One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Restaurant

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Melbourne-based restaurant chain Dosa Hut have opened their first Gold Coast store after securing space at a convenience centre located in a central part of the region. 
The chain will occupy a 165 square metre tenancy at Crestwood Plaza in Molendinar after signing a five-year lease with options in a deal negotiated by Tanaka Jabangwe, Knight Frank’s Associate Director of Retail Leasing. 
Jabangwe said Dosa Hut had been looking for the right opportunity to open a store in the growing Gold Coast region for some time before leasing the Crestwood Plaza space.
“The tenant had been wanting to establish a presence on the Gold Coast for some time but was looking for the right space and this Molendinar shopfront ticked all the boxes,” he said. 
“Dosa Hut were seeking a central location in a suburban catchment with ease of access to major road networks, and Crestwood Plaza fit the bill on every aspect. 
“The convenience centre is situated on Olsen Avenue, which is a very busy thoroughfare with plenty of traffic passing estimated at circa 57,000 cars daily, which offered great exposure for the restaurant.” 
Dosa Hut, which serves south Indian cuisine, already operates 19 restaurants across Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, but the Molendinar restaurant is the first for the Gold Coast. 
“Crestwood Plaza offered a perceived geographical centre to service both the northern catchment and parts of southern Gold Coast with ease,” a spokesperson said. 
“We are confident in our food and believe the Gold Coast will appreciate the quality, authentic Indian food we have on offer.”
Located in the heart of a major Gold Coast growth district in Molendinar, Crestwood Plaza convenience centre fronts the booming Crestwood Heights residential estate, is adjacent to Bunnings Warehouse and opposite Griffith University’s future development land. 
The centre features over 190 car parks, a full line Supa IGA as anchor tenant and 17 other specialty stores. 
With limited vacancies remaining in Crestwood Plaza, Knight Frank are currently seeking interest from additional food and beverage establishments, health and fitness groups, allied health and/or medical. 
Jabangwe said the Gold Coast retail market continued to be largely driven by demand from local and interstate food and beverage operators. 
“After the Commonwealth Games we’ve seen an increase in enquiry from established operators seeking high profile positions across the city,” he said. 
“There has also been an increase in Asian cuisine offerings and national chains in strategic shopping centre positions particularly through the northern suburbs of the Gold Coast. 
“High-end food and beverage offerings have predominantly been focused around the traditional premium precincts of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach with a surge in demand for southern Gold Coast positions between Mermaid Beach through to Palm Beach, but there is also plenty of demand from other operators for other suburban areas of the Gold Coast. 
“The suburban catchment offers a less seasonal serviceable population as it alleviates the predominant dependence on tourism spend as perceived in areas such as Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. 
“Dosa Hut believe local community engagement is paramount to their success and this was one of the key reasons why the first store had to be in a central suburban area.”
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Dosa Hut restaurant chain opens first Gold Coast store in Molendinar

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The ground floor commercial premises on Bondi's Beach House Lane is up for lease. 
The space sits on the <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-bondi+beach-503091622" target="_blank">laneway off Campbell Parade</a>.
It was the former home of Skinnys Bar and Grill, who closed their doors last year because it wasn't making enough money.
Skinnys owner James McGovern admitted to not paying staff.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/10/Skinnys2.jpg" alt="">
Next door to the Bondi Hotel, the fully fitted bar and restaurant has a kitchen, grease trap, exhaust and storage facilities.
It spans 190 sqm which includes 27 sqm basement storage and outdoor seating.
The lease through Metro Commercial Double Bay agents Nik Simonovic and Zorick Tolstan comes with a liquor licence in place.
They're seeking a $175k + per annum tenant.
 
 
  
 
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Former home of Skinnys at Bondi Beach for lease

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Following success on New South Wales’ Central Coast, The Grand Pavilion Indian restaurant has established a flagship fourth location in Sydney’s CBD. 
The restaurant has leased 315 square metres of strata retail space at 261 George Street. 
CBRE’s James Beerworth and Leif Olson negotiated the five-year lease deal at $300,000 per annum + GST, which equates to circa $952 per square metre. 
“The Grand Pavilion has opened its new central location, following a $1 million fitout, in answer to Sydney’s under-representation of premium Indian cuisine in the CBD,” Beerworth said.  
“The space offers an accessible George Street location, with proximity to Sydney’s commercial and hotel market, George Street light rail, Australia Square, the Met Centre and Wynyard Station.”
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Grand Pavilion Fine Indian restaurant chain expands into Sydney CBD

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Cutting-edge food and design concepts are rapidly infiltrating shopping centres across Australia, with several landlords investing in premium dining and entertainment experiences to try to tap into the millennials’ mindset, according to one industry expert. Savills Australia’s director for Retail Investments, Rick Silberman, tells us how our love for eating out is changing the face of retail.
The new drug of choice for shopping centre owners
Who doesn’t love eating? It’s undoubtedly one of our favourite things to do – if not the favourite. It changes moods instantly, uplifts us when we are down, and is a great way to socialise and experience the joys of life. Astute shopping centre landlords across the country are rapidly acknowledging the changing climate of retail today and are turning to food and entertainment concepts to keep ahead in the retail game. Ultimately in doing so, they can curb the increasing levels of vacancy (and reduce forthcoming vacancies) that they could encounter in their tenant mixes. 
The challenge
It is no secret that some retailers are doing it tough. Australian household debt is at the highest level on record and one of the highest levels globally, which is in addition to ongoing levels of low wages growth. The balance between consumer spending and disposable income remains difficult. Top retailers and proactive landlords are working together to ensure the retail experience in shopping centres today is vibrant, valuable, and attractive. Customer attraction today is at the centre of every successful shopping centre. No matter what the statistics show about low levels of consumer confidence, many of us place a priority on ensuring enough disposable income for a quality eating experience – heading out with family and friends, and indulging in some of the finest culinary options our cities have to offer, has become Australia’s favourite pastime. We are fortunate enough to have some of the best chefs, cafés and restaurants in the world. After all, what’s another $30 or $50 going to do when you can create a memorable experience with family or friends? And it’s that exact consumer experience and millennial mindset that shopping centre landlords are tapping into, in a creative bid to increase foot traffic levels and ultimately ensure the continued growth of their centres. 
The experience
So, what does this retail experience look like? A food court is not a new phenomenon. However, the traditional food court as we know it will eventually transform into a premium dining precinct with a “no holds barred” approach that includes world-renowned restaurant brands based on a “build it and they will come” mentality. The larger regional shopping centres are already doing this. I was recently travelling in Los Angeles and visited three major shopping centres. It was a real eye-opener to see what is possible and how retail is changing. Simply put, anything is possible. I also believe that we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in shopping centre design. The retail shopping experience today is moving to new levels, with the customer at the centre of all tenant mix choices and designs. The Grove shopping centre in LA has a tram route running through the middle of it with a dedicated food market, while Westfield Century City has one of the most captivating food precincts I have seen, with state-of-the-art design and quality food offerings. It’s no wonder that these shopping centres are absolutely bustling with an unmatched vibe to anything I have experienced in Australia. These landlords are enhancing the customer experience through a focused effort on the dining experience, coupled with innovative property design, in the knowledge that it will increase dwell time and ultimately boost retailer sales.
The future
I was recently attending a meeting with a representative of one of Australia’s major listed shopping centre owners. I asked him about his thoughts on the integration of major dedicated food precincts within his centres and his response was, “You can’t fill a whole centre with just food”, to which I questioned, “Why not?” He may have been right, however; in the current climate, everything should be tabled and explored. Ten or so years ago, it would have been impossible to think that any landlord could open a major shopping centre without a Myer or David Jones as its anchor. Fast forward to now and those same landlords are forecasting how they may need to reposition or resize these big boxes that once upon a time played an integral role in their tenancy mix. The truth of the matter is that no one knows exactly what a shopping centre is going to look like in another 10 or 20 years but one thing we can all agree on is that it will be different. The shopping centre landscape is changing at an incredibly rapid rate and landlords must continually evolve new ideas, be creative and, most importantly, be prepared to take a risk.
Rick Silberman is a director at Savills Australia and New Zealand.
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How our love for eating out is changing the face of retail: Savills Rick Silberman

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The so-called bird nest building - one of the most striking buildings in Sydney's newest CBD precinct Barangaroo - has hit the market with a price guide of $35 million.
CBRE director James Parry said the three storey circular was a trophy asset likely to be bought by high net worth individuals, both locally and internationally.
“Located in the buzzing Barangaroo South precinct, facing the harbour and enjoying uninterrupted views from every floor, 35 Barangaroo Avenue represents an opportunity to invest in a well-positioned iconic asset,” Parry said.
It has been listed by Lendlease, who have developed the precinct of Barangaroo which will be home to more than 23,000 workers and residents.
In 2014, chef Matt Moran announced he would open a three-storey restaurant in the harbour-front Barangaroo precinct, known as Barangaroo House.
The restaurant sits in a striking building designed by architects Collins and Turner. 
The charcoal building will resemble several stacked shallow bowls, one of about 50 food and beverage outlets at Barangaroo South.
The restaurant will have a casual lower floor, a more premium restaurant on the middle floor along with a rooftop garden bar.
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Barangaroo's bird nest building listed at $35 million

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Vietnamese food truck Nuoc Mama will open its first bricks and mortar site on Sydney Road in Brunswick.
Situated at Shop 2, 623 - 625 Sydney Road, the 160 sqm ground floor space is at the base of the 29-apartment Cannatella mixed-use development by Westlock Pty Ltd.
Fitzroys Agency Executive, Ervin Niyaz negotiated the 4+4+4-year lease to Tian Con and Co. Pty Ltd, trading as Nuoc Mama, at $47,000 per annum net.
“Brunswick is renowned for its eclectic lifestyle and hospitality offering, and Nuoc Mama will be able to capitalise on the strong following it has generated while adding a unique offering to this section of Sydney Road,” Niyaz said.
According to realestate,com.au listing views, Brunswick remains one of Melbourne’s most sought-after apartment markets in 2019.
There are approximately 1,500 apartments in the area that have either been recently completed or are in various stages of planning and construction.
According to Fitzroys’ Walk the Strip report, retail vacancies along the stretch of Sydney Road from Victoria Street up to Moreland Road came down from 10.2% in 2017 to 6.5% last year.
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Vietnamese food truck operator open eatery in Brunswick

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Children of celebrity chef Jacques Reymond, the proprietors of South Yarra's Bistro Gitan and Prahran’s L'Hotel Gitan, have signed a lease to establish a third restaurant.
Located in North Yarra, Cremorne, this new eatery will occupy the whole ground floor of Cobild Construction’s new eight level office development at 9-11 Cremorne Street.
Teska Carson‘s Luke Bisset and Matthew Feld brokered the lease.
Mr Bisset said Nathalie, Antoine, and Edouard Reymond (pictured alongside their father) would split the 345 sqm tenancy into two spaces a 35-seat European focused wine bar and a 75-seat bistro.
Antoine Reymond says the yet-to-be-named restaurant will be slightly different to either of the Gitans. "It will be a little more European as opposed to French-focused."
SJB Interiors, who did work on the Gitans, will design both spaces. "It'll be French new-wave," says Antoine. "There's a gorgeous, heritage-listed brick facade, a terrace out the front, and nice high ceilings inside."
The family hopes to open by early June.
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Jaques Reymond family to open new restaurant in Cremorne

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Sydney’s "cult" chicken and burger eatery Chargrill Charlie’s has chosen Camberwell for its Melbourne debut.
Fitzroys' agent Chris James negotiated the long-term 10-year lease for <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-camberwell-502644570" target="_blank">10 Prospect Hill Road</a> (pictured above) at $228,000 per annum net.
The building has a 365 sqm ground floor area and sizeable 58 metres of frontage, positioned near Woolworths, Target and Aldi.
Chargrill Charlie’s has operated for nearly 30 years and has 10 locations across Sydney including Woollahra, Mosman and Rose Bay.
James said the long-term lease secured for the prime Camberwell retail space shows the confidence in the area’s revitalisation held by experienced and established operators, spurred by a strong residential development pipeline.
“This large, flexible space, located close to Woolworths supermarket and with frontage to the Market Place car park, attracted strong enquiry from a range of operators, particularly from the hospitality industry,” he said.
James said there has been growing enquiry in the inner-east as developments such as Camberwell Village, Hawthorn Park and others nearby come online.
He also recently negotiated the lease of <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-camberwell-502538406" target="_blank">670 Burke Road</a>, just metres away on the corner of Burke Road and Prospect Hill Road, to optometry group EyeQ.
Similarly, the lease was a long-term deal at 7+5+5 years for the 87 sqm ground floor space, at $85,000 per annum net.
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Chargrill Charlie’s to open in Melbourne

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An undisclosed international and local restaurateur has signed a lease for 349-351 Flinders Lane, Melbourne with plans for a Japanese fusion style offering.
The deal for the 690 square metre ground floor and basement areas which have been operating as Bluestone Bar &amp; Restaurant in the heritage listed building since 2000 was brokered by Teska Carson agent, Richard Munday.
The new tenant will pay $216,500 per annum and plans to refurbish much of the property and offer a menu of Japanese fusion.
"Melbourne has an excellent reputation for its international laneway dining experience and Flinders Lane is one of the most highly sought after with a consistent trading pattern established over several decades and offering very positive growth prospects based on upward trends in both population and tourism,’’ Munday said.
The lessor is a Melbourne based private investor.
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Restaurateur leases Flinders Lane premises with Japanese fusion plans

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The Collingwood home of hospitality identity Shane Delia’s Biggie Smalls eatery has sold for $3.58 million, setting a new record for a single-fronted retail building in the suburb.
Chris Kombi and Terence Yeh of Fitzroys negotiated the sale of <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/86-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066-2014291572" target="_blank">86 Smith Street</a> at a land rate of $19,456 per square metre and a 3.51% yield.
The fully refurbished, three-level building of 267 square metres is leased to Biggie Smalls on the ground and basement levels on a 7x7x7-year deal, while the first floor office is also subject to a secure tenancy of 6x7x7 years.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/18/smalls3.jpg" alt="">
Kombi said the property sold to an interstate Chinese investor after attracting interest from local and offshore buyers.
“The renewal of the inner north has seen a boom in trendy medium and high-density residential developments and warehouse-to-office conversion projects along and around Smith Street, attracting more students and younger professionals and enhancing the precinct’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s leading eclectic retail, food and beverage, and nightlife offerings,” he said.
“Collingwood’s industrial roots have provided Smith Street with unique long-term growth prospects, offering a substantial residential and office development pipeline whilst retaining much of its heritage and character, and supporting the exclusive mix of retail and hospitality operators.”
Yeh said the recent acquisition of a 1,000 square metre-plus site by Tribe Hotels Group for a flagship offering just metres away from Smith Street demonstrated that the area’s reputation had grown beyond a thriving inner-city cultural hotspot among locals, to a must-visit location for interstate and international tourists wanting to experience Melbourne.
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