National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more internation and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Joel Robinson

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-5" data-turn="user" data-turn-id="e65dbe94-e3b6-47f7-b62a-9cbb30c9bf79" data-turn-id-container="e65dbe94-e3b6-47f7-b62a-9cbb30c9bf79" dir="auto">Time &amp; Place’s plans to transform the former David Jones factory building in Surry Hills into a mixed-use residential precinct have gone on exhibition through the NSW Government’s In-fill Affordable Housing pathway.</section>

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:f4d533b7-64a5-413d-86fd-5c99649c2b73-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:f4d533b7-64a5-413d-86fd-5c99649c2b73-2" dir="auto">
The Marlborough House proposal, lodged for the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marlborough-house-47-97-marlborough-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">47-97 Marlborough Street</a> site, would see the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed warehouse building alongside the construction of new residential additions and a separate apartment building on the northern portion of the site.

The proposal seeks approval for 172 apartments across three buildings, including 15 per cent affordable housing managed by a community housing provider for at least 15 years from occupation.

<img alt="Marlborough" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d1d3c2a-bf13-47d6-a335-7c01102cdee1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=cjMYrbR.BLUlWH4dar0RVDDo0bG.u2YT" />

Interior view from the Northern Building Penthouse overlooking the park

&nbsp;

The redevelopment is planned for the prominent 3,413 sqm site bounded by Marlborough Street, Goodlet Street and Lansdowne Street, directly opposite Eddie Ward Park and around 200 metres from the Surry Hills light rail stop.

Time &amp; Place acquired the former David Jones building in 2024, marking the first time the property had changed hands in around 50 years.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal centres around the adaptive reuse of the former David Jones factory, originally constructed between 1913 and 1935 in the Inter-War Chicagoesque architectural style.

Wardle noted in its Architectural Design Report that the building “occupies a significant place in the industrial and cultural history of Surry Hills” and at its peak was “the largest department store manufacturing facility in Australia, employing over 800 people and fuelling the growth of Sydney’s fashion and retail industries.”

The practice said the project positions itself “not as an isolated intervention, but as a contributor to the civic, social, and architectural grain of the precinct.”

The proposal would deliver 75 apartments within the retained southern heritage building, 59 apartments within the central addition, and a further 38 apartments within the new northern building fronting Lansdowne Street.

Planning documents show the scheme would comprise a mix of heritage apartments, new-build apartments, townhouses and penthouses.

<img alt="Marlborough" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57758518-40a3-4b83-958c-d06e96a2cffa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.42%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VerlX9ST5xgBi8.1_YRsqdWTJeT6ygjs" />Interior View of the Heritage Building Apartment

The development would also include a ground-floor retail tenancy on the corner of Marlborough and Lansdowne streets, rooftop communal open space, a landscaped pedestrian link along the western edge of the site, and basement parking accessed from Lansdowne Street via a car stacker system.

&nbsp;

The scheme emerged from a competitive design process run by Urbis, with Wardle ultimately selected as the winning architect ahead of FJC Studio, TZG, Architectus and Wilkinson Eyre.

The Design Integrity Panel later described several aspects of the Wardle scheme as fundamental to the project, including “the stepped character of the new addition to the north of the site”, the landscaped western pedestrian link, and the “garden arrival” experience separating the original Marlborough House from the heritage addition.

Wardle’s design heavily references the site’s industrial and heritage history, while also responding to the surrounding Surry Hills streetscape.

The Architectural Design Report describes Surry Hills as “a finely grained neighbourhood with beautiful and expressive brickworks throughout the suburb,” with the proposal introducing a material palette intended to sit comfortably alongside the existing warehouse fabric and neighbouring terraces.

The report also outlines the project’s relationship with Eddie Ward Park and the broader landscape context of the area.

“Marlborough House occupies a site of deep cultural memory and the neighbouring Eddie Ward Park is of local ecological significance, where natural systems, topography, and stories have long shaped human experience,” Wardle noted in the report.

The architects said the proposal sought to “rebind built form to Country” through landscape, materiality and the adaptive reuse of the heritage structure.

<img alt="Marlborough House" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ae3f2f9-c85f-477a-a6f8-b43f6cb97c41" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.29.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=B.qUCLqRvJOR.n9CvYcTpaknIX9LuqKZ" />

The project is also being progressed under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions, allowing developments that include affordable housing to access additional height and floor space incentives.

Under the plans, 2,593 sqm of the project’s floor space would be dedicated to affordable housing, slightly exceeding the required 15 per cent threshold.

In its Design Excellence Strategy, Urbis said the project aimed to “sensitively adapt and enhance the heritage-listed building on site through alterations and additions that preserve its historical significance” while delivering “high-quality market and infill affordable housing development in Surry Hills.”

Time &amp; Place has been one of the most active developers nationally in the last 12 to 24 months. Late last year they completed&nbsp;The Queensbridge in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>, a mixed-use tower with 353 apartments and a hotel. They are currently selling Park Modern, 246 apartments near the famous Botanic Gardens in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/south-melbourne-vic-3205">South Melbourne</a>, and have future projects, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-wilmot-173-burke-road-28-hope-street-glen-iris-vic-3146">The Wilmot</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>, the redevelopment of the Northcote Plaza, and another tower in South Melbourne.

The developer broke into Sydney just a few years ago with Two Tides in Manly. They have another project nearby, which is at the ultra-luxury end of the market on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/shoreline-manly-beach-89-90-north-steyne-manly">North Steyne</a>, fronting the beach.

It is also continuing to work through the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-time-place-settles-on-design-for-the-chimes-potts-point-redevelopment">redevelopment of The Chimes building</a> on Macleay Street in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/potts-point-nsw-2011">Potts Point</a>, as well as a project on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/time-place-to-take-on-mosman-apartment-market">Mosman's Redan Street</a>.
</section>

First look: Time & Place unveils Marlborough House redevelopment designs for former David Jones warehouse in Surry Hills

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

Sydney off the plan apartments

Prominent developer Fortis is set to develop its first project in <a href="/developments/elizabeth-bay-nsw-2011">Elizabeth Bay</a>, filing plans for two strikingly distinctive buildings on two of the harbourside suburb's best streets.

Regency House, on an amalgamated 1,464 sqm block across 10 Onslow Avenue and 21C Billyard Avenue, will comprise two Smart Studio-designed buildings which will home 22 apartments.

The $23.25 million project will see two early 1970s, freestanding flat buildings demolished to make way for the two buildings. The two current buildings, which home 30 strata-title apartments, are not heritage-listed, but&nbsp;identified as a "Neutral Item" under the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012.

<img alt="Elizabeth Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e413632b-4863-4b34-bc91-95ff65d16b28" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%204.54.14%20pm.png?VersionId=FfwnuXUPuke_rKKU6FjehldajVtbgaCO" />

The plans are for three two-bedroom apartments, 18 three-bedroom units, and a sole four-bedroom apartment, which will span 279 sqm.

The two-bed apartments start from 87 sqm and the three-bedroom apartments range from 141 sqm to 229 sqm.

27 parking spaces will be provided for the 22 residences, eight with EV charging but the other 19 with the provision to add at a later date.

Private rooftop terraces for the penthouses of 10 Onslow and 21C Billyard will have barbecue and lounge areas and private pools.

Smart Design Studio wrote in their Design Statement submitted to the City of Sydney that they took into consideration the immediate neighbourhood, which has many inter-war Art Deco functionalist style buildings, when designing the project.

"This refers to an era with predominantly clinker brick apartments of different red, brown tones, form, texture, protrusion, and geometry. Including a variety of brick bonds with decorative motifs in horizontal and parallel lines. This makes this material quality not only unique for its brickwork but moreover the craftsmanship of the time. This is something we examined in our report and employed in our design principles and proposed brickwork."

They say the north-facing facades from Billyard Street are&nbsp;characterised by simple geometric massing,&nbsp;undulating horizontally expressed curves and strong restrained vertical lines, while the Onslow Street south-facing facades are characteristic by their “punched window” expression.

<img alt="Elizabeth Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52fbfccb-f0ac-4e95-8d8f-e168c99b8d82" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%204.52.15%20pm.png?VersionId=l7G3f8H6chq48W7IAMJnY2cf66MiIJDk" />

The project is nearby Elizabeth Bay landmark houses including Boomerang, Tresco, Kincoppal and Ashton. Smart said the existing buildings do not make a positive contribution to the Elizabeth Bay area and demolition would not have a detremental impact on the established character of heritage zone.

"The proposed development will sit well within the existing context, external form and materiality and will not compromise the heritage character of area."

Fortis have a significant pipeline of both residential and commercial projects across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Earlier this year they submitted a development application for their first Queensland project, a high-end tower in Brisbane's affluent riverside suburb Kangaroo Point.

<a href="/news/qld/exclusive-first-look-fortis-propose-full-floor-apartments-at-first-brisbane-apartment-development">Exclusive first look: Fortis propose full floor apartments at first Brisbane apartment development</a>

The project, on an amalgamated 1,464 sqm block across 10 Onslow Avenue and 21C Billyard Avenue, will comprise two Smart Studio-designed buildings which will home 22 apartments

Fortis file Regency House, Elizabeth Bay apartment development plans

The famous Kings Cross intersection, crowned by the iconic looping Coca-Cola sign, is a cherished landmark etched into Sydney's collective memory.

It's been a permanent fixture since the mid 1970s, while the neighbouring apartment tower, Horizon by Harry Seidler, is one of Sydney's, if not Australia's, most notable buildings.

It was important for developer Greenland Australia to bring something iconic to the renowned intersection, the gateway to Kings Cross.

Their Victoria Street glass tower, Omnia, completed in 2018, serves as a modern counterpart to the historic area. The tower stands as a curvaceous hourglass on a tiled podium, an elegant nod to the renowned Coca-Cola sign.

The development, completed at the end of 2018, finds its home on the grounds of the former Crest Hotel. The metamorphosis from a hotel accommodation to luxurious residential living required substantial transformation, encompassing partial demolition of existing structures, combined with significant alterations and additions.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5810 project_image_fid=86815]

Designed by the award-winning architects Durbach Block Jaggers, in collaboration with interior designers SJB, Omnia is home to 135 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Each benefits from&nbsp;panoramic vistas that stretch across the Sydney CBD skyline to the west, while to the east, views of Elizabeth Bay, Watsons Bay, and the iconic North and South Heads are on offer.&nbsp;Many of the apartments offer dual-level layouts and L-shaped sections, with the design strategy also welcoming an abundance of natural light into each.&nbsp;

The ground floor boasts a supermarket and specialty retail stores, while level one houses a selection of outlets.A lobby concierge and state-of-the-art security system enhance the sense of comfort and exclusivity, while below ground a basement car park caters to the residents' and business owners' needs.

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Omnia presents manicured open-air podium gardens, adorned with lush greenery and barbecue facilities.&nbsp;A communal garden also occupies the space between the podium and tower,&nbsp;not only beautifying the streetscape but also invigorating the grand intersection with life and lush landscapes.

The strategic location places residents within a stone's throw from the Kings Cross train station or a 10-minute walk from the heart of Sydney's CBD.

Top-tier restaurants such as Ms G’s, The Butler, Cho Cho San, and Apollo, along with the Woolloomooloo Wharf dining precinct, beckon food aficionados, while recreational facilities like Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool, Rushcutters Bay Park, and Centennial Park are also within proximity.&nbsp;

For families, Omnia's proximity to prestigious institutions including St Vincent’s Potts Point, Ascham Girls, Cranbrook, and Scots College offers a compelling advantage.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5810]

Their Victoria Street glass tower, Omnia, completed in 2018, serves as a modern counterpart to the historic area


alisonwarters@gmail.com

From hotel to high-end apartments: The transformation of the Kings Cross Crest Hotel into Omnia

Nestled on the border of Roseville village and the commercial hub of Chatswood, DASCO's newest apartment development One Rose offers an exceptional location that seamlessly blends urban vitality with suburban tranquility.

The residential development provides residents with the best of both worlds, boasting a peaceful lifestyle while enjoying the convenience and vibrancy of one of Sydney's most thriving urban centres, with proximity to major amenities and transportation links.

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Roseville has long been regarded as a family friendly suburb, predominantly due to the fact over two thirds of dwellings in the suburb are houses, and it's near a number of some of the best schools in the state.

Commuting to and from the Sydney CBD is simple with both the Roseville Train Station and Chatswood Interchange in close proximity to One Rose. The train takes just 25 minutes into the city centre.

It's well connected to shopping precincts such as Chatswood Chase and Roseville Village, which offer both high-end retailers and daily essentials.&nbsp;

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For dining and entertainment, the surrounding area offers a diverse array of options. There's Calibrate Coffee which is just under a 10-minute walk, or the up-scale French restaurant&nbsp;Saveur which is also just a short stroll away from One Rose.

Residents can catch a show at The Concourse, or experience the latest movies at Roseville Cinemas.&nbsp;

Roseville is known for it's abundance of greenery, with a number of parks and recreational facilities just moments from the development. Residents can relish the green spaces of Beauchamp Park and Blue Gum Reserve, or take a swing at Chatswood Golf Club and Castlecove Golf Club within minutes of leaving One Rose.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113191]

The residential development provides residents with the best of both worlds, boasting a peaceful lifestyle while enjoying the convenience and vibrancy of one of Sydney's most thriving urban centres

Delivering a balance of urban and suburban living: How One Rose takes advantage of its Roseville location

Leading Australian property group Aqualand is in the early stages of planning its first build to rent project, with the company adding the burgeoning housing model to its portfolio to assist in easing Sydney’s high-quality rental shortage.

The project, which is planned to be built on the site of Aqualand’s existing commercial building at 146 Arthur Street in <a href="/developments/north-sydney-nsw">North Sydney</a>, has recently had a Secretary’s Environmental&nbsp;Assessment Requirements (SEARs) application issued.

The proposed 40-storey project will see around 300 apartments available for rent above a lively ground floor retail and commercial precinct in the heart of the rejuvenated North Sydney CBD, just 400 metres from North Sydney Station and 250 metres from the future Victoria Cross Metro Station.

Aqualand sees the move of adding build to rent to its growing range of property offerings as a natural pivot to help alleviate the restricted rental market, which is an increasingly important segment of the local housing sector, by helping to address the rising demand for rentable, high quality and professionally managed residences.

“We look forward to being committed to our future residents by providing them with a high-quality rental product with a large range of amenities and services designed to elevate their lifestyle experiences and create a strong sense of community,"&nbsp;Jin Lin, Aqualand’s Group Managing Director, said.

The redevelopment will include a&nbsp;sky deck, lounge area/bar, pool, gym, workspaces and communal dining room.

“Given the model’s popularity overseas, we’re keen to see it grow here, where there’s a growing need for local residents to secure long-term tenancies that offer a large range of amenities,” Lin added.

“Whilst the preference for rented accommodation has traditionally been strong with younger generations, the demand for high quality rental product now spans across multiple generations.

“We are already deeply committed to the North Sydney council area, as evidenced by our AURA by Aqualand residential project at 168 Walker Street, which is set to open in mid-2024, and our award-winning BLUE at Lavender Bay which was completed in 2021.

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"We also have other commercial assets in North Sydney, including 15 Blue Street and 132 Arthur Street, which are potential future redevelopment sites. Etymon Projects, the lifestyle and hospitality brand in the Aqualand Group, is bringing world-class hospitality venues to the North Sydney market with Loulou Bistro in Milsons Point, Poetica opening soon at 1 Denison Street and four new venues planned at AURA to open next year.

“These key projects are set to make a significant contribution to the vibrancy of the 18-hour economy in this important CBD precinct, which is in the midst of a major rejuvenation.”

Aqualand make first play in build to rent sector in North Sydney

Sydney's Hills District is abuzz with development activity of late. The work around the Hills Showground precinct has stolen much of the show in the local area, but Norwest, the new suburb only established five years ago, is starting to attract attention.

Haitchin Property Group have been working on Infinity Park, their Norwest masterplan, since securing approval in 2019. It includes 290 apartments across three distinct buildings.

The Marque tower, soaring 25 levels, and the low-rise Alpha and Omega buildings, home a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with extensive amenity featuring throughout the large Maitland Place site.

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At its heart is a sprawling tropical lagoon pool, the largest of its kind in the Hills District, winds through the lush landscaping. There's around 7,650 sqm of green space throughout the development.

PRD Norwest Managing Director David Inkster says what has been an attractive proposition for buyers in the provision of a car space in every apartment. The larger&nbsp;two and three-bedroom units offer two car spaces.

Inkster says it's essential to have a car when living in the Hills, even with the newly operational Metro Stations.

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Award-winning&nbsp;architects Turner have designed Infinity Park, which is slated for completion by mid-2025, while the sole commercial building will be complete in mid-2024.

The Marque building, the tallest of the three, seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings through its organic curved balconies and balustrades, creating a harmonious dialogue between the edifice and its environment.&nbsp;

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The project has received strong interest from local downsizers not wanting to miss out on the opportunity to live at Infinity Park, Inkster says.

"Infinity Park is certainly one of the most premium mixed-use communities in Norwest."

The project is located at one of the highest points in Norwest, offering residents views that span from the city skyline to the Blue Mountains.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=94408]

The project is located at one of the highest points in Norwest, offering residents views that span from the city skyline to the Blue Mountains

What's driving buyers to Norwest masterplan, Infinity Park

Aligning with the City of Sydney’s strategy of transforming inner-city urban precincts, Surry Hills Village will deliver the regeneration of a 1.2-hectare site to meet the needs of locals and visitors.

SJB Director Adam Haddow, one of the architects involved in designing TOGA's Surry Hills Village, has lived and worked in the area for 20 years, saying Surry Hills is his village.&nbsp;

Haddow thinks the project will&nbsp;add to the local landscape a sense of renewal and reinvigoration.

"One of the things we love about Surry Hills is walking through small laneways and down and finding new spaces and this will become a part of that experience of finding new things and experience of kind of tripping over a&nbsp;new space, or finding your most favourite restaurant or bar without even knowing it's there," Haddow said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Surry Hills Village will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom residence, designed with rare vision and clarity, offering space, amenity and upmarket finishes customary only in the finest private homes.

"I think one of the most important things about mixed use projects is you get a diversity of offering so you'll have commercial office space, you have retail space, you have residential space, getting that mix of residents and visitors is incredibly important to ensuring that they feed off each other and they give each other energy."

The vibrant market-style address will extend a new story to a whole new part of the city, with a range of&nbsp;green spaces, retail spaces and dining spaces also incorporated, including&nbsp;a Coles Supermarket and Vintage Cellars.

"From fashion boutiques to homewares, the retail offering within the Village is designed to nourish and complement the lives of residents, bringing together specialist producers, sellers and curators," Haddow said.

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"So our opportunity with doing this this project is that we can start to get people coming across the site&nbsp;together, so we weave it back in so the activity that you get from around the streets actually starts to inject itself on the site again, and vice versa, the activity of the site helps to reinvigorate the streets of Surry Hill," he added.&nbsp;

Haddow noted the challenge in designing Surry Hills Village was about&nbsp;finding a balance between the activity of the streets scape and a sense of quietness and reprieve in the green spaces that existed above.

"So that you can you can immerse yourself in that green space and you can feel a thousand kilometres away from anywhere, we wanted to give you that opportunity of&nbsp;having the activity of the ground and the quietness and sanctuary of above."

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Featuring the heritage brickwork of the former Bank of NSW’s façade, Surry Hills Village draws on and weaves within the aspects of its surroundings.

Nestled in the heart of Surry Hills, the development aims to capture and celebrate the suburb’s vibrancy and variety, referring to its local terrace house architecture, many and varied eateries and bars, colourful people and unique city fringe location located between Centennial Park and the CBD.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=9302]

SJB Director Adam Haddow has lived and worked in the area for 20 years, saying Surry Hills is his village. 

How SJB created a new haven in Surry Hills with Surry Hills Village precinct

Meriton are in the midst of developing what will be one of the tallest suburban structures in the country.&nbsp;

The Harry Triguboff-led development group are currently building Trilogy, a three-tower Macquarie Park project where the tallest building will soar 59 levels.&nbsp;

Situated on a premier island site adjacent to the Lane Cove National Park, Trilogy offers an ideal location just a stone's throw away from the bustling Macquarie Park Business Centre, the second-largest business district in New South Wales.

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There are a mix of one, one plus multi-purpose-room, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, with 70 percent of them to occupy a coveted corner position. Some apartments even feature semi-enclosed balconies, providing the ideal spot to take in the never-to-be-built-out vistas over the National Park, the CBD and surrounding district.&nbsp;

Residents can relish a host of amenities within the central podium garden, such as a barbecue pavilion, kids' nature play space equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, community gardens, and an outdoor fitness station.

Locking in today's price is an appealing prospect for buyers, ensuring protection against potential future construction cost increases. Moreover, Meriton Finance approval before the exchange guarantees a smooth settlement process.

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Meriton Property Finance offers a fixed interest rate of 5.5 per cent for three years, with up to 90 per cent financing of the purchase price and no valuation required.&nbsp;

First home buyers are also exempt from paying Stamp Duty on properties under $800,000, with a partial duty applicable for properties priced between $800,000 and $1 million.

Adding to the allure, Trilogy also presents a vibrant new retail destination, complete with restaurants, cafes, and a 120-place childcare centre.

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The development's impressive double-height lobbies welcome residents and visitors, while the provision of bicycle parking showcases a commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly living.

Trilogy ensures convenience with a dedicated onsite building manager, high-speed smart lifts, parcel lockers, and the option to upgrade car spaces with affordable EV car chargers.

Meriton's commitment to sustainable living continues with the provision of cheaper energy through Meriton Energy and individual smart water meters, maximising savings for residents.

Trilogy is slated for completion in 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89861]

The Harry Triguboff-led development group are currently building Trilogy, a three-tower Macquarie Park project where the tallest building will soar 59 levels

Meriton reach for the sky at Trilogy, Macquarie Park apartment development

Just over a decade ago, only around 3,000 people called Sydney's inner-city suburb Zetland home.

Fast forward 10 years and the population has spiked by 230 per cent, with government infrastructure and the appeal of living in Sydney's inner-fringe saw investors, renters, and prospective home buyers look to the small 0.3 square kilometre suburb.

The spike is no doubt in part to the revolution of Green Square, the new $13 billion precinct that's been particularly popular with Millenials due to its proximity to the city and relative affordability in comparison to other city fringe suburbs.

There's also the $106 million Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation which has been a focal point of the community since opening in 2021.

Recognising the emergence of Zetland was prominent Sydney developer builder Deicorp, who in 2020 paid $140 million for a 2.16-hectare site on Epsom Road, on the fringe of Green Square.

That's exactly what they've done with Downtown, their striking mixed-use development at 106-116 Epsom Road, on the fringe of the creative suburb Rosebery.

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They had architecture giants MHNDU and BVN work together to create four distinct residential buildings homing 546 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

The Epsom Road, city fringe location has been one of the main drivers in demand at Downtown.

Green Square Station is just an eight-minute walk, while the Eastern Distributor is even closer.

Within a short walk from Downtown residents will find a number of dining options including&nbsp;Buku Eatery, Social Society, Treetop Cafe, Cicco and Lucio Pizzeria and Village Crown.

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The nearby Alexandria is home to further popular eateries like&nbsp;South Dowling Sandwiches,&nbsp;Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie, and Sushi Jones Japanese Bistro, while the well-known Kepos Street Kitchen can be found in the nearby Redfern.&nbsp;

East Village Shopping Centre is located at the northern end of Zetland. That boasts over 60 convenience food and lifestyle shops.

Residents are within proximity to prestigious golf courses, racecourses, and sporting stadiums, including Moore Park Golf Course, Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney Football Stadium, and the historic SCG.

The inner east location puts Downtown residents within easy access of the beaches to the east, or Sydney's thriving inner west, with Newtown's King Street not far.

There are six parks within three kilometres of Downtown, 12 educational establishments within two kilometres, and 127 parks and green cafes with five kilometres.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7106]

Recognising the emergence of Zetland was prominent Sydney developer builder Deicorp, who in 2020 paid $140 million for a 2.16-hectare site on Epsom Road, on the fringe of Green Square.

How Deicorp's Downtown is taking advantage of Zetland's popularity boom

Piety's completed ONE The Waterfront apartment development stands as one of the most striking buildings in Wentworth Point, one of the last remaining new foreshore suburbs on Sydney Harbour.

It was 2015 when Piety secured what was just derelict industrial land. They went about creating what is now a sought-after precinct in an ideal waterfront location which has a number of different commuting options to the city.

ONE The Waterfront is perfectly positioned on Amalfi Drive, a stone's throw from Homebush Bay, across the water from Rhodes, and a short walk from the Olympic Park Train Station.

A waterfront location is nothing without a ferry link. ONE The Waterfront residents are less than a kilometre away from the Sydney Olympic Park Ferry Terminal which has ferries regularly cruising into Circular Quay. That commute takes just over 20 minutes.

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While there's a bus stop right outside ONE The Waterfront, there's even future upside for residents, with the proposed light rail link between Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park, via Parramatta, set to add yet another commuting option.

The Wentworth Point Promenade runs along the water to the&nbsp;330-metre-long Bennelong footbridge which connects Wentworth Point to Rhodes where there's more riverfront walks.

Closer to home is shopping centre Marina Square, near the ferry wharf and the Wentworth Point Public School. That homes over 15 different eateries, as well as convenient amenity such as a Coles, Anytime Fitness, medical centre, a spa, kids cafe, and the cool cocktail bar The Dancing Bear.

The area's amenity quotient is further amplified by Australia's largest urban parklands, which boast an unmatched 35 kilometres of cycleways. There's also the nearby state-of-the-art Pulse Club and the expansive open spaces of Bay Park, providing further recreational options.&nbsp;

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Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/nsw/why-were-onto-our-third-one-the-waterfront-apartment-in-wentworth-point-urban-buyer-q-a">Why we're onto our third ONE The Waterfront apartment in Wentworth Point: Urban Buyer Q&amp;A</a>

Those seeking relaxation can indulge in a movie night at the private screening room in ONE The Waterfront's Club One private lounge. Residents will also have access to resort-like private facilities such as an open-air rooftop cinema, a huge swimming pool, tennis courts and rooftop gardens.

For families, the benefits of living at ONE The Waterfront extend to the proximity of highly regarded public and private schools, the University of Western Sydney, and multiple childcare centres, making it an ideal place to raise children with access to quality education.

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How Piety's ONE The Waterfront apartments fit into their Wentworth Point locale

Work recently wrapped up at Granville Place, the vibrant urban village in the heart of Granville at&nbsp;14-38 Cowper Street.&nbsp;

Granville Place was developed&nbsp;by SHOKAI Ausbao, the Australian arm of the SHOKAI Group and the team&nbsp;behind Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour, in collaboration with Australian development and investment group Develotek.

The development comprises three residential towers, which home 619 apartments designed by&nbsp;Marchese Partners.

Ready for immediate occupancy, the recently completed one, two and three-bedroom apartments were constructed by top-tier Australian builders, Parkview Constructions.&nbsp;

One of the key advantages of Granville Place is its unparalleled access to amenities and services, including the newly created 1,400 sqm public park and 3,600 sqm residents-only podium resort.&nbsp;

The centrepiece of the urban village is the Granville Place shopping centre,&nbsp; with a Woolworths Metro, medical centre, childcare facility, gym, alfresco cafes, iconic restaurants, and various retail stores, residents will have everything they need at their doorstep.&nbsp;

Outdoor play spaces are just one minute away as well, providing quick access to recreational opportunities, while proximity to the train station allows for easy commuting, with just one step to catch a train and one more stop to reach Parramatta Station. Residents are also only a short walk away from the library and swimming pool, as well as a range of high-quality educational options.&nbsp;

The apartment buildings themselves boast an array of living options, with street-front and podium apartments, terrace garden homes, or elevated urban tower residences. The upgraded footpaths and public domain leading to the station and marketplace retail area enhance the overall living experience, while still maintaining a distinct traditional village feel.

Each apartment adjoins to a generously-proportioned balcony, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Select&nbsp;apartments even feature unique bay windows, while full-size sovereign spatial kitchens come complete with Caesar stone benchtops and splashbacks, as well as Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113020]

The development8 comprises three residential towers, which home 619 apartments designed by Marchese Partners

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