Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

Restaurant Sale

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Chef Shannon Bennett has sold a majority stake in his hospitality empire to Singapore's wealthiest family for around $15 million.
The deal with billionaire brothers Robert and Philip Ng involves a portfolio of the city's top eateries, including flagship restaurant Vue de Monde and the Burnham Beeches redevelopment project.
He will act as the culinary brand ambassador for what is tipped to be a substantial restaurant expansion into Asia and the United States by Golden Developments, a subsidiary of Far East Organization, Singapore's largest private property developer.
The deal did not include any freehold property.
Forbes magazine estimates the owners the Ng brothers' fortune at $8.7 billion.
The deal, which valued the Vue Group's at $22.5 million, has not been formally announced by either party but contained in documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, obtained by The Age.
Bennett, who retains a 35 per cent ownership stake in Vue Group, opened his first restaurant in 2000. The flagship Vue de Monde restaurant, on the 55th floor of the Rialto in 2011, regained its third hat at The Age Good Food Guide awards in September.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Shannon Bennett takes on Singaporean partners

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A property in Melbourne’s renowned Lygon Street restaurant precinct recently sold to a local buyer for $2.58 million at auction.
Currently leased to Lygon Charcoal Grill &amp; Steakhouse, the <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/120-lygon-street-carlton-vic-3053-2012604703" target="_blank">120 Lygon Street</a>, Carlton property is on a new 10-year lease plus three five-year extensions. 
It returns an annual rental of $95,000 per annum plus outgoings. At the sale price, the yield works out at 3.68%. 
The property is nearly 307 sqm and comprises a main dining area, function room, fully equipped kitchen, undercover alfresco seating on Lygon Street, a one-bedroom apartment on the third level and rear car park. 
The selling agents were Charles Cini and Anthony Carbone of CVA Property Consultants.
 
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Restaurant in Melbourne's Carlton cooks up $2.58 million at auction 

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The operator of Jamie's Italian restaurants across Australia and many other well known dining establishments has gone into receivership after failing to negotiate continued lending arrangements with its financiers, KKR and Olympus Capital.
Ferrier Hodgson's Morgan Kelly and Ryan Eagle have been appointed receivers and managers to the Keystone Hospitality Group, which is owned by a group of private Sydney investors.
The venues will be sold off.
"The venues in the Keystone Group comprise some of the most iconic and well-known brands in their respective markets," Morgan Kelly said.
"The sale of the group represents a unique opportunity for the right operator and is particularly suited to hospitality specialists interested in expansion." 
Employees would continue on the same terms and conditions as prior to the appointment of the receivers for the time being.
The 17 restaurants include Bungalow 8, Cargo Bar, Chophouse Perth, Chophouse Sydney, Gazebo, Jamie's Italian Sydney, Jamie's Italian Perth, Jamie's Italian Canberra, Jamie's Italian Brisbane, Jamie's Italian Adelaide, Jamie's Italian Trattoria, Kingsleys Brisbane, Kingsleys Woolloomooloo, Manly Wine, Sugarmill Hotel, The Rook on York Street and The Winery in Potts Point.
Last night Keystone executive Richard Facioni and MD John Duncan issued a statement saying the business was “operationally strong”, with more than 1,000 employees nationally, but blamed debt used to expand the business, as well as Sydney’s lockout laws, for the failure of the group.
In March, Keystone put the the business it all started with 16 years ago, Cargo Bar, at Sydney’s King Street Wharf, on the market through Ray White Hotels saying it was shifting towards more food-focused ventures.
But a buyer had yet to be found for the Cargo Bar.
John Duncan told The Shout website that the lockout laws had not influenced the group’s decision to list the Cargo Bar as the venue had continued to trade strongly and the recent development of Barangaroo was great for the area.  
Their earlier sale of the Newtown Hotel was due to an unsolicited approach from another hotel group.
“The sale process is expected to commence shortly,” Mr Kelly said. 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Upmarket Keystone Hospitality Group restaurants set for sale

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The site of Katoomba restaurant, Pins on Lurline, and its Federation home and guest house, have been bought by a young family for an undisclosed sum.
The 132 Lurline Street property, built in 1898 by local businessman H. A. Bundy, was sold through an expression of interest campaign which closed in March.
The deal was brokered by Gunning Real Estate sales agent Tom Speakman on behalf of Blue Mountains restaurateurs Simon and Keiko Kjelgaard, who purchased the property in 2012. 
“They are very pleased with the outcome and are excited to move forward with their plans to move to Japan after more than 20 years operating the Pins brand in the Blue Mountains and four years on Lurline Street,” Speakman said.
“The new owner will be running the restaurant themselves and renting out the guest house as a business. They are looking for a change of pace and will relocate from the Sydney CBD. It is an exciting adventure for them as they have a young family and no restaurant experience."
The restaurant seats 60 people. The property has a self-contained garden holiday cottage, Keiko’s Nest as well as a private residence with three bedrooms, Speakman said.
The original house was designed to be built ‘out in the bush’ and the owners operated a small tearoom in the hustle and bustle of Katoomba main street, its website says. 
Pins, formerly known as Pins And Noodles, originated in Katoomba Street some 20 years ago and moved to Leura village before finally coming to rest in Lurline Street, hence the new name, ‘Pins On Lurline’.
 
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Blue Mountains restaurant Pins on Lurline sells

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The American burger franchise Carl's Jr has opened it's first Australian store on the NSW Central Coast.
The controversial burger chain, known for for their raunchy TV ads, has huge expansion plans for Australia, targeting 300 restaurant sites in the next 10 to 15 years.
Carls Jr, which already has food joints in 30 countries is positioned next to McDonald's in the Bateau Bay area.
Carl Jr's created its own publicity stunt - offering a year's supply of free burgers to the first 50 people through the door of their grand opening, with a burger fan lining up since Sunday night for his share.
Carl's Jr are already <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.seekcommercial.com.au/business-listing/carls-jr-franchising-australia-global-leaders-in-restaurant-franchising/179823" target="_blank">advertising the opportunity to potential franchises</a> as they look to continue their expansion.
The Bateau Bay store's franchisee Lindsey Brennan owns 18 liquor stores across the region and has a licence for 10 new Carl's Jr restaurants across the central and northern New South Wales coasts.
The Carl's Jr TV ads have caused a stir amongst onlookers, with Paris Hilton and Kate Upton having worn next to nothing on the US advertisements.
One of the most recent clips featured model Charlotte McKinney was banned from the 2015 Superbowl.
They haven't looked to clean up the promotion in Australia either.
The Carl's Jr Australia ad was reported to the Advertising Standards Board after being aired on Channel 10 after the Big Bash League during December and January with local model Gemie Howe.
The advertisement will be reviewed at the next ASB board meeting.
The 300 planned restaurants will take a sizeable chunk of the burger monopoly across Australia.
Australia has been a highly successful franchise step for burger joints, with McDonalds opening their first restaurant in Yangoona in 1971.
They now have 900 stores across Australia.
Hungry Jacks have 390 and the supposed healthier burger choice Grill'd has 122 locations, however founder Simon Moore targeted another 200 across Australia in 2014.
Among new entrants to the market are​ Mary's, Chur Burger Express, Burger Project, Burger Edge, Burger Shed, Ribs &amp; Burgers, Burger Bro? and Melbourne's Brother Burgers. 
Director of retail listing at Frank Knight Alex Alamsyah recently told Fairfax Media it is unlikely to see Carl's on pricey prime streets in Sydney's CBD.
"Global burger chains like Carl's Jr, and Johnny Rockets from America and MOS burger from Japan are looking at prime streets in Sydney's CBD, but appear reluctant to make a move, as rental in prime George Street could hit $5000 per sqm per annum."
Carolyn Cummins of the Sydney Morning Herald noted that McDonalds is paying roughly $1.25 million a year for their 250 sqm spot in central Sydney and Hungry Jacks's is paying $1.65 million a year for the whole building at 640 George Street. 
Franchisee Lindsey will hope Carl's Jr doesn't follow in the footsteps of Urban Burger. Two of their three outlets were sold off in Melbourne's Balaclava and Middle Park in 2014. 
Ned Lyerly, Carl's Jr president of international doesn't have that concern.
"We've done extensive research ourselves," said Lyerly.
"It's a $16 billion market today and will continue to grow, so I think the market itself is large enough to sustain that sort of operation"
"We compete favourably with all [quick service restaurants]... and believe with the right partners, that those numbers are meetable."
Chief executive Andy Puzder told The Australian Financial Review in 2013 that their success in New Zealand energised the interest in Australia and they want to take advantage of that.
They already have eight shops in New Zealand and plan to open another 50.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

American burger joint Carl's Jr opens on NSW Central Coast

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Campari House, at one of Melbourne’s most iconic CBD laneways, has sold for $8.1 million at CBRE auction.
Located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-melbourne-501695217" target="_blank">21-25 Hardware Lane</a>, the four level building is one of Melbourne’s best known dining destinations.
It comprises two commercial kitchens, restaurant, private guest room and rooftop bar. Fully leased, the marketing suggested its net passing rental income was $337,631p.a.
It was historically occupied by Kirk’s horse bazaar – a horse and livery trading centre built in 1840 by James Bowie Kirk.
Benefitting from a high volume of foot traffic, the Hardware Lane secured a record land price of $45,505 per square metre.
There were six bidders contesting the auction, coming locally and from offshore.
The vendors only purchased the property two years ago at $5.999 million in July 2013, having sold at $4.7 million in 2009.
CBRE City Sales is preparing to take to auction nearby 30 Guildford Lane – a double storey, refurbished warehouse building for October 30 auction. It last traded at $1.76 million in 2008.
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Hardware Lane restaurant offering snapped up at auction

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Celebrity chef George Calombaris' Gazi and The Press Club restaurants in Melbourne's CBD have been sold to listed Singaporean real estate investment trust REIT Keppel for $8.61 million.
The restaurants, 2 Exhibition Street and 52 &amp; 72 Flinders Street Melbourne were sold through an expressions of interest campaign in conjunction with CBRE’s Josh Rutman, Mark Wizel and Paul Tzamalis in conjunction with Fitzroys Chris Kombi and Paul Burns on behalf of vendor Cerberos Pty Ltd. <a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-press-club-and-gazi-premises-for-sale">Listings opened late May</a>, with expectations of around $9 million.
Gazi and The Press Club attracts more than 170,000 visitors each year. 
Keppel REIT owns a 50% stake in the 2-8 Exhibition Street office development and two retail units and all five retail units at 2-8 Exhibition Street.
The property was sold with a long-term lease.
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