Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<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/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Suffolk Park

<html><body><div class="mod" lang="en-AU" data-md="50" data-hveid="CAgQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwjnxr_0wP7rAhUQfisKHcveCxoQkCkwFHoECAgQAA">
<div class="PZPZlf hb8SAc" data-attrid="description" data-hveid="CAgQAQ" data-ved="2ahUKEwjnxr_0wP7rAhUQfisKHcveCxoQziAoADAUegQICBAB">
<div class="kno-rdesc">The returning expats, famed Australian photographer Polly Borland and her husband, filmmaker and awarded commercial director John Hilcoat, have bought in the Byron region.</div>
<div class="kno-rdesc"> </div>
<div class="kno-rdesc">They've emerged as the $2.1 million buyers of the trendy mid-century modernist-inspired home in Suffolk Park that appeared on Grand Designs Australia last year.</div>
<div class="kno-rdesc"> </div>
<div class="kno-rdesc">They snapped the home up through First National Byron Bay agent Tara Torkkola in less than a week.</div>
<div class="kno-rdesc"> </div>
<div class="kno-rdesc"><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/2020/NOV/30/Suffolk%202.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="kno-rdesc"> </div>
<div class="kno-rdesc">It had been the home of Mike and Megan Fishwick.</div>
<div class="kno-rdesc"> </div>
<div class="kno-rdesc">Mike, a clothing designer for a local street/surfwear label, and Megan, founder of Feel Good Revolution took their inspiration from the internationally ­acclaimed 1951 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed Illinois weekender for Dr Edith Farnsworth.</div>
<div class="kno-rdesc">
They paid $645,000 for the 800 sqm block of land in 2017 in the Seacliffs rainforest ­estate developed by Jonathan Levy’s Unison Projects.
The couple lived in a caravan with their three children for almost a year while undertaking the project.
The Foxtel LifeStyle channel presenter Peter Mad­dison suggested it was “a uniquely Aussie version of a modernist building”.
<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/2020/NOV/30/Suffolk%203.jpg" alt="">
Borland and Hilcoat, who resided in England until around 2011, are returning from Malibu, where in 2016 they paid around US$1.66 million (AU$2.32 million), for a contemporary designed home by the local architect Doug Rucker.
Borland won the 1994 John Kobal Photographic Portrait Award. In 2000 the National Portrait Gallery commissioned Borland to take a series of photographs, Australians, for an exhibition to celebrate that country's 200th anniversary.
Meanwhile on their return, Hilcoat, who directed the hit prohibition-era crime film Lawless starring Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf, has joined the creative collective agency Collider as a director.
He's collected every major advertising award over his long career, shooting commercials for the likes of Nike, Apple, Samsung and Coca-Cola.
</div>
</div>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Polly Borland and John Hilcoat buy Grand Designs, MCM-inspired Suffolk Park home

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Mike and Megan Fishwick have sold their mid-century modernist-inspired Suffolk Park home. 
The stunning homebuild, minutes from Byron Bay, featured last year on Grand Designs Australia.
The First National Byron Bay agent Tara Torkkola secured the snappy sale at $2.1 million just under the $2.2 million price guidance.
The 800 sqm building block was sold in 2017 for $645,000 in the Seacliffs rainforest ­estate developed by Jonathan Levy’s Unison Projects.
Mike, a clothing designer for a local street/surfwear label, and Megan, founder of Feel Good Revolution took their inspiration from the internationally ­acclaimed 1951 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed Illinois weekender for Dr Edith Farnsworth.
The couple lived in a caravan with their three children for almost a year while undertaking the project. The Foxtel LifeStyle channel presenter Peter Mad­dison suggested it was “a uniquely Aussie version of a modernist building”.
“It’s incredible because they’ve put so much energy into creating a most ­unlikely building given their budget,” Maddison said.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house features an outdoor pool, entertainment deck and a large carport. The kitchen, covered in handcrafted kitchen tiles, includes a cafe-style rangehood and spacious dining with a bespoke dining nook.
There’s a $1.2m median house price at Suffolk Park which has 18 properties for sale. Based on five years of sales, Suffolk Park has seen a compound growth rate of 10 per cent for houses, according to realestate.com.au. The median has been above $1m since 2016.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-06%20at%2011.14.36%20am.png" alt=""> 
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Grand Designs' Suffolk Park MCM-inspired home sold

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Former fashion model Emica Penklis, the chocolatier behind high-end chocolate Loco Love, and her husband Jesse Lawrence have bought at Suffolk Park.
The recently married couple paid $715,000 for a 1985-built home just south of the Byron Bay township.
It was marketed as Suffolk Park’s most affordable home when snapped up by the couple just eight days into its marketing.
First National Byron Bay agent Oliver Aldridge secured the quick sale.
Penklis, who is expecting her first child, shared the house purchase on her Instagram.
“Also this happened … let the nesting begin, finally a home to call our own,” she captioned a picture of the sold sign.
Penklis, who grew up in Byron, founded Loco Love in 2013 using ethically sourced fair-trade and organic cacao from Peru.
Set on 325 square metres, the brick-built home with high-raked ceilings has three bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 
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Model turned chocolatier Emica Penklis buys outside Byron Bay

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Byron Bay is fast becoming Hemsworth heartland.
Hollywood hunk Chris Hemsworth and his extended family already own two Byron properties, including the mega-mansion he and wife Elsa Pataky are building.
Now Pataky’s half-brother Cristian Medianu, a film director who has worked with Hemsworth on Thor: Ragnarok, has bought a $1.5 million house in Suffolk Park, just five minutes away.
Medianu will live there with his new wife, nurse Silvia Serra, adding more star power to the town already dubbed “Hollywood by the sea”.
Hemsworth’s Hollywood buddy Matt Damon and his family are regular visitors, as are brothers Hunger Games actor Liam Hemsworth, and his music star wife Miley Cyrus, and Westworld’s Luke Hemsworth.
<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/2019/5/21/suffolk%20park.jpg" alt="">
The clan’s Byron property purchases now total $12.8 million — plus another $8.8 million on a knockdown rebuild.
Chris and Liam are listed as directors of the company that spent $4.3 million on a Suffolk Park beachfront late last year, which was mooted to become the home of their parents Craig and Leonie.
The Thor star and Pataky are putting the final touches to their Broken Head mega-mansion, after knocking down the eight-bedroom home they bought for $7 million in 2014.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
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Chris Hemsworth clan continues Byron Bay buy up

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Harvey Norman boss Katie Page has sold Akita, her popular longtime Byron Bay holiday rental investment, set on the sands of Tallow Beach, for around $2.6 million.
Page, one of the longest CEO's having taken the helm of the retail giant in 1999, bought <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/87-alcorn-st-suffolk-park-nsw-2481" target="_blank">the Suffolk Park home</a> in 2006.
The Balinese inspired beachfront has three bedroom.
It sits privately behind 100-year-old Vietnamese entry gates to the hand carved Balinese front door.
A self-contained, one bedroom rustic cottage called Bamboo Beach Shack sits in the Zen like gardens and is moments from the beach.
First National Byron Bay agents Su Reynolds and Helene Adams sold the Alcorn Street home.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph.
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Akita, popular Alcorn Street, Suffolk Park holiday rental sold

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Forget whale watching.
It's been hectic keeping up with the recent comings and goings of the international A-team around Byron Bay.
Some buying, some renting, and all understandably very laid-back in their dealings.
Now Australian model Gemma Ward and her photographer partner David Letts have joined the heightened period of property market activity.
The couple have been periodic visitors to the coastal town since paying $1.6 million in 2015.
But earlier this month they put their Suffolk Park retreat up for permanent lease.
The Suffolk Park home was only ever an occasional retreat for the couple, who have ongoing work commitments across the world.
Using the same photos used from the sale listing three years ago, Byron Beach agent William Green is seeking $1,250 a week tenants.
He is marketing it as an "ideal family home."
The three bedroom beach home is bordered by dense trees, shielding it somewhat from Tallow Beach which can be accessed via a sandy track.
The living and dining area and master bedroom open to a deck which features a heated spa and the swimming pool.
The home is being offered fully furnished.
Ward was up in Byron late last month when she spotted a Koala crossing the road, promptly uploading the video to her Instagram. 
Meanwhile the Bourne Identity trilogy star Matt Damon has been somewhat of a regular visitor to the popular tourist spot, with whispers he'd bought near good mate, Thor actor Chris Hemsworth.
Damon's seemingly has secured a rental. Damon’s rental, Blackwood House had been a holiday rental for his Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus over the summer, and Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky have the lease over the adjoining property, Titijaru, while their nearby $7 million home is under renovation with an $8 million rebuild.
Any permanent move down under by Damon - having reputedly become fed up with the policies of US President Donald Trump - have been dismissed by his publicist.
Fellow A-lister Margot Robbie is also rumoured to have bought an eco-friendly home on Byron's outskirts, but there's no documentation showing the home has actually been sold.
The actress, who's been in Australia for the premiere of her new animated movie Peter Rabbit, has previously suggested she struggles with homesickness and would like to return to Australia a few times a year with her husband, the British film director Tom Ackerley who married in Byron in 2016.
Gemma Ward's plans are unknown. Last year Ward sold her unrenovated Avalon shack for $1.65 million, which had been bought in 2016 for $1.6 million.
The couple have two children after the birth of baby boy Jett Ocean earlier this year joining three year old Hawaiian born daughter,Naia.
From Perth, Ward made her Australian Fashion Week debut at only 15 years old and went on to become the youngest model to appear on the American edition of Vogue.
The pair's appreciation for the far north coast emerged when they were attendees at Byron's Bay's popular Easter jazz festival Bluesfest in 2015, attending with her model friend, Nicole Trunfio.
They'd been there is 2009 when Ward, who divides her time between Australia, Los Angeles and New York, spent weeks renting a beachside mansion at Suffolk Park with Nicole Trunfio.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Boho couple Gemma Ward and David Letts seek Suffolk Park tenants

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A tranquil three bedroom beachside cottage in Byron Bay suburb Suffolk Park has been listed for sale, with a price guide of $1.45 million.
The 581 sqm residence at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-suffolk+park-124368558" target="_blank">10 Glasgow Street</a> backs onto a nature reserve and is surrounded by tropical gardens. The home is positioned only 600 metres to Tallow Beach, and only 150 metres from shops and restaurants.
Suffolk Park is a popular destination for holidaymakers, and is located five kilometres south of Byron Bay. The area attracts a median house price of $987,000.
The renovated and luxurious property offers a modern kitchen, open plan living and dining areas, and two well appointed bathrooms.
Its exterior features an outdoor terrace, 7 metre in-ground pool, separate extra bedroom, and a single carport.
A four bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-suffolk+park-125142286" target="_blank">68 Brandon Street</a> traded for $1.8 million in May 2017.
A two bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-nsw-suffolk+park-124752362" target="_blank">4/55 Brandon Street</a> was also sold for $860,000 in May 2017.
The property is offered through Byron Bay Property Sales.
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Suffolk Park beachside cottage listed

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A four bedroom home at Suffolk Park has been listed for sale with $2.9 million to $3.19 million price guidance.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-suffolk+park-121567942" target="_blank">2/2 Alcorn Street</a> the Byron Bay district property has a direct beach access with the Arakwal National Park at its back door.
It is a private location due to the property being a gated estate.
There is a pool and an extensive poolside gazebo with entertaining areas.
The property is an open plan retreat style modern home with balconies on all sides of the house.
There is also an open plan kitchen with the dining and living area opening out onto timber decks.
The property is offered by Your Hot Property agent Daniel Baxter.
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