Joel Robinson

Sydney's top 15 new apartments developments set to launch in 2026

Developer-builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dasco-australia">DASCO</a> has pushed beyond the now-standard inclusions of rooftop pools and landscaped podiums at its recently launched new Epping project, Senso.

It has laid out over 4,000 sqm of resident-only amenity in a move designed to compete directly with low-density housing on livability, not just density. The result is a development that supports genuine daily use through purposeful spaces distributed across its five-building, 479-apartment precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4396]

Two rooftop pools form the anchor of Senso. One is a 27-metre lap pool adjoining a heated spa, designed for everyday fitness rather than just summer leisure. The second sits on a lower podium, allowing different buildings to share in vertical access and reducing crowding during peak times.

It is the secondary spaces that start to distinguish Senso from other large-scale suburban projects. A rooftop cinema is integrated into a landscaped terrace, offering open-air screenings with natural ventilation and passive cooling.&nbsp;

The inclusion of a “sensory walk”, an elevated boardwalk that threads through the site, suggests a rare investment in non-commercial, non-essential amenity: space for quiet movement that doesn’t double as access or traffic circulation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4402]

The gym and wellness centre, often relegated to a small ground-floor room in many builds, takes on more substance here. Residents have access to a fully equipped gym, as well as outdoor yoga areas and meditative zones that integrate greenery and natural light.&nbsp;

The Club Lounge is similarly designed to support multiple use cases, with a private dining terrace, kitchenette, workspace, and lockable wine storage. These aren’t superficial additions; their scale and spatial allocation indicate serious intent for frequent resident use.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4391]

Importantly, Senso’s amenities are embedded within a site that spans more than 10,000 sqm, allowing for better separation between spaces and reduced noise spillover, a critical but often overlooked factor in high-density developments. This spatial generosity also enables multiple alfresco kitchens and communal terraces without compromising individual privacy or usable space.

While many developments make claims about lifestyle, few back it with this level of built infrastructure. Senso’s mix of dedicated fitness, wellness, social and passive green spaces suggests a conscious response to the post-pandemic shift in housing expectations, especially among owner-occupiers.&nbsp;

DASCO is one of several leading developers who have taken out Resilience Insurance's Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing buyers with a 10-year structural and waterproofing warranty, and giving them the ultimate peace of mind.

Senso is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134954]

Staff Writer

The outdoor amenities elevating life at Senso, Epping

Following the proposal by the Minns Labor Government to rezone Parramatta Road to create up to 8,000 new homes, prominent developer Ceerose has gone to the NSW Gov to increase the density of its new mixed-use residential building in Leichhardt.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/ceerose">Ceerose</a>, founded by Edward Doueihi nearly three decades ago, has filed plans for 154 apartments above ground-floor retail at 307-315 Parramatta Road, a key corner site near Norton Street, the main high street strip in Leichhardt.

It's an upsize from the previously approved scheme of 63 apartments across a seven-storey building.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba1ae75b-5f08-43fb-b8d5-3de6d9f6ef71" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.39%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yA3hBBLPH4ev7MsAE0_hieXeqiFqBUb7" />

The project is being advanced through the State Significant Development (SSD) pathway, with concurrent rezoning sought to facilitate the proposal. The 10-storey development would rise over a four-level basement and deliver two retail tenancies, one a larger-format offering and the other a smaller “hole in the wall” space, addressing the Parramatta Road frontage. 21 of the apartments are dedicated as affordable housing.

According to the Urban Design Report by Architecture AND, the scheme includes a podium and tower configuration, with a fine-grain, two-storey parapet street wall that references the traditional shopfront rhythm along the corridor. “An elegant tower form is proposed, combined with a characterful two storey frontage... articulating it as two related buildings, providing consistency with the rhythm and grain of Parramatta Road,” the report notes.

The residential component is split across two slender towers set back from the street edge, a design move aimed at preserving solar access and reducing perceived bulk. This massing strategy also seeks to improve residential amenity by focusing scale toward the quieter northern interface, away from Parramatta Road’s noise and pollution.

<img alt="Ceerose" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="347f2f8f-5d36-4388-b40a-2e77380b9c19" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-04%20at%2010.31.02%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=xvyUE2ujT1lzivXTo.mHBJFF4SmfgLtz" />

Architecture AND has worked with Ceerose on previous Inner West projects, and cites a deep familiarity with the local character. Their design draws heavily on context, heritage, and sunlight access considerations, and engages with the Inner West Council’s “Our Fairer Future” strategic planning framework.

The site spans 2,712 sqm and is located near key intersections with Catherine Street, Hay Street, and Redmond Street. It adjoins a public carpark to the north and is within walking distance of Stanmore and Petersham stations. It is also flagged in state and local planning strategies, including the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, as a suitable candidate for increased density.

Ceerose recently completed The Alex Collective on McEvoy Street in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay.

The Parramatta Road corridor is coming to life with the proposed rezoning which is serviced by a significant number of bus, light rail and train routes.

Deicorp is progressing with its $1.8 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> precinct on Parramatta Road in Five Dock, as is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/toga-to-push-on-with-five-dock-mixed-use-masterplan">TOGA further down the street</a>. Those two projects alone will bring nearly 2,000 new homes to Parramatta Road.

First look: Ceerose plots mixed-use Leichhardt development on Parramatta Road

North Sydney's landmark 'SBS Building' on Alfred Street is set to be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use residential tower in the booming North Sydney.

Commercial property group FiveX is behind the plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/275-alfred-street-north-north-sydney-nsw-2060">39-storey tower</a>, the latest project to advance under the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

They are proposing 184 apartments above retail spaces, which will replace the existing 20-storey commercial building. FiveX was set up more than five decades ago by Joshua and Marko Berger. It is currently led by Joshua's son Lesli.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower at 275 Alfred Street, North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2efa0980-53fa-4cca-9f9e-9c3c845d4746" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29%20%281%29_0.png?VersionId=y_YyPMq3NQLfYRs84pP4os9UgWiMLp75" />

According to the Architectural Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fjc-studio">FJC Studio</a>, the slender tower form has been deliberately designed to respect the site's transitional setting at the southern gateway to the North Sydney CBD, where high-rise towers give way to lower-scale residential precincts.

"The slender tower form and articulated podium establish a respectful relationship with nearby heritage and low rise buildings, including the Whaling Road Heritage Conservation Area,” the architecture firm noted, adding that the tower “completes a missing link in the urban fabric” while enhancing the Alfred Street streetscape.

The proposed building will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with 15 percent of the gross residential floor area allocated as affordable housing. There is an agreement already in place that those apartments will be managed by Evolve Housing.

The project aligns with broader state housing objectives, including the National Housing Accord target of delivering 1.2 million new homes by 2029. The Scoping Report filed with the State Significant Development Application (SSDA) suggests the site "presents no impediments to rapid delivery,” with construction able to commence within 12 months of receiving consent.

North Sydney has been one of the most popular suburbs in Sydney for new and off the plan apartment development, but hasn't had the supply to keep up with demand, until recently.

AURA by Aqualand was, for a long time, the only off the plan apartment building on the market. That completed last year, and has sold the majority of its 386 luxury apartments. Recently ALAND launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-173-179-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> on the same street, selling over $100 million within just a few hours of its launch, while developer CASA also launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-mclaren-north-sydney-45-mclaren-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The McLaren</a>&nbsp;in the same precinct.

First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney

Kokoda Property Group has announced the Sydney-based Versatile Construction as the builder for its landmark $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a> precinct.

Construction of the 17,612 sqm site is scheduled to commence in December 2025 and is expected to be delivered in stages from 2028. Once complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a> will comprise 212 residences across four architecturally distinct buildings, alongside Brisbane’s first Kimpton Hotel, extensive retail, hospitality, and wellness amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139896 project_image_fid=295098]

Kokoda Property Group Founder and Managing Director, Mark Stevens, said appointing Versatile Construction marks a significant milestone for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a>.

“Partnering with Versatile Construction gives us confidence in delivering a precinct that sets a new benchmark for luxury living, curated experiences and vibrant riverfront activation," Stevens said.

"Together, we will bring the vision for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a> to life, creating a destination that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations."

Throughout the construction phase, more than 2,000 jobs will be created, supporting hundreds of local contractors and suppliers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139896 project_image_fid=352274]

Marco Fahd, Chairman &amp; CEO at Versatile Group, said the company is looking forward to&nbsp;expanding their footprint in the state, taking on their inaugural project in Brisbane.

"We are proud of the unwavering commitment our team of experts have to quality and certainty in delivery and are excited to work with Kokoda to bring their vision for this unique project to life," Fahd says.

Sales reached $285 million on the launch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a>, with sales momentum continuing to "exceed all expectations."

Stevens says the overwhelming response from buyers validated the group’s vision for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/teneriffe-banks-17-27-skyring-terrace-teneriffe-qld-4005">Teneriffe Banks</a>.

“The demand for a luxury product in this enclave has been extraordinary, we’ve never seen anything like it before. It reinforces everything we’re doing around quality, design, and creating genuine lifestyle precincts. Buyers are recognising the enduring value of Brisbane’s riverfront and are responding to the opportunity to live within a world-class destination that celebrates both place and lifestyle.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139896]

Kokoda appoints builder for $1.5 billion Teneriffe Banks waterfront precinct

Trade Surplus

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Australia's trade balance is now falling away. In fact, it was already tailing away by the end of February.
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOmhb_SA0jA/Xoxjg6jjTAI/AAAAAAAA1I4/z6XkdAsKbEEsekV4D5rPxPY-9iwwGHnwACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IT1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOmhb_SA0jA/Xoxjg6jjTAI/AAAAAAAA1I4/z6XkdAsKbEEsekV4D5rPxPY-9iwwGHnwACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IT1.jpg" width="640" height="372" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1402"></a></div>
Coal exports were dropping away in the early months of 2020.
 
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And commodity export values had rolled over. <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XinURAg-fLg/XoxjhIC658I/AAAAAAAA1JA/7IOfS1zHzgcbMnLHiaYwpBlodZB4CfuOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IT3.jpg" style="font-size: 12.16px;"></a>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XinURAg-fLg/XoxjhIC658I/AAAAAAAA1JA/7IOfS1zHzgcbMnLHiaYwpBlodZB4CfuOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IT3.jpg" style="font-size: 12.16px;"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XinURAg-fLg/XoxjhIC658I/AAAAAAAA1JA/7IOfS1zHzgcbMnLHiaYwpBlodZB4CfuOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IT3.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1441"></a>
Worryingly, even in February services credits were hammered, as tourism began to dry up.
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpYKdHb0Tn4/Xoxjh8WkNAI/AAAAAAAA1JE/BLjF-zHbAN4U6BUBPBbalg5wG7WV-LYiwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IT4.jpg" style="font-size: 12.16px;"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpYKdHb0Tn4/Xoxjh8WkNAI/AAAAAAAA1JE/BLjF-zHbAN4U6BUBPBbalg5wG7WV-LYiwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IT4.jpg" width="640" height="390" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1364"></a>
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<div class="separator">The Reserve Bank didn't sugar-coat anything in its Minutes today, predicting a sharp contraction in growth and a substantial rise in unemployment.</div>
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<div>The RBA noted that financial markets have been operating somewhat more effectively, partly thanks to central bank measures around the world, with a starburst of co-ordinated fiscal and monetary stimulus coming down the pipe. </div>
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<div>Borrowing costs for some new borrowers are declining, but note that these trends impact borrowers on a case by case basis, and in some respects lending standards and assessments have been tightening and becoming more conservative.</div>
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PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Australia's trade balance is falling away: Pete Wargent

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In the month of March, the import bill declined by $0.5bn, down by 1.5%, to $34.4bn. Weakness in the month was driven by volatility in transport equipment (both capital and consumer) - stripping this out, imports rose by 0.7% in March.
The export detail remains volatile, with temporary supply disruptions a factor. In the month of March, metal ores slumped by $1.2bn, largely as anticipated, as iron ore shipments were delayed by Cyclone Veronica. Coal exports rose by $0.8bn, on a rebound in volumes, while gold fell back by $0.6bn, off a high base.
For the March quarter, the ABS advise that the trade surplus widened to $14.2bn from $8.6bn in Q4, an improvement of $5.6bn.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/trade%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<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/2019/5/7/trade%201.jpg" alt="">
Key to this development was higher commodity prices, which boosted export earnings. The terms of trade increased in the order of 3% in the quarter, we estimate.
Export earnings in Q1 rose by a little over 3.5%, while the import bill actually shrank, down by 1.4%.
Our preliminary calculations suggest that: export volumes expanded modestly in the quarter, up by almost 0.5%, with a sharp rebound in gold off a low base a key positive; and imports were soft in the quarter, contracting by almost 1.5%, against the backdrop of patchy domestic demand across the private sector.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/trade%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<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/2019/5/7/trade%202.jpg" alt="">
On these preliminary calculations, real net exports likely added to activity in Q1, potentially in the order of 0.3ppts to 0.4ppts. This is an upside surprise to our forecast of +0.1ppt – albeit largely driven by falling imports (a sign of domestic weakness) rather than by strength in exports.
Such an outcome represents a turnaround from the December quarter 2018, when net exports subtracted 0.2ppts from activity as export volumes declined by 0.7%, dented by the impact of the drought and temporary disruptions in the resources sector.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/trade%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
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Key points:
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•In March, the trade surplus remained elevated at $4.9bn, only down a little from a record high of $5.1bn for February (revised up from $4.9bn).
•The March outcome exceeded expectations (market median $4.5bn and Westpac $4.2bn).
•Imports were the main surprise, falling by a further 1.5%, rather than rebounding by 1.0% as we anticipated.
•Exports fell but by somewhat more than anticipated, down by 1.8% v's a forecast -0.6%
•For the March quarter, the ABS advise that the trade surplus widened to $14.2bn from $8.6bn in Q4, an improvement of $5.6bn.
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Andrew Hanlan is senior economist for Westpac and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-hanlan/3/222/430" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Australia's trade account, surplus elevated at a near record high: Andrew Hanlan

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In February, the trade surplus climbed to a record high of $4.8bn, up from $4.35bn in January, eclipsing the previous record of $4.6bn in December 2016. The February result exceeded expectations (market median $3.7bn and Westpac $3.8bn).
Imports surprised to the low side, declining by 1.1%, whereas we anticipate a rise of 1.1%. A drop in fuels was the source of weakness.
Exports provided an upside surprise, increasing by 0.2% vs a forecast decline of 0.9%. Notably, the expected pull-back in gold failed to materialise.
More fundamentally, a key dynamic driving a widening of the trade surplus is the boost to export earnings from higher commodity prices, notably for iron ore and coal.  Total exports in February are 13.2% above the level of a year ago, outstripping a 4.4% rise in imports.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/TRADE%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
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Metal ore exports (including iron ore) jumped in February, as anticipated, up by $1.0bn to $9.6bn - which is also a record high. Recall, the iron ore price leapt to US$85/t in the month as global supply was dented by the tailings dam disaster in Brazil. Iron ore is now trading close to US$90/t.
The trade surplus in the March quarter to date is running at $4.6bn a month, well up from $2.9bn per month in the December quarter. The bulk of this improvement likely reflects higher commodity prices.
The lift in commodity prices is boosting Australia's national income, which is flowing through to higher tax revenues - providing governments with additional fiscal flexibility, as evident in recent budget updates. However, despite this, wages growth remains sluggish.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/TRADE%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
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In February, the import bill declined by 1.1% to $35.0bn. Key to the fall was a drop in fuels, down $344mn. Imports ex fuel were broadly flat in the month, inching 0.1% lower. Similarly, for the March quarter to date relative to the December quarter, fuels are tracking sharply lower - likely a mix of lower prices and lower volumes.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/TRADE%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/3/TRADE%203.jpg" alt="">
Export earnings inched 0.2% higher in the month of February. As noted above, metal ores (including iron ore) jumped by $1.0bn to $9.6bn, a record high - driven by rising prices. Coal fell by $0.8bn on lower volumes. For the quarter to date, export earnings are up by around 4% on the December quarter - led higher by metal ores and gold, as well as rural goods, more than offsetting a softening for coal.
ANDREW HANLAN is a senior economist for Westpac
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