Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

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

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

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

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

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

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Residential Sales

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Melbourne auctions totalled a clearance rate of 78 percent over this weekend, up from 77 percent for the same time last year, according to the REIV.
Some 819 properties sold, with 231 passed in, 11 on a vendor bid.
The suburbs with the most auctions so far this year are Craigieburn (31 auctions), Mooroolbark (28 auctions), Richmond (27 auctions) and Bentleigh East (26 auctions).
The top house sale for the week was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-121779694" target="_blank">3 Crestmont Court Toorak</a> (above) which sold for $5,795,000.
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<a href="/images/2016/02/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-29%20at%204.21.04%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-29%20at%204.21.04%20PM.png" alt="">
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Melbourne auctions total 78 percent clearance rate: REIV

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The Drummoyne home of Crust Pizza founder Costa Anastasiadis and his wife Lauren sold at weekend auction.
They have plans to trade-up to the waterfront at Henley.
Crust Pizza started as one store in 2001 up to about 120 stores 11 years later when the business was for $41 million.
The following year they spent $3.7 million on a waterfront mansion across the Parramatta River with renovations on the property since then.
Ray White Drummoyne’s Chris Wilkins and McGrath’s Aladdin Hassen were expecting $2.5 million at what was expected to be a big turnout for the auction with 15 contracts issued beforehand. 
The property last traded as a far less glamorous Californian bungalow in 2008 for $1.02 million then <a href="https://raywhitedrummoyne.com.au/nsw/drummoyne/1420391/" target="_blank">underwent a substantial backyard renovation in 2010</a>.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Drummoyne backyard extension secures the weekend dough

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The top sale of the week was a four bedroom waterfront home in Hunters Hill, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Set on a massive 1876 sqm site, the 1886 sandstone property at 22 Vernon Street sold for $6.51 million through BresicWhitney agent Nicholas McEvoy.
The Hunters Hill home narrowly edged out a six bedder in Mosman which sold for $6.5 million.
Sold through Simeon Manners Property, the home features a large wine cellar, gas-heated pool, spa, sauna and huge games room with a bar.
Top 10 sales across Australia last week
1. 22 Vernon Street, Hunters Hill, NSW - Four bedroom, two bathroom: Bresic Whitney: $6.51 million 
2. 54 Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, NSW - Six bedroom, four bathroom: Simeon Manners Property: $6.5 million
3. 61a Muston Street, Mosman, NSW - Four bedroom, three bathroom: Simeon Manners Property: $6.45 million
4 3 Crestmont Court, Toorak, VIC - Four bedroom, three bathroom: Melbourne Sotheby's International Realty Toorak: $5.79 million
5. 45 Roseville Avenue, Roseville, NSW - Five bedroom, four bathrooms: McGrath Estate Agents: $4.64 million
6. 22 Shackel Avenue, Clovelly, NSW - Four bedrooms, three bathroom: Phillips Pantzer Donnelley Woollahra: $4.2 million
7. 31 Harris Street, Paddington, NSW - Four bedroom, three bathroom: BresicWhitney Darlinghurst: $3.9 million
8. 219 Trafalgar Street, Annandale, NSW - Four bedroom, three bathroom: Pilcher Residential Annandale: $3.65 million
9. 35 Bundarra Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW - Five bedroom, four bathroom: Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay: $3.55 million
10. 797 Hampton Street, Brighton, VIC - Five bedroom, four bathroom: Buxton Brighton: $3.55 million
 
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Hunters Hill home tops the week's most expensive sales

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A nondescript $5.71 million Kew home topped the nation's weekend auction results with most of the six bidders planning to bulldoze the five bedroom, two storey brick home. It was built in the 1950s for the family of renowned expat Australian violinist Neville Taweel.
Just kms away from pricey 78 Sackville Street, a Brunswick offering was the nation's cheapest result.
It was the rather plain $216,000 one bedroom, single storey townhouse at 16/6 Garnet Street. Something of a pass the parcel seems to be going on it as had sold only two years ago at $229,500 and even higher at $240,000 in boomtime 2010, being a $240 a week rental in the meantime.
So all the attention fell on a contemporary Hawthorn East offering that was briefly the backdrop on the reality show, The Real Housewives of Melbourne as the rental home of Jackie Gillies, the wife of Silverchair drummer, Ben Gillies. 
A glamorous 1888 Victorian era home – with a 2010 extension by architect Steve Domoney - was their $2500 a week rental in season one on Foxtel.
Marshall White agent James Tostevin expected 2A Harcourt Street to sell for $3.5 million plus with it fetching $4,105,000 million, some $400,000 over reserve at its weekend auction.
Nothing so over the top in Sydney where the strengthening hammer success rate is mostly seeing results within the pre-auction price guidance.
The Sydney clearance rate sat well above 70 percent for the third successive weekend as earlybird sellers secured strong buyer interest.
When it came to affordability however, there were however just the four reported sales at $500,000 or less across Sydney.
A $488,000 sale of a two bedroom fibro at Bradbury, near Campbelltown, was the cheapest result with 15 Bland Street selling to an investor.
It appeared that the weekend auction buyers ignored the week-long headlines around the negative gearing policy uncertainty.
The CoreLogic RP Data capital city results pointed to a continuing or resurgent seller’s market, though auction bidders are being more measured to avoid runaway prices.
 
<a href="/images/2016/02/22/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-22%20at%209.28.17%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/22/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-22%20at%209.28.17%20AM.png" alt="">
Sydney ranked as the strongest mainland capital city over the past week with a 77 per cent success rate.
The scarcity of early February listings has seen the clearance rate bounce off the canvas, well up on being in the 50s last December.
Next strongest mainland capital over the past week was Melbourne at 73 per cent. Melbourne sales yesterday included Helikon, the ornate 1890s Albert Park home of retired radio medico personality Dr Paul Nisselle – broadcaster on 3LO from the early 1980s - which fetched $2.72 million.
It last traded at $1.89 million in 2009.
But Michael Wipfli, the current day Nova FM breakfast presenter, couldn't sell his Armadale home (above) which was passed in at $1.8 million. It last traded at $1.48 million in 2010, when listed with $1.25 million to $1.35 million hopes.
It had been listed through Jellis Craig agent Simon Dale with price expectations above $1.7 million, and now listed at $1.95 million.
Last week auction volumes almost doubled in Canberra, with 104 homes taken to auction. Despite the rise in auction activity, Canberra’s preliminary clearance rate has remained steady at 71, now with four consecutive weeks of clearance rates above the 70 per cent mark, similar to early 2015.
The overall national clearance rate of 72 per cent compared to last year’s results of 77 per cent, with Brisbane's results especially dragging the national figure down. 
But only Adelaide's 70 percent clearance rate was above the same level last year.
There are 1200 plus auctions scheduled for next weekend in Melbourne, suggesting an interesting few weeks as auction stock levels face the traditional pre-Easter escalation. Sydney sees 1000 plus weeks coming up.
"Auction activity will continue to ramp up which will test the resilience of auction markets on higher volumes," CoreLogic RP Data's Kevin Brogan noted.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Nova's Michael Wipfli fails to sell in Armadale

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The top sale of the week was a five bedroom Clontarf family home, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The property, <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/15-moore-street-clontarf-nsw-2093-2012513938" target="_blank">15 Moore Street, Clontarf, NSW</a>, sold for $4,100,000 through Guildea Residential Seaforth. 
 
TOP TEN
15 Moore Street, Clontarf, NSW, 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house, $4,100,000 Guildea Residential Seaforth
6/88 Beach Street, Coogee, NSW, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car unit $3,825,000 McGrath Estate Agents
29 Albion Road, Box Hill, Vic 6 bed, 3 bath, 5 car house $3,800,000 Ray White Blackburn
30 Ponsonby Parade, Seaforth, NSW 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $3,700,000 McGrath Estate Agents
50 Nelson Road, Lindfield, NSW 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $3,630,000 Chadwick Real Estate Killara
1604/81 Macleay Street, Potts Point, NSW, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car unit $3,400,000 Laing Real Estate Elizabeth Bay
10 Whistler Avenue, Unley Park, SA 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $3,175,000 Harcourts Platinum 
72 Cascade Street, Paddington, NSW 4 bed, 2 bath, 1 car house $3,000,000 Phillips Pantzer Donnelley
247 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra, NSW 4 bed, 3 bath, 1 car house $2,975,000 Phillips Pantzer Donnelley 
10/50 Muston Street, Mosman, NSW 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car unit $2,850,000 Marriott Lane Real Estate Crows Nest
 
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Clontarf family home leads CoreLogic RP Data's top 10 sales

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<div>One of those photogenic bathing boxes on Brighton beach bettered the Melbourne bayside's price record when $295,000 was paid at weekend auction.</div>
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<a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/BATHING_BOX_62B,_DENDY_STREET_BEACH_BRIGHTON_VIC_3186">Positioned on the Dendy Street foreshore</a>, the record had stood at $285,000 since late last month.
But dig a bit deeper into the ever shifting sands of Melbourne property and not every price is heading skyward.
The cheapest weekend Melbourne auction result represented a significant loss for the vendor.
The inner Melbourne studio apartment fetched $170,000, above the $155,000 pre-auction price guidance, but less than the $282,000 sale in 2011.
The Malaysian based investor vendor had been securing around $288 a week in rental, plus NRAS concessions.
In an unexpected early 2016 auction results twist, CoreLogic RP Data calculated Melbourne’s auction clearance rate has slipped below Sydney’s for the first time since mid-September last year. 
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No surprise Sydney topped the nation's weekend auction prices when $3.63 million was paid in Lindfield on its upper north shore. The 2010 Harvey Little-renovated four bedroom brick Lindfield home traded at $3.18 million two years ago, reflecting a nice six percent annual price gain.
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A $3.175 million Unley Park, Adelaide sale also easily exceeded Melbourne's top sale of $2.625 million in Hawthorn. The 1910 Edwardian Hawthorn home, that last sold in 1988 at $331,000, helped Melbourne's inner east as the strongest performing Melbourne sub-region with a formidable 81 per cent clearance rate across 52 auctions.
"There really is bugger all quality stock on offer right now," Melbourne buyer's agent Mal James suggested.
Not entirely the case as My Super Nanny childcare entrepreneur Stephanie Wakefield's Hampton property fetched $1.66 million on Saturday.
The fashionably styled home was listed with initial $1.5 million plus hopes, which were then revised up to $1.6 million plus.
In Sydney many buyers seemingly aren't waiting for the auction.
Australian test cricket vice captain David Warner and his wife Candice secured a bullish $7 million plus sale of their South Coogee home three weeks ahead of its intended auction.
The sale was easily above the $6.25 million paid two years ago by the couple who listed following their $4 million purchase of a oceanfront building block in Maroubra. 
After a shocking January kickoff, Sydney's Saturday auction clearance rate remained above 70 percent for the second successive weekend, suggesting the earlybirds vendors will do fine while stock levels stay low.
Volumes are set to ramp up shortly ahead of the earlier than usual Easter break.
But currently new listings in Sydney are at their lowest level for this time of year since 2012, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Big differences are emerging though across the regions as North Sydney and Hornsby are sitting on a 92 per cent success rate while the South West secured just 52 per cent over the week to February 14. 
CoreLogic RP Data notes Sydney had shown a "remarkable bounce" in clearance rates, recording a 78 per cent preliminary clearance rate over the last week, compared with clearances that were tracking in the high 50 per cent range last December.  
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The national preliminary auction clearance rate once again surprised on the upside, rising to 72 per cent this week, compared to 70 per cent last week and 74 per cent over the same week one year ago.
The 1330 national auction volumes are higher than they were last week's 916 residential homes were taken to auction, however they are still tracking below the 1540 volume recorded over the same week last February. 
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Sydney overtakes Melbourne on clearance rates, not withstanding fresh bathing box record

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The weekend Hobart auction at Battery Point saw a $680,000 sale.
Located in the much sort after Arthur Circus precinct, the piece of Tasmanian maritime history was a quaint 1850s whalers’ cottage on offer through Brian Watchorn at Charlotte Peterswald Real Estate.
The local paper reported Geoff and Marian Brookes of Brisbane purchased the Georgian-style home on Runnymede Street. He is a Weipa mining project manager. They are now on the lookout for a Tasmanian vineyard to buy.
The auctioneer Brian Watchorn took a $600,000 opening bid for the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home with 84 sqm space.
The Runnymede Street property had last traded at $460,000 in 2008 and put up for rent at $340 a week.
It was one of eight auctions, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The first week of February had national auction market activity continuing to bounce back from the festive period slowdown, with almost twice the number of auctions held this week compared with last week.
CoreLogic RP Data was tracking 854 auctions this week, compared with 987 auctions over the same week one year ago.
 
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The lower number of auctions was mostly due to a low auction numbers in Sydney where there were only 255 auctions held over the week compared with 421 at the same time last year. Sydney notched up a 70 percent plus success rate.
The lower number of homes put up for auction highlights that vendors haven’t been as willing to put their homes into the auction market as they were a year ago.
Auction numbers were actually higher than a year ago across Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Despite the lower number of auctions compared with last year, the preliminary auction clearance rate, based on the 621 auction results reported so far, was recorded at 71 per cent across the combined capital cities.
This week’s clearance rate was higher than at the same time last year (67.3%) however the clearance rate in Sydney continued to track lower than at the same time last year.
This week, 262 Melbourne auctions were held and so far 206 results have been reported.
The preliminary auction clearance rate of 80.1 per cent is higher than last week, when across just 151 auctions, 69.9 per cent were successful. One year ago, Melbourne’s auction clearance rate was 60.7 per cent across 255 auctions. Across Melbourne, the busiest region for auctions this week was the Outer East, where 40 homes went under the hammer. Of the 30 reported results so far, 83.3 per cent have been successful. Melbourne’s Inner East recorded the strongest preliminary clearance rate at 93.8 per cent, however there were only 19 auctions held within the region and 16 results reported so far. 
The Sydney auction market was substantially weaker over the final months of last year when compared to earlier in 2015. Clearance rates fell from the high 80 per cent mark to the mid-50 per cent mark towards the end of the year. Given this, it is likely that a lack of vendor confidence is currently being reflected with only 265 auctions held this week, compared to 421 at the same time last year. Although auction volumes across the city were low, this week Sydney’s preliminary clearance rate was 70.2 per cent, a strong result compared to 44.9 per cent last week (across just 61 auctions), but not reflective of the 80.6 per cent last year. The best performing Sydney sub-regions this week were Inner South West (85.7 per cent across 21 results) and North Sydney and Hornsby, with a clearance rate of 80 per cent across 35 results. In Brisbane the preliminary clearance rate was 55.8 per cent this week across 77 auction results.
There were 111 auctions held in Brisbane this week, compared to 60 last week, with a clearance rate of 52.7 per cent and 109 last year when 47.6 per cent of auctions were successful. Further south, across the Gold Coast there were 33 auctions reported this week with 13 sales.
Adelaide’s preliminary clearance rate was 79.4 per cent this week, higher than last week at 61.1 per cent and also higher than one year ago (58.2 per cent). There were 104 Adelaide auctions this week, 97 last week and 94 held over the comparable week last year.
In the westernmost city, Perth’s preliminary clearance rate was 35 per cent this week and there were 37 auctions held. Last week, 29 Perth auctions were held and 44.9 per cent were successful, while one year ago 31 Perth auctions were held with a clearance rate of 40 per cent.
Across Canberra 67 auctions were held this week, compared to 27 last week and 69 one year ago. Based on preliminary results this week’s clearance rate is 72.9 per cent, higher relative to last year (67.9 per cent).
CoreLogic RP Data has recorded just 2 auction results across Tasmania this week with one sale.
 
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Battery Point, Hobart whalers' cottage fetches $680,000

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Melbourne's master planned community Woodlea has this week been named the Fastest Selling Community across Australia for the December 2015 quarter, according to the most recent data from the Charter Keck Cramer National Land Survey Program.
Woodlea averaged 81 sales per month in the December quarter. 
Robert Papaleo, national executive director of Charter Keck Cramer, said there had been an average of 549 sales per calendar month across Melbourne’s west for the December 2015 quarter.
 “Sales activity has consistently increased across the Western Region since 2012, however average lot prices have remained relatively stable at between $180,000 to $190,000," he said.
“Demand has escalated significantly in line with the increase in supply from a number of new estates across the region that have offered a greater mix of lot types and prices."
Woodlea is a joint venture  between Mirvac and Victoria Investment and Properties (VIP), launched in March 2015. 
On completion, Woodlea will span 711 hectares and will be delivered over the next 12-15 years and will feature a public square, supermarket and retail stores, bus interchange, professional services and office space.
For more information, <a href="https://www.woodlea.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
 
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Woodlea named the fastest selling residential community across Australia

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Australian Property Monitors recently released its list of the best 625 suburbs across Australia with the suggestion investors should exercise caution in the coming year.
There are just 15 suburbs out of the 625 predicted to have double digit growth, headlined perhaps by the surprise inclusion of New South Wales' popular beachside town, Byron Bay.
Balwyn, Box Hill North and Toorak are the only three suburbs that offer double digit growth for units as well as for houses.
Released ahead of the recent Chinese stockmarket turmoil, APM's housing market expert, Dr Andrew Wilson cautioned the great Sydney boom had clearly ended.
"The peak of the cycle for both Sydney and Melbourne was June," he advised.
More recently he noted “it will be a flat year for Sydney property prices this year.”
“I’ve been predicting up to a 4% property price growth rate in Sydney, and about the same nationally.
"Economic circumstances are now set to deteriorate and it will be a year of circumspection."
Wilson is one of a growing number of experts cautioning investors against expecting bonanza-sized capital returns from property in 2016 as things cool down.
The APM forecast in the AFR Smart Investor magazine even suggested it was why they created the list.
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"If the experts are right and heat does come out of the market, minor differences in asset quality will start to produce very different results.
"The choice between one postcode and the one adjacent could lead to years of regret," the article said, adding their list of the most investable suburbs would be an important weapon for any reader seeking to add to their property portfolio.
The data ranks suburbs according to the price growth over the year to August 31, puts that in context of a three-year growth rate, adds a median price and average yields and then includes APM's exclusive 12-month forecast.
These predictions take into account growth characteristics at a national level, a capital city or regional level and then at a suburban level. 
They include macroeconomic inputs such as monetary policy and confidence levels, while also taking into account more granular considerations that vary from suburb to suburb.
There isn't a single suburb in Queensland, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, West Australian or Northern Territory that envisaged to fetch 10 per cent or more.
Victoria dominates the list of suburbs which have a 10 per cent or higher 12 month forecast, with only one suburb coming from all six other states.
 
Balwyn - 12%
Box Hill - 12%
Box Hill North - 12%
Byron Bay - 12%
Doncaster East - 12%
Glen Waverley - 12%
Mount Waverley - 12%
Templestowe - 12%
Templestowe Lower - 12%
Balwyn North - 10%
Bentleigh - 10%
Carnegie - 10% 
Fitzroy North - 10%
Glen Huntly - 10%
Toorak  - 10%
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2016's top 15 forecast investor growth localities: APM

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More than $33 million in Gold Coast property changed hands when 45 of 105 properties on the order of sale at Ray White Surfers Paradise Group’s The Event sold under the hammer yesterday.
An additional 18 sold prior taking the clearance rate to 60 per cent for the 22nd annual gala auction. 
The RWSP Group chief Andrew Bell credited much of the sales success "to the value disparity that continues to exist between the Gold Coast and southern capital markets."
While the clearance rate was lower than last year, the day’s initial results were an increase in both value and volume of sales on 2015 when 58 of 99 properties sold under the hammer or prior to auction for a $20 million total. 
Southern investors led the charge at Australia’s largest annual property auction with Andrew Bell predicting an 80 per cent clearance rate by mid-week.
The auction kicked off at 11am Sunday with the final hammer coming after 5pm, with sales reflecting a $700,000 average price.
The agency put the attendee numbers at over 2000, including the Ray White chief Brian White.
There were more than 300 registered bidders, reflecting an average of about three bidders per property with the most popular attracting up to eight bidders.  
The most popular offerings were sub-$500,000.
And the day’s highest priced residential sale was $1.2 million for an 875 sqm site zoned for redevelopment at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/biggera-waters/1407709/" target="_blank">544 Marine Parade, Biggera Waters</a>.
The passion was there among the 260 plus registered buyers for a bargain, highlighted by outrageously low, quick opening bids, but as the bidding got to the reserve price the depth of buyer interest was tested on most of the offerings. Even when sales were at below last sale price. 
A three-level hilltop home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-currumbin-121578818" target="_blank">38 Albany Avenue, Currumbin</a> fetched $1.1 million, the top priced house of the day which was listed through RW Surfers Paradise agent Jackson Paradise. But the Currumbin was $410,000 less than the $1.51 million it fetched in late 2007 when the market was at its peak. The $1.1 million was the same price as paid in 2005 for the 1986 built home.
An elevated home at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/sanctuary-cove/1045575/?lang=en" target="_blank">4709 The Parkway, Sanctuary Cove</a> sold prior to auction for more than $2 million.
The <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/broadbeach/1005110/?lang=en" target="_blank">Broadbeach in the Park penthouse</a> at Broadbeach attracted the day's highest offer when passed in at $4 million. 
The unfinished hinterland home at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/tallai/1407870/?lang=en" target="_blank">473 The Panorama, Tallai</a> (pictured above) attracted seven registered bidders with four appearing to make offers.
It was passed in at $2.8 million.
The elevated three hectare property came with panoramic landscape view over the whole of the Gold Coast. The land holding was bought for $1,388,880 million in boomtime 2007. 
It failed to sell at its January 2012 auction.
 
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