A new 25-storey apartment tower proposed for Mercer Street would push Geelong’s western gateway skyline higher, with Morphy Birrell Property Group lodging plans for a project directly beside one of the city’s most significant heritage streetscapes.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">FK</a>-designed development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/65-67-mercer-street-geelong-vic-3220">65-67 Mercer Street</a> has now been referred to Victoria’s Planning Minister. The site sits opposite the Geelong rail corridor and immediately south of the heritage-listed St Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church and Ashby Hall precinct.

Rather than compete with the neighbouring ecclesiastical buildings, the proposal adopts a sculpted podium intended to reference the materiality and scale of the heritage context. Planning documents note the design draws cues from the “dark stone brick” church and surrounding masonry buildings, while the tower above transitions into a softer, curved form oriented toward Corio Bay and the Geelong waterfront.

<img alt="First look: Morphy Birrell Property Group targets 25-storey Geelong tower beside landmark church precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b797d10c-d4a6-47af-b8df-1aeaa3b382be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/public%20square.png?VersionId=QGIpcz1x1hKB6lQLl2iobyHqb6PS2Ztc" />

The development forms “Stage 5” of Morphy Birrell Property Group’s broader Mercer Street precinct strategy, following the completion of the 21-storey Miramar tower on Cavendish Street and several additional approved redevelopment stages nearby. Planning consultants Ratio said the proposal “represents an exemplary development outcome” aligned with the strategic ambitions for Central Geelong’s continued urban renewal.

The mixed-use project would replace an existing low-rise commercial building and surface parking area on the 3,320 sqm corner site. FK’s urban context report describes the proposal as a residential development comprising apartments, resident amenities, commercial space, and integrated landscaping positioned to maximise bay views and northern sunlight access.

Renders show a deeply articulated tower with curved balconies stepping above a lower masonry podium that frames a landscaped forecourt facing Mercer Street. The design intentionally preserves sightlines toward the adjacent church buildings, with the podium scaled to reinforce the heritage edge before the tower recedes upward.

<img alt="First look: Morphy Birrell Property Group targets 25-storey Geelong tower beside landmark church precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2bdca91e-66f7-4ac7-8baa-2f93bd5b564e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/geelong%20site.png?VersionId=QOhbino4ZgzKYw5dW3QE14E.2yq.Sv87" />

The planning report highlights the site’s strategic location within 400 metres of key Geelong destinations including Cunningham Pier, the Geelong Station precinct, Deakin University, and the convention centre. Bus services run directly along Mercer Street, while the Corio Bay foreshore sits around 100 metres north of the site.

The proposal arrives amid accelerating redevelopment across central Geelong, where planning policy continues to encourage higher-density housing close to transport infrastructure and the waterfront. Mercer Street in particular has emerged as a focal point for taller apartment development due to its proximity to Geelong Station, the bay, and major civic infrastructure.

Joel Robinson

Morphy Birrell Property Group targets 25-storey Geelong tower beside landmark church precinct

Development giant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hamton">Hamton</a> and joint venture partner Hostplus have revealed the next residential stage of their $3 billion Moonee Valley Park masterplan, lodging plans for 512 more apartments within the precinct on surplus racecourse land at 110 Wilson Street, Moonee Ponds.

The proposed development, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/trackside-house-110-wilson-street-moonee-ponds-vic-3039">Trackside Gardens</a>&nbsp;in the planning application, follows the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/first-look-exclusive-hamton-and-hostplus-reveal-sixth-stage-of-moonee-valley-park-masterplan">recent unveiling of the sixth-stage Cox Place Precinct</a> and continues the long-running transformation of the Moonee Valley Racecourse into one of Melbourne’s largest urban renewal projects.

Positioned on the north-eastern edge of the racecourse adjacent to CityLink, Trackside Gardens will comprise three residential buildings rising between 61.8 metres and 86.4 metres within a heavily landscaped precinct shaped by Hamton’s Nature Based Cities framework.

The project forms part of the broader Moonee Valley Park redevelopment being delivered by Hamton, Hostplus and the Moonee Valley Racing Club, which is reshaping the 40-hectare racecourse site into a mixed-use neighbourhood with housing, retail, commercial space, hotels, parkland and community infrastructure.

Trackside Gardens sits separately to the recently proposed Cox Place Precinct, a five-building stage comprising around 1,100 residences, two build-to-rent buildings, two build-to-sell towers, retail, office space, and a hotel overlooking the racetrack. Together, the projects continue to accelerate housing delivery across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: Hamton expands Moonee Valley Park masterplan with 512-home Trackside Gardens precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fc1941e-52d3-41c6-abc4-0f13fe8ae5ea" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/DA%20Edits%20%281%29.png?VersionId=7qwRHq5dcvXWNot2hNOgoQhN2GIWudNK" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a> with landscape architecture by Tract, Trackside Gardens has been conceived as a botanical-style residential precinct prioritising canopy planting, communal green space, and vertical landscaping.

“The architectural vision for the proposed development centres around buildings in a botanical park setting that champions the important role of nature,” the planning submission states.

“The proposal incorporates principles of biophilic design, with landscape and environmentally sustainable development influencing the ultimate design response of the buildings and prioritising the ground plane to ensure a high amenity for both occupants and visitors.”&nbsp;

Trackside Gardens will deliver 512 apartments across the three buildings, alongside 518 basement car spaces and 523 bicycle spaces. Around 20 per cent affordable housing is proposed across the broader North East Precinct, equating to around 158 dwellings.&nbsp;

The affordable housing component will be concentrated within the Wilson East building, while the remaining apartments are expected to be delivered as build-to-sell residences.

Trackside Gardens has been designed around Hamton’s Nature Based Cities initiative, founded by Executive Chair Paul Hameister OAM in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Urbis, Ark Resources and Tract. The initiative promotes integrating higher-density urban development with significant biodiversity, tree canopy and landscape outcomes.

<img alt="First look: Hamton expands Moonee Valley Park masterplan with 512-home Trackside Gardens precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89353449-7b3c-42fd-8fd8-8bf64a5ef80f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_4.png?VersionId=X8jRt0P2L7fIWjLhfX6gPknXToXIBeLj" />

A comprehensive landscape strategy would introduce deep soil planting, vertical greening, communal gardens, and new pedestrian links throughout the site.

Planning documents state the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating, a 7.5-star average NatHERS rating, and “Exemplary” Nature Based Cities certification.&nbsp;

The proposal joins an expanding pipeline of approved and proposed buildings within Moonee Valley Park, including the recently launched Eveline apartments and the approved Grandstand North and South towers.

Hamton has increasingly focused on precinct-scale, nature-led communities across Melbourne’s middle-ring suburbs, with projects spanning Hawthorn, Kew, and Moonee Ponds.

Hampton unveils Trackside Gardens, latest stage of $3 billion Moonee Valley Park masterplan

The Paul Gedoun-led <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Group</a> has achieved another milestone in its $1 billion transformation of Rainbow Bay on the southern Gold Coast with the completion of the company’s third project in four years, the $160 million <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a> residences.

Delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a> and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker Architects</a>, Esprit buyers have now moved into the 94 apartments across two interconnected buildings at 217-227 Boundary Street.

The successful settlement of Esprit marks another astounding chapter in the S&amp;S story, which launched its highly successful Flow apartments three years ago and created its own ultra-luxury branded fingerprint on an area craving new luxury residences.

Most early purchasers have secured gains of well over $1 million since the project launched in 2021.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172129]

S&amp;S Projects Founding Director Paul Gedoun said the completion of Esprit reflects sustained demand for premium apartments in tightly held coastal locations.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
“Esprit has attracted buyers seeking a combination of quality design, considered amenity and a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate,” said Gedoun.

“We identified some years ago that Rainbow Bay is a unique market where supply of luxury residences is limited, and we see the settlements in Esprit further underpinning this thinking - that for both owner-occupiers and investors.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172174]

A key feature of the development is ‘Club Esprit’, a 1,000sqm residents-only rooftop level combining wellness and recreation, believed to be a first for the Gold Coast, and which is fast becoming a signature of the S&amp;S brand.

Positioned to capture views across Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay and the Tweed River, the rooftop includes a 25-metre lap pool, gym, yoga lawn, sauna and steam facilities, ice bath, private dining spaces, outdoor cinema and landscaped areas for residents.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a> Director Jayde Pezet, who led the sales campaign for Esprit and S&amp;S’s Flow and Awaken apartments, said the project’s performance reflects both the strength of the product and the depth of demand for premium apartments on the southern Gold Coast.&nbsp;

“In some cases, we’ve seen values double since launch, which is a clear reflection of how tightly held Rainbow Bay has become and the level of demand for well-executed projects in this market,” said Pezet.&nbsp;

“Buyers recognised early what S&amp;S Projects was delivering here, and that conviction has been rewarded as the project has progressed towards completion.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=214819]

Esprit offers a mix of two- three and four-bedroom apartments and sits within walking distance of the beachfront, cafés and local amenities, reinforcing its appeal as both a lifestyle and investment destination.

The project is the third completed by S&amp;S Projects in Rainbow Bay, following Flow Residences and Awaken Residences, which together have contributed to the suburb’s emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after coastal pockets. &nbsp;

S&amp;S Projects is continuing its investment in the area with Radia, a $215 million development currently under construction.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172175]

Gedoun said the completion of Esprit signals continued confidence in the southern Gold Coast market.&nbsp;

“We’ve seen strong interest in well-located, high-quality apartments, particularly in areas where future development opportunities are limited."

“That’s been a key factor in the performance of Esprit and the broader Rainbow Bay market”.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102921]

Owners move in as Esprit completes at Rainbow Bay

Few developers can boast a portfolio across South East Queensland's luxury markets quite like <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic Property Group</a>.

The builder-developer, founded in 2004 by Managing Director Brook Monahan, has projects in planning, on the market, and under construction, from Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach to Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane.

With a pipeline exceeding $2 billion, Mosaic remains highly selective when it comes to development sites, having spent years refining its strategy around feasibility research and product planning. The group is set to continue growing into 2026 and beyond.

In Brisbane, Mosaic currently has three projects in the market. It is in the final release stage at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Bedford</a> in Kangaroo Point, which is approaching complete sellout ahead of its late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=328123]

Designed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, The Bedford comprises 128 two- and three-bedroom residences. A selection of ultra-luxury Masterpiece Series Skyhomes, positioned across the top levels, offer expansive floor plans and sweeping views of the river and city.

High-end inclusions, such as natural stone benchtops, bespoke cabinetry, and Miele appliances, feature throughout all apartments, alongside the Rooftop Recreation &amp; Retreat Sky Terrace. This includes a resort-style pool with sun deck and loungers, spa, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, private dining room with a full kitchen, residents' lounge, multiple barbeque and relaxation zones, an outdoor viewing deck, and landscaped gardens with water features, all oriented to sweeping city and river views.

A gym with indoor and outdoor zones, and a golf simulator, further enhances recreational choice within the building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=328119]

A defining feature of the development is its integrated mixed-use component, which will deliver Kangaroo Point's first major supermarket, alongside a café and liquor store, bringing long-awaited convenience to the peninsula.

Monahan says The Bedford represents the culmination of a near-decade-long journey, after first identifying the A-grade Prospect Street site in 2016. While they came close to acquiring it at the time, the site was ultimately purchased by Woolworths' development arm, Fabcot. The opportunity resurfaced in 2024 when the site, vacant for nearly three decades, was brought back to market.

Monahan says Mosaic projects often begin years before any formal plans are drawn. Their new South Brisbane development is no exception, with the site first earmarked in 2018.

"We aren't opportunistic," Monahan says. "Every site purchase is carefully considered. As seen with Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane, it can take years to eventuate. There are sites we're looking at now that we may not secure for several years."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141711 project_image_fid=353495]

A similar story unfolded at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-carter-by-mosaic-77-linton-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Carter</a> in Kangaroo Point, opposite The Gabba. Like The Bedford, it is also approaching sellout of its 125 two- and three-bedroom apartments. The majority of sales are attributed to returning customers and referrals, with a balanced mix of investors and a strong majority of owner-occupiers.

BDA Architecture was again engaged to design the 22-storey building, which will feature a suite of wellness and lifestyle amenities, including a golf simulator and cinema, a commercial-grade gym, and a rooftop recreation level with a pool, steam room, sauna, cold plunge, teppanyaki bar, private dining spaces, and landscaped terraces.

Construction is on track for completion in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=362759]

Mosaic's latest offering is its most ambitious yet, boasting a rare, north-facing riverfront position on Montague Road in South Brisbane.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-riversdale-by-mosaic-south-brisbane-91-montague-road-south-brisbane-qld-4101">The Riversdale by Mosaic</a> is a 39-storey tower comprising just over 200 residences and Masterpiece Series Sky Homes. Designed in partnership with Bureau Proberts, it will feature nearly 3,000 sqm of genuine, internationally benchmarked six-star, hotel-style amenities, including a wellness precinct, pool, gym, massage and treatment rooms, cinema, golf simulator, and extensive outdoor dining areas across a two-level rooftop deck.

Early works are underway, with full construction expected to commence in the second half of 2026, and an anticipated late 2029 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=362759]

Since 2012 alone, Mosaic has completed more than $2 billion in projects and is set to deliver another $2 billion worth of developments, comprising hundreds of luxury apartments, each defined by Mosaic's signature standards of quality, detail, and delivery.

"We never arrive, there is no finish line," says Monahan. "Our ambition is to keep evolving what luxury means, creating design- and lifestyle-led residences in incredible locations, places people genuinely aspire to and want to live, homes that are loved deeply and endure long beyond their moment."

Mosaic's Midas Touch

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> (Urban) has broken ground at Keira Place, its new major mixed-use residential precinct in the heart of Wollongong CBD.

Held at 120-122 Smith Street, the groundbreaking marked the commencement of construction on Stage 1 of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, with the opening of the new display suite. 
&nbsp; 
Keira Place is a State Significant Development that will deliver new housing supply, affordable homes and inclusive living options within walking distance of Wollongong’s CBD, coastline, transport, hospital and education precincts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144442 project_image_fid=369868] 
&nbsp; 
Stage 1 is now under construction and will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, along with activated ground-floor retail and commercial space. 
&nbsp; 
Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the groundbreaking represented a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected Urban’s long-term commitment to regional cities.

“Today’s groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong’s city centre,” Elias said. 
&nbsp; 
“Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144442 project_image_fid=369869] 
&nbsp; 
Hon. Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Member for Wollongong said Keira Place is exactly the kind of development Wollongong needs – delivering new homes close to transport, employment and services, while supporting the continued growth and renewal of the CBD.

"This project reflects the Minns Labor Government's commitment to increasing housing supply in well-located areas." 
&nbsp; 
Wollongong Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown said Keira Place would deliver lasting community benefits for the city. 
&nbsp; 
"Keira Place is a welcome addition to Wollongong's CBD delivering new housing, affordable homes and activated street-level spaces that will benefit our community for years to come," Brown said. 
&nbsp; 
"Urban Property Group's investment reflects the confidence that quality developers have in Wollongong's future, and I look forward to seeing this precinct come to life."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144442 project_image_fid=369867] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a>, with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/dko">DKO,</a> Keira Place prioritises liveability and long-term performance, with landscaped shared spaces, generous apartment layouts and a pedestrian-friendly streetscape along Smith Street. 
&nbsp; 
Residents will have access to landscaped podium areas, communal rooftop amenities with views to Mount Keira and the Wollongong skyline, and convenient ground-level retail.

The development will have 10-year Latent Defects Insurance by Resilience Insurance.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144442]

Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD

Retail Sale

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A two-storey retail asset on Swanston Street in Melbourne's CBD has set a new record building rate for a commercial property in Victoria, after selling for $9.2 million at auction.
It is the first building to come onto the market in the retail strip in five years.
273 Swanston Street sold on a yield of 2.13%, with more than 200 people attending the auction.
The sale of the 130 sqm building, leased to dumpling bar New Taipei, represented a new record rate of $70,769/sqm for the Melbourne CBD.
CBRE's Melbourne City Sales team of Alex Brierley, Julian White, Nathan Mufale and Chao Zhang managed the sale on behalf of the private family who owned the building for the past 70 years.
Eight local and international bidders fought to secure the asset, with a Malaysian investor outbidding several Melbourne families and rival parties from Hong Kong and Malaysia.
The building is next door to a McDonald's on the corner of Lonsdale Street and Swanston Street.
"As the first Melbourne CBD freehold auction in 2020, this was the first real test of the market and what we have witnessed is a continuation of the confidence buyers demonstrated in late-2019," Mr White said.
"Coupled with other recent Melbourne CBD sales, it also demonstrates the significant power of the auction as a method of sale for properties that are suited to public competition."
The result follows the sales of the Tsindos Greek Restaurant at 197 Lonsdale Street to a Taiwanese investor for $8.1m on a similarly tight yield of 1.29%, and the OPSM building at 384 Bourke Street for $22.5m on a 2.60% yield in December 2019.
"We are noticing many Asian buyers are recognising the rarity of these freehold assets within the CBD grid," Mr Zhang added.
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Swanson Street, Melbourne retail site breaks Victorian commercial property record

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The historic host of Brunswick East's Carbone Custom Made Clothiers has changed hands for the first time in 40 years.
Fitzroys agents Mark Talbot, Tom Fisher and Ervin Niyaz sold the prominent 297 Lygon Street building under the hammer on behalf of the New South Wales-based Richardson family.
Talbot said the sale price reflected a remarkably tight 2.0% yield, and a land rate of $4,352 per sqm.
Eclipsing that of the recent sale of 368 Lygon Street, which had a height allowance of seven levels, while the Carbone site has a height limit of five levels and is subject to heritage overlay controls
Set on a 618 sqm site, 297 Lygon Street has a single-level interwar Greek Revival brick showroom and warehouse building of 596 sqm, with the front portion utilised as a retail space and the rear for handcrafting and tailoring.
It has 16.85m of frontage to Lygon Street with rear access from Ann, Albert. and Trafford Streets.
Talbot said, “we received more than 60 serious enquiries during the campaign from all buyer groups, leading to competition between several bidders at auction."
Carbone has a short-term lease until September 2020 that returns $75,712 per annum.
According to Talbot, the new owner is a land banker.
Constructed through the late 1920s, the building was once home to Perfection Knitting Mills and from 1949 until 1970, 297 Lygon Street was occupied by shirt manufacturer Dorrens.
Fisher said the property was offered with an attractive Commercial 1 zoning, and a design and development overlay that encourages development of up to 17m in height.
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Historic Brunswick East retail freehold competed for under the hammer

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A local investor has paid $508,000 for a Little Collins Street retail investment at a record $39,077 psm rate for a strata titled CBD retail property.
The deal, brokered by Teska Carson‘s Gideon Marcus, was for shop 11, 530 Little Collins Street in the Exchange Tower building.
Situated on the building’s ground floor, the property comprises a 13 sqm space currently leased to Exchange Tower Newsagency on a five year term from August 2015 with a five year option.
The property has a current rental income of $47,896.68 plus GST.
Featuring three street frontages the shop has pedestrian access via Little Collins Street, Church Street and Union Place.
The 12,230 sqm Exchange Tower comprises ground floor and mezzanine level retail tenancies and 207 upper level office suites which are fully occupied housing approximately 1000 workers.
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Local investor purchases Lt Collins retail property at record $39,000 psm

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The film maker Ian Darling has bought the Woollahra commercial office premises he'd been renting in the heart of Woollahra's Queen Street shopping precinct.
The off market $10.9 million trade was the highest commercial sale on the pricey retail Queen Street strip.
The only prices higher have been leisure assets including the Woollahra Hotel, which fetched $23,681,000 when sold in 2015, plus the business value which took the reported acquisition costs to around $30 million. 
Real estate agency Goodyer had previous occupied the second level at <a href="http://www.commercialview.com.au/109-queen-street-woollahra-nsw/commercial-for-lease-details-11185296" target="_blank">109 Queen Street</a> which Darling secured recently.
Wholefoods had been a retail tenant. It has been the headquarters of the Pongrass Property Group.
It was sold by the Yared family.
Darling is the founder and executive chair of Shark Island Institute and executive director of its production arm, Shark Island Productions, a documentary company.
His documentary credits as a producer, director and executive producer include Suzy &amp; The Simple Man, The Genesis and The White Blindfold among a number of others.
Last year he was named Australia's Leading Philanthropist by Philanthropy Australia.
The highest price paid for a house on Queen Street is $13 million, set in 2016 when style-setter and former Vogue staffer Rebecca Caratti bought the renocated Clyde Cottage in Woollahra.
Caratti, daughter of Perth earth moving tycoon John Caratti, emerged as the buyer of the home that belonged to one Singapore's richest people, Ronald Anthony Ooi and his wife Erica Han.
They bought it as a run down cottage for $4 million in 2011.
 
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Highest commercial price ever on Queen Street, Woollahra 

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A property in Sydney’s Darlington leased to a cafe has fetched $1,000,000.
The retail space at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-darlington-502612834" target="_blank">7/245-249 Abercrombie Street</a> was advertised for auction on November 30.
The property is rented out to the well-known café operator “Choco-Latte which is on a new five-year lease.
It earns $42,681.00 per annum net plus GST.
The property has an internal lettable area of 54 sqm and the zoning is B1 - Neighbourhood Centre.
The selling agent was John Race of Khoury &amp; Partners.
It previously traded for $680,000 in 2016 and for $530,000 in 2006, data from CoreLogic shows.
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Cafe in Sydney's Darlington snapped up for $1 million

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A family-run pizza shop in Sydney’s inner fringe suburb of Potts Point has closed its doors after 32 years selling pizzas.
Macleay’s Pizza was located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-potts+point-502624042" target="_blank">Shop 3, 101-103 Macleay Street</a>, and was packed out for its last day of trade in October.
The property is now on the market for sale with a price tag of $1.3 million.
Owner Michael Maccelli’s speciality was the traditional thin crust bases he started working on from his school holidays as a teenager after his father Sam and uncle Joe opened the business in 1985, the Wentworth Courier reported.
“My memories are of all the different characters we’ve had in here over the years; we’ve had sports stars, celebrities and lots of regulars who come because it’s a consistent, good feed with a family atmosphere,” Maccelli said.
The listing agents are Simon Hohnen and Trisiana Muljono of Sydneylinks Real Estate in conjunction with <a href="http://www.laing.com.au/3970737/" target="_blank">Laing Estate Agents</a>. 
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Family-run pizza shop in Potts Point closes

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Sydney's Kazal family has sold Circular Quay retail space - leased to Management International Group and trading as Buckley's Craft Beer Bar - for $21.5 million.
It reflected a tight net yield of 4 per cent.
The new owners of Shop 18A Opera Quays, 7 Macquarie Street plan to hold the high-performing asset for the long term.
The 408 square metre strata-titled property has 256 square metres of lower ground promenade space as well as 137 square metres in mezzanine space which features a fully operational commercial kitchen, walk-in cold storage and private staff meeting rooms.
The restaurant with a hotelier's licence can hold 500 patrons. A lease with options is in place until 2024.
There are 18 other similar lots on the high-profile promenade, which leads to the Sydney Opera House.
"Buckley's Bar is strategically located with a large outdoor seating component with direct water views, with these features making this retail strip one of the most tightly held precincts in the Sydney CBD," selling agent Cushman &amp; Wakefield's Anthony Bray told Fairfax Media.
It follows another Circular Quay asset sold earlier this year when the 131 square metre Shop 12 at 1 Macquarie Street sold for $10.2 million in an off-market sale, at a net yield of 3.15 per cent.
Mr Bray brokered the sale with colleague Ryan Cross.
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Sydney's Kazal family sell Circular Quay retail space

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Aventus Property Group has purchased Home Hub Castle Hill and Home Hub Marsden Park for $436 million, beating off competition from Gerry Harvey to buy the two centres.
The sale represents a weighted average capitalisation rate of 5.6 percent.
Home Hub Castle Hill was purchased for $336 million at a fully leased yield of 5.50 percent and Home Hub Marsden Park for $100 million at a fully leased yield of 6.00 percent.
Simon Rooney, JLL’s head of retail investments, Australasia, said there is a very limited number of major, core assets in the LFR sector across Sydney, so these presented a rare opportunity to acquire significant scale in the sector.
"The sale of Home Hub Castle Hill and Home Hub Marsden Park was the largest homemaker transaction in Australia’s history," he said.
“The yield achieved resets the benchmark for premium large-format retail assets and represents a new record low for the sector.
"For this particular transaction, investors were forward buying growth by pricing in the potential for strong cash flow and rental uplifts.
"The fundamentals of both assets are well supported by population growth in each catchment of 1.8 percent for Castle Hill and 2.1 percent for Marsden Park, said Rooney.
The portfolio was marketed by JLL in conjunction with McVay Real Estate on behalf of LaSalle Funds Management Limited.
Home Hub Castle Hill features a total of 52,004 sqm built over two multi-level centres and includes parking for 1,490 cars on a combined site area of 59,820 sqm.
Tenants include The Good Guys, Nick Scali, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Toy ‘R’ Us &amp; Babies ‘R’ Us, Domayne and Freedom, and 64 specialty retailers.
Home Hub Marsden Park is on 19,832.6 sqm, with parking for 451 cars and a site area of 39,900 sqm. It is securely leased with long-term tenure to JB Hi–Fi Home and The Good Guys and features 22 large format and 10 food-based retailers on ground and 7 tenancies on an upper level.
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$436 million sale of Home Hub Castle Hill and Marsden Park

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A Big W-anchored retail centre at Cessnock in regional NSW has sold for $13.2 million on a passing yield of 7.6 percent in an off-market deal through Savills.
The 10 Darwin Street centre was sold 89 percent leased with a net annual income of just over $1 million and at a $/sqm rate of $1,648. The buyer was a Sydney-based private investor. 
Completed in 2006, the purpose-built retail complex comprises two separate buildings including a Big W discount store and two additional specialty tenancies in one building and three separate, large format, tenancies in the other. 
The 8,009 sqm of gross lettable area, which also includes Supercheap Auto and Repco, sits on a 19,290 square metre site. 
The deal was brokered by Savills’ Steven Lerche and Andrew Palmer. 
Lerche said the Cessnock centre is an attractive proposition offering a strong local catchment backed by robust regional population and employment growth and a more attractive income yield than comparable metropolitan assets.
The property had a short WALE due to a lease tail of only 4.5 years to Big W. 
“Demand for retail property investments remains at an historical high and so it was no surprise that we were able to place the property off market, especially given the tight yields for convenience anchored centres,’’ Lerche said.
The Cessnock vendor was a Melbourne-based investor. 
Big W, which is owned by Woolworths, reported a loss before interest and tax of $27.2 million in HY17 which includes a non-cash charge of $35.3 million, the company said in a note to investors. 
"We are currently reviewing the BIG W strategic plan and this will be completed in the next few months," said Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci, Woolworths CEO, in a press release as part of the company's half-year earnings for the six months ended December 31 
Woolworths reported a fall of 16.7 percent in its net profit after taxes from continuing operations although sales increased by 2.6 percent over the comparable period in the previous year.
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Cessnock Big W centre fetches more than $13 million in off-market deal by Savills

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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and wife Kirilly have paid $760,000 for a commercial investment property in Townsville.
He's bought three retails spaces in <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-qld-wulguru-501840974" target="_blank">Edison Plaza</a>, a retail shopping centre in Wulguru.
He's sought tenants for all three spaces.
The property came with $1.1 million price hopes and had been on the market for over 500 days.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/14/Peter1.jpg" alt="" width="514" height="228">
Elders Real Estate Townsville agent Glenm Adair sold the property.
The investment property takes his total portfolio up to five rental properties.
The most notable is the four bedder at Queensland's Palm Beach that cost the couple $2.3 million early last year.
They have two properties in the Sunshine State and another in Canberra. They live at Camp Mountain, north-west of Brisbane.
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