<p>A first-of-its-kind culinary precinct is coming to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a>, inspired by global street-food flavours and best-in-class restaurants and entertainment.</p>

<p>Deicorp’s emerging mid-city precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-33-hope-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Central</a>, will become the go-to precinct within the wider Melrose Park community, and at its heart, a first-of-its-kind culinary precinct that brings the buzz of Asia’s most iconic food streets to life.</p>

<p>Spanning more than 4,700 sqm, Melrose Central street food precinct is inspired by the energy and vibrant flavours of street-food neighbourhoods from Hong Kong and Tokyo to Seoul and Singapore.</p>

<p>This new destination will be over three times the size of existing offerings like Burwood Chinatown or Westfield Chatswood’s Hawker Lane, positioning Melrose Central as a must-visit dining hub for all of Sydney.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289878]</p>

<p>Designed by Anthony Ho of Basalt Studio, this street food concept blurs the lines between culinary theatre, art, and entertainment, offering an immersive experience. Neon-lit laneways thread between open kitchens and live grill stations, while murals, interactive displays, and light installations will bring the precinct to life, trading until late, a first for the area.</p>

<p>“We’ve imagined our street food concept as a graduated evolution of everything people love about Burwood Chinatown, East Village and Regent Place, elevated by the immersive artistry creating a city-style dining offer,” said Bilinda Turner, Head of Retail at Deicorp.</p>

<p>“By curating the very best tenants from across Australia, we’re creating a fit-for-purpose town centre for 2025 and beyond. It’s something that people truly haven’t seen before."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=352610]</p>

<p>Melrose Central is far more than a food precinct. Spanning 30,000 sqm across four levels, the shopping centre will be home to approximately 100 retailers, providing a total lifestyle offering from morning until late evening.</p>

<p>Fresh food offerings span a brand new Coles Supermarket, Local Grocer, Korean Supermarket, Bakery and boutique fresh food, as well as a Dan Murphy's, while health needs are covered from a pharmacy, medical centre and allied health. Fitness and wellbeing take centre stage from a dedicated wellbeing hub that includes pilates, recovery, Infrared saunas and a gym, to name a few.</p>

<p>Variety stores will feature throughout, as well as personal care offerings from nail salons to hairdressers, as well as a dedicated early-learning centre on level 1.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289888]</p>

<p>Situated above the retail precinct will be 495 Turner Studio-designed apartments that open onto 6,000 sqm of lush podium gardens and rooftop terraces.</p>

<p>Located just six kilometres east of Parramatta’s CBD and 15km from Sydney CBD, Melrose Central forms the retail and lifestyle heart of Melrose Park, an urban-renewal precinct that is set to deliver more than 11,000 homes, 22,000 new residents, and 50,000 sqm of park and open space.</p>

<p>A dedicated stop on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will arrive at the precinct’s Hope Street entrance, and the forthcoming Parramatta Gateway Bridge will link directly to Sydney Olympic Park and Wentworth Point.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Supported by a 10-minute drive, this growing catchment of 200,000 people, which is projected to grow to 279,000 by 2026, and an average household income above the Greater Sydney average, Melrose Central embodies Deicorp’s vision for transport-oriented, community-focused placemaking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Melrose Central street food precinct and the wider Melrose Central retail town centre are both slated to open in mid-2026.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134220]</p>


Joel Robinson

Melrose Central: First-of-its-kind culinary precinct coming to Sydney’s West

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> has unveiled the fifth and final stage of its $1 billion Norwest community, The Orchards.</p>

<p>The final stage, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/zeste-at-the-orchards-norwest-104-fairway-drive-norwest-nsw-2153">Zeste</a>, will deliver 209 apartments across two distinctive buildings, Essence and Eden. The 135 apartments in Essence will be the first to be released to the market, which will bring to an end the decade-long vision to create a&nbsp;neighbourhood defined by design excellence, sustainability, and community engagement.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=351878]</p>

<p>David Lee, Sales Manager at Sekisui House Australia said, Zeste's oversized living spaces and diverse apartment mix, which includes the introduction of&nbsp;Breezeway Sky Homes for the first time, deliver a unique lifestyle offering.</p>

<p>Early purchasers will benefit from exclusive VIP pricing as well as the choice of one premium upgrade, which Lee says is a "thank you" for their commitment to the project.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=351876]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, Zeste embodies Sekisui House’s global design philosophy of creating harmony between people, homes and nature. Principal Ben Pomroy explained that Zeste is about living within the landscape.</p>

<p>“With two large courtyards, the lagoon pool precinct for the wider community and a central courtyard with pavilion exclusively for Zeste residents, the architecture frames an experience of living in a park," Pomroy said.</p>

<p>“Over 50 per cent of the site is landscaped, ensuring a deep connection to nature at every stage of daily life. The buildings are designed as a collection of smaller, finer-grain forms, with over 85% of apartments enjoying dual aspects.</p>

<p>“The focus on natural ventilation, generous layouts and communal interaction creates a residential environment that is both sustainable and socially connected.”</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=351886]</p>

<p>Natalie Shalala, a member of Rothelowman’s interiors team said they reimagined the former site’s Orchard homestead with a contemporary twist. &nbsp;</p>

<p>“The design draws on the nostalgia of the past orchard – timber floors, the warmth of a fireplace, the rituals of the homestead and reinvents them for modern apartment living,"&nbsp;Shalala said.</p>

<p>“We have created two tonal palettes, one with pale honey undertones and another with a soft blush inspired by nectar. A highlight feature is the cathedral glass light box, a bespoke design element that re-interprets the classic lantern. It is both beautiful and functional, tying kitchen and bathroom spaces together in a way that feels entirely unique."</p>

<p>Shalala said the&nbsp;day-to-day liveability has been carefully considered, with abundant storage solutions, butler’s pantries, bike storage and joinery designed to simplify routines and enhance comfort.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=352090]</p>

<p>Apartments in Zeste start from $715,000 for one-bedrooms and extend through to expansive three-bedroom Sky Homes priced from $2.25 million. Floorplans range from 59 sqm to 144sqm.</p>

<p>The mix in Essence comprises 41 one-bedroom, seven one-bedroom + Max space, 39 two-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom Breezeway Sky Homes (24 of which include additional Max spaces), and eight three-bedroom residences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Max spaces are integrated into select residences, offering a flexible room that can be tailored to individual needs, ideal as a home office, children’s play area, or additional storage.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150510 project_image_fid=351881]</p>

<p>Zeste continues Sekisui House Australia’s partnership with Altogether Group, providing sustainable water, power and data services to residents. Passive design strategies include cross-ventilation, deep landscaping and water features that encourage evaporative cooling, aligning with The Orchards long-term environmental goals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Construction is set to commence on the Zeste buildings in early 2026, with completion anticipated in late 2027 to early 2028.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 850 apartments have been sold across the masterplan, contributing to The Orchards community of 1,300 apartments when complete.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150510]</p>


Sekisui House Australia launches Zeste, the final stage of its $1 billion Norwest masterplan

<p>A significant addition to the Bella Vista Station Precinct is in the pipeline, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/landen-property">Landen</a> formally lodging a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-memorial-avenue-bella-vista-40-memorial-avenue-nsw-2153">new apartment community on Memorial Avenue</a>.</p>

<p>Positioned beside the Elizabeth Macarthur Creek corridor, the project is among the first major transit-oriented residential proposals within the Metro precinct.</p>

<p>The masterplan, designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner Architects</a>,&nbsp;outlines a four-stage delivery, comprising four buildings between four and fifteen storeys, and includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a limited selection of four-bedroom penthouses and terraces.</p>

<p>The project places a strong emphasis on housing diversity and liveability, with apartment sizes ranging from 50 to 180 sqm. The first stage will deliver 213 dwellings, followed by 231 in the second stage. Construction is expected to commence in 2026, pending approvals.</p>

<p><img alt="Bella Vista Apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bb3d84b1-d2df-4e26-915a-31b27faf9b1a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/View02_01-scaled.jpg?VersionId=Gb0AUtZ3VXsLxrqUaw_AwT_vcBwQ_FJu" /></p>

<p>As the first transit-oriented development (TOD) in the precinct, Landen’s Bella Vista community has been designed to align closely with the surrounding Metro infrastructure. The proposal integrates new pedestrian and cycling paths, a new bridge over Elizabeth Macarthur Creek, and direct access to Bella Vista Metro Station.</p>

<p>Lush communal amenities are also central to the design. 'The Grove' and the 'Garden Link' will create landscaped community areas that reflect the area's agricultural heritage and provide direct access to the creekside.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ‘Garden Patio’ is conceived as a multi-use indoor-outdoor facility offering a gym, study nooks, and communal lounge spaces.&nbsp;Rooftop terraces across the buildings will offer views to the Blue Mountains and Parramatta skyline.</p>

<p><img alt="Bella Vista Apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="778da409-d5cf-4e7d-9ba9-0c36990bf0b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/landen-bella-property-image.jpg?VersionId=ukPpmVcHF71xRc7U3MUT5rtGwOsntMMz" /></p>

<p>Landen’s Head of Property, Shane Harding, said the proposal highlights the developer’s precinct-scale ambition.</p>

<p>“As the first TOD proposal in Bella Vista, it highlights Landen’s ability to pioneer precinct-scale projects, integrate housing with infrastructure, and deliver outcomes that align with government priorities,” Harding told the Daily Telegraph.</p>

<p>The project arrives at a time of rapid growth in Western Sydney, with Bella Vista alone forecast to more than double in population by 2046. The development’s location, between the Bella Vista and Kellyville Metro stations, positions it as a connected lifestyle hub for families, professionals and downsizers seeking access to transport, schools, and employment centres.</p>

<p>Pending approval, the development is slated for completion in 2028.</p>


Landen plans 444-apartment community in Bella Vista Metro zone

<p data-end="317" data-start="106">Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/equicentia">Equicentia</a>, together with joint venture partners Wingala Capital and Monark Property Partners, has become the first in Manly to secure Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance.</p>

<p data-end="500" data-start="319">The trio has recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/de-ville-manly-11-victoria-parade-manly-nsw-2095">De Ville</a>, a new luxury project on a long-dormant yet prime site at 9–11 Victoria Parade, positioned between East Esplanade and South Steyne.</p>

<p data-end="500" data-start="319"><img alt="De Ville" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b2639bb1-d72c-4f28-b4dc-33190655e147" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-10-12%20at%209.38.37%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=orUAk2m2tTKAAasLvZg0IaGQyDaZcKYI" /></p>

<p data-end="767" data-start="502">The site was originally earmarked for a 26-apartment scheme, but following its $25 million acquisition of the near-1,200 sqm parcel, the development team opted for a more refined approach, reducing the yield to just 12 two- and three-bedroom residences across a six-level building.</p>

<p data-end="1118" data-start="769">Among them will be three full-floor penthouses boasting panoramic views across Manly Beach, North Harbour, and the city skyline. The apartments will sit above four ground-floor retail and commercial tenancies, designed to help activate Victoria Parade, an area long defined by its beachside character and interwar brick architecture.</p>

<p><img alt="De Ville" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6922f4a-21fb-4a07-8e40-241d594c2538" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/int3.jpg?VersionId=7U1Qw79_YT3bOZKr7.H03JHOFm3QVYlE" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/platform-architects">Platform Architects</a>, De Ville’s sculpted form takes cues from the ebb and flow of Manly’s dual waterfronts, the ocean to one side and the harbour to the other.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The architecture’s soft curvature and rhythmic vertical brickwork reflect the natural patterns of the tide, while a refined palette of Lohas brick, sandy render and glass detailing allows the building to harmonise with its coastal context.&nbsp; Cascading greenery and deep balconies bring texture and shadow to the facade, reinforcing the building’s connection to nature and the street.</p>

<p>Buyers have a choice of two different colour palettes, Taj Mahal and Brescia Green, each layering soft tones and organic finishes to capture the coastal light.</p>

<p><img alt="De Ville" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="be78b114-88ed-4d33-a4ef-50e14d2f9064" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/int6a.jpg?VersionId=hBrZPvs1L2LwThSatcNMXTg0tltfEn4a" /></p>

<p>De Ville is the first development in Manly to fully protect its buyers with 10-year Latent Defects Insurance offered by Resilience Insurance.</p>

<p>The policy covers buyers for 10-years post-completion of the building, a first-resort cover again&nbsp;major structural or waterproofing defects.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike traditional statutory warranties, which often require complex and lengthy claims processes, LDI ensures that if a covered defect arises, the insurer responds immediately - without the need to prove fault or pursue the builder or developer.</p>

<p>This new model of protection has been gaining traction among forward-thinking developers and financiers alike. For buyers, it offers tangible assurance of quality and accountability; for lenders and insurers, it reflects a measurable reduction in long-term risk.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/what-is-latent-defects-insurance-and-is-it-bringing-confidence-to-the-off-the-plan-apartment-market">What is Latent Defects Insurance and is it bringing confidence to the off the plan apartment market?</a></em></p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151559]</p>


Equicentia launches Manly's first new development with 10-year Latent Defects Insurance

<p>The redevelopment of Double Bay's&nbsp;InterContinental Hotel has cleared its final hurdle, with the&nbsp;NSW Government’s Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel giving the $1 billion redevelopment the green light.</p>

<p>Sydney developers Eduard Litver of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capitel-group">Capitel Group</a> and Allen Linz of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/rebel-property-group">Rebel Property Group</a>&nbsp;lead the consortium behind the project that will create a new&nbsp;mixed-use lifestyle destination on Cross Street, in the heart of the rapidly revitalising Double Bay village.</p>

<p>Lodged in November 2024, the DA was approved in under 12 months, marking a major milestone for one of Sydney’s most significant and historically rich village precincts.</p>

<p>The approval enables the demolition of the existing six-storey hotel and the construction of a new eight-storey <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>-designed landmark building featuring high-end retail and dining, boutique accommodation, commercial offices, a wellness centre, a limited collection of luxury residences along with public domain improvements.</p>

<p><img alt="33 Cross Street, Double Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b0ca753-2941-4e77-a6ac-5701087ac4e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/courtyard_intercontinental_double_bay_3D_render_by_VV.jpg?VersionId=18DBOpXgtpob.oZfYSeLgjSCQEgmaCpg" /></p>

<p>Rebel Property Group Managing Director Allen Linz said the approval was the culmination of a collaborative and constructive planning process.</p>

<p>“We welcome Woollahra Municipal Council’s decision and thank them for its constructive and professional approach,” Linz said.</p>

<p>“This approval marks a major milestone for Double Bay and reflects a shared commitment to see the village continue to evolve. We look forward to contributing something that will enrich the community and strengthen its appeal as Sydney’s premier harbourside destination.”</p>

<p>Capitel Group Managing Director Eduard Litver said the project would make a lasting contribution to Double Bay’s future.</p>

<p>“This site has long been part of Double Bay’s identity, and this approval allows it to play an even greater role in the community’s future,” Litver said.</p>

<p>“The project will deliver new retail and hospitality spaces that support local life and business, contributing to the ongoing vitality of the village.”</p>

<p>Having led the project team on behalf of the owner consortium throughout the planning and approval process, Metis Group Director Arian Galanis said the focus now turns to delivery.</p>

<p>“With the project now green lighted, our focus turns to delivery,” Galanis said.</p>

<p>“We’re working closely with the design and consultant teams to bring the vision for 33 Cross Street to life. We’re excited to deliver a project of enduring quality that will stand as a benchmark for mixed-use, lifestyle-led development in Sydney.”</p>


$1 billion InterContinental Hotel, Double Bay, approved for mixed-use redevelopment

Romilly Madew

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<div>Setting stronger energy standards in the National Construction Code for new buildings would, between now and 2050, reduce energy bills by up to $27 billion, lower energy network costs by up to $7 billion and deliver 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings, according to a new report released today.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>'Built to Perform, an industry led pathway to Zero Carbon Ready building code', created by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia, outlines a series of forward pathways for Code energy requirements that cover a range of building types and climates across Australia.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It presents the final results of the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project aimed at supporting the adoption of medium term targets and trajectories for mandated minimum energy requirements in the Code.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) welcomed the new report, it highlights the need for Government to unlock the full potential of the Code and target the cost-effective opportunities found in the buildings sector to improve Australia’s energy efficiency and affordability.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Better buildings, built to perform in a zero carbon future, are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce Australia’s emissions, save money and create comfortable homes and workplaces.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This report shows that the triple-bottom-line dividend from plotting a zero net carbon path in the Code early is enormous.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>By 2050 Australia will need to be at or near zero net emissions and that means the Code must ensure that buildings under construction today are being built to meet the energy performance required in the future.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A clear trajectory for the Code would also give industry the certainty to innovate and invest in high performing buildings at lower cost.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We welcome the report’s recommendation for well designed and implemented targets along with a clear, transparent process for upgrading Code energy requirements.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The world-leading practices being implemented by a growing number of Australian companies need to extend further across industry.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Code is a vital tool for lifting the bar across the board and our communities are the ones who will benefit, from reduced out-of-pocket energy costs and a healthier, lower-emissions built environment. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, the Code can only take us part of the way to net zero. Code improvements must go hand in hand with other measures to deliver a zero carbon buildings sector by 2050.</div>
<div> </div>
<div align="justify">Through our <a id="LPlnk805788" href="https://gbca-web.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/carbon-positive-roadmap-discussion-paper-fa.pdf" target="_blank"><span id="LPlnk805788">Carbon Positive Roadmap for the built environment project</span></a>, the Green Building Council of Australia is also proposing a pathway for the building industry to decarbonise by raising the benchmark for sustainable design, construction and building operation in Australia.</div>
<p>The Carbon Positive Roadmap presents many complementary measures which, along with a strengthened National Construction Code, will help lead the delivery of a more sustainable built environment and meet our international emissions commitments.</p>
<p><em>Romilly Madew is Chief Executive of Green Building Council of Australia.</em></p>
</body></html>

Romilly Madew

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