Exceptional market conditions in Sydney meant that apartments were significantly more affordable than houses for many buyers – last year especially – and as a result, many development applications were submitted for new apartment high rises. As a result, Sydney took over from Melbourne as the leading capital for apartment development and in July alone last year, the City of Sydney received more than 2,400 development applications, in what was quoted as a record high.
By 2018, the City of Sydney expects 8,000 new dwellings to be completed, while Green Square is expected to house more than 54,000 people by 2030<a name="x__ftnref3" href="https://outlook.office.com/OWA/?realm=propertyobserver.com.au#x__ftn3" title="">[3]</a>. Looking north of the bridge, St Leonards will have more than 500 new apartments by 2020.
“here’s an apartment boom but where is the foundation? If we look at supply and demand a year ago, apartments were in demand mainly because of the investor boom and many owner-occupiers were priced out of purchasing a family home. What I want to know is are we building the right course for the right horse?
Think about housing diversity five years ago and look at where we are heading by 2020, we’ll have a remarkable number of apartments by then. The size and scale of this issue is much bigger than we even realise and there’s a real lack of research around the implications on infrastructure, mental health and other future ramifications. 
This year, it’s been estimated that almost 45,000 apartments will be completed and settled in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with an additional 53,000 due for completion in 2017.
We are reverse engineering the supply and demand process and changing the behaviours of people as a result.
We are forcing buyers into considering apartments because the reality is that they have very little other option in a semi-affordable price range. We are starting to see some ill-effects from an oversupply of apartments such as rents falling for the first time in three years, as well as vacancy rates rising. A number of reports show that this is already happening but this is not the only issue. There are also huge socioeconomic issues that will arise from this boom.
A report on housing demand from NSW Planning and Environment predicted that Sydney will have an extra 1.6 million people by 2031, and more than 664,000 homes will be needed. It claims that the rise in single-person and couple-only households as well as an ageing population is driving the need for smaller dwellings. This report also revealed how the government would create housing diversity, which included studio flats (self-contained studio apartments that are established with a main house), smaller lot sizes (standard minimum lot size for high and low density areas), townhouses and terraces, and manor homes (four separately titled units within the same building). 
Although I acknowledge the findings in the report, I still believe that a lot of these apartments are being built to feed the investor boom as opposed to a spike in people looking for low maintenance properties. How are freestanding, detached homes not part of a housing diversity plan? We need to have more dialogue on this and think of more creative ways to build more townhouses or single house dwellings for a similar price as apartments – in a way that doesn’t skimp on build quality. Increasing population is a problem for everyone. Let’s not just build tower blocks at extortionate prices, let’s build dwellings that Australians are happy to come home to.
Five solutions for housing diversity that meets demand:
1. Increase ‘stepping stone’ homes. Currently, there is a very small pool of stepping stone properties available for buyers. I don’t understand how we expect people to go straight from a unit into a four-bedroom home if things continue on the same trajectory. Town planners really need to focus on building a bridge for buyers from their first property to their second property because the type of supply is not readily there. Terrace houses take up a lot of space and that’s why they’re not being built as much – but they’re a good example of a stepping stone property.
Likewise, if you look at people downsizing, which many baby boomers are in the midst of doing or considering, they might want something in between their four-to-five-bedroom family home and an apartment. Generally, at the end of the day, younger people live in tower blocks. After the kids have flown the nest, downsizers are usually only open to moving into a 16th floor shoebox with shared walls when it also comes with something as spectacular as harbour views.
Sydney’s Leppington is planning to introduce a contemporary equivalent to the Paddington and Surry Hills terrace-style houses as part of its redevelopment masterplan and I think this is a great example of forward thinking. Sure, the suburb is very much a blank canvas so they have the luxury of planning really thoughtfully and building for the future, but there’s no reason why other suburbs can’t plan for the future – they just have to be more creative about it.
2. An in-depth, socioeconomic study. 
A number of studies have been carried out to determine the happiness of people living in high rise apartment blocks, with one study in the UK revealing some alarming results, including that apartment living can increase your susceptibility to stress and your risk of developing mental health issues, and could even cause a relationship break-up. Furthermore, the study revealed that there are serious concerns for children brought up in apartments; children can suffer from hyperactivity, hostility and juvenile delinquency as a result. Not enough socioeconomic studies have gone into this on a local level and it’s absolutely something we need to explore.
Size is one thing but we also need to consider the emotional impact of living high up in the air. I understand the economics of the situation but I don’t think enough research goes into it. Yes, there’s demand but I think we should start building dwellings that people want to live in – not just because it’s the only option, price-wise. We have a responsibility for future generations to preserve the integrity and ambience of certain areas, and need to take a step back and look logically at this because the mental wellbeing of our community is also very important.
3. More emphasis on planning for the future of our city. 
You can’t just rezone an area for fun. While it’s true that people work longer hours, are information rich and have fewer children, that can’t be translated directly into them wanting smaller dwellings. Residents of family-centric areas are getting together to oppose the rezoning of their suburbs, and we saw just one example of this in the inner-west suburb of Hurlstone Park earlier this year. 
You have to ask why units are being built in family-belt areas to create more diversity from a demographic point of view. People often move to these suburbs for a more peaceful or quieter life, so why are some councils now trying to entice youth into the area? Most young people want to live in a vibrant suburb with all the trimmings, which makes living away from inner-city areas less appealing to them. I think the Federal Government is putting pressure on the NSW State Government to meet various quotas which trickles down to the councils and that’s how we arrived here – building for today but not for tomorrow. 
4. Assess implications on surrounding infrastructure. 
I applaud the government for getting the big ticket items right such as public transport and widening of motorways, but they need to work further on local transport and roads, as well as schools, shops and other infrastructure essential for these new high-density communities. What new apartment developments are going to do is put a lot of stress on small intersections and I’m not sure if we are looking at the full impact on society. Are we still surveying roads and measuring traffic flow like we used to in soon-to-be affected intersections every morning and afternoon? If we’re not, we certainly should be. 
5. Incorporating vertical forests into more developments. 
My concern with apartments is how the lack of greenery negatively impacts residents’ wellbeing. It’s been scientifically proven that green is a calming colour and nature is a calming influence and I think it’s crucial for apartment blocks. Large-scale, inner-city urban renewal projects are really thinking creatively about how they can incorporate plant life. Central Park in Chippendale is a great example, with vertical gardens and surrounding parkland, and developments at Green Square as well as Barangaroo are also focused on incorporating greenery. The developers aren’t doing it just because it looks good, they’re doing it because it’s essential to keeping residents happy.
DOUGLAS DRISCOLL is CEO of real estate agency <a href="https://www.starrpartners.com.au/" target="_blank">Starr Partners</a>.
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