Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<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/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Trophy Sales

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EXPERT OBSERVER
My analysis reveals that over the 2017-18 financial year, annual value growth fell from 10.2% over the previous financial year to a decline of -0.8% this year.
The largest fall in values is occurring for Sydney and Melbourne’s most expensive properties.
This has resulted in the number of sales at, or in excess, of $1 million starting to trend marginally lower across the nation.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%201.JPG" alt="">
As housing market conditions continue to weaken, it is anticipated that there will continue to be fewer sales above the $1 million threshold.
Over the 12 months to June 2018, 16.0% of all houses and 8.8% of all units sold nationally had a price of at least $1 million; the share of house and unit sales at this price point was slightly lower than the previous year when 16.1% of houses and 9.1% of unit sales were at this price point.
The share of $1 million plus sales is also down from the peak of 16.8% for houses in February 2018 and 9.4% for units in October 2017; 24.5% of houses and 10.7% of units were sold for at least $1 million over the 2017-18 financial year.
House sales at this price point were slightly higher than the 24.3% a year ago but down from the recent peak of 25.5% in February 2018.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%202.JPG" alt="">
 
The 10.7% of unit sales for at least $1 million was down from 11.1% a year ago as well as being lower than the 11.5% peak in October 2017.
Across the combined regional markets, 4.7% of all houses sold over the 2017-18 financial year transacted for at least $1 million.
A year earlier, 4.3% of all sales were at that price point however, the share of house sales at or above $1 million has fallen slightly from 4.8% in March 2018.
Four per cent of all units sold over the past year were at least $1 million which was a recordhigh share and up from 3.7% the previous year.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%203.JPG" alt="">
At its peak in March 2018, 50.4% of houses sold over the past year in Sydney transacted for at least $1 million with the figure since falling to 48.8% in June 2018.
The 48.8% share in June 2018 was slightly higher than the 48.6% a year earlier but clearly now trending lower.
Over the 12 months to June 2018, 21.2% of all unit sales were at least $1 million which was both down from a year ago (21.8%) and lower than the October 2017 peak (22.5%).
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%20SYdney.JPG" alt="">
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 29.6% of houses and 8.% of units sold in Melbourne sold for at least $1 million.
The share of house sales at this price point was higher than the previous financial year (27.6%) while for units it was slightly lower (8.1%).
The share of sales of at least $1 million in Melbourne peaked in March 2018 for houses at 30.6% and peaked in January 2018 at 8.6% for units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%205.JPG" alt="">
A historic high of 9.2% of houses and 3.3% of units in Brisbane were sold for at least $1 million over the 12 months to June 2018.
The share of sales of at least $1 million has risen quite considerably over the year from 8.1% for houses and 2.8% for units a year ago.
 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%206.JPG" alt="">
Over the 12 months to June 2017, 5.3% of Adelaide houses and 1.8% of units had been sold for at least $1 million.
12 months later, the share of sales within this price point had increased to new record-highs of 5.9% for houses and 2.0% for units.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%207.JPG" alt="">
Despite ongoing declines in values over recent years the share of sales of properties for at least $1 million in Perth has increased over the year.
In June 2017, 10.9% of houses and 3.8% of units sold for at least $1 million compared to 11.1% and 3.7% respectively in June 2018.
The share of houses sold for at least $1 million peaked in April 2018 at 11.3% while the share of unit sales over $1 million peaked at 5.6% in April 2008.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%208.JPG" alt="">
With Hobart dwelling values having surged over the past year there has been a substantial increase in the share of house sales of at least $1 million.
Over the 12 months to June 2018, 3.7% of all houses sold and 1.2% of all units sold transacted for $1 million or more.
The share of house sales of $1 million or more was a record high and up from 2.6% of all sales a year earlier.
The share of $1 million unit sales increased from 1.0% a year earlier but has eased back from a peak of 1.3% in January 2018.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%209.JPG" alt="">
As Darwin dwelling values have fallen over recent years so too has the share of sales of properties for at least $1 million.
At the peak in February 2015, 5.9% of all house sales were at least $1 million while for units, the peak of 3.1% of all sales occurred in August 2015.
Over the past 12 months, 3.8% of all house sales were at least $1 million which was steady over the year while 0.9% of all unit sales were seven figures over the past year compared to 1.4% a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%2010.JPG" alt="">
Over the 2017-18 financial year, 14.1% of all house sales and 2.5% of all unit sales in Canberra were at least $1 million.
The 14.1% of house sales for at least $1 million was an historic high while the share of seven figure sales of units peaked in March 2016 at 3.1%.
The share of $1 million house and unit sales both increased over the year from 12.0% and 1.9% respectively.
In closing, with dwelling values declining and much more rapid declines across the most expensive housing stock it is reasonable to expect the share of $1 million sales to trend lower over the coming year.
This will largely be driven by weakening in Sydney and Melbourne. Smaller capital cities are also likely to continue to see the share of $1 million sales climb further too.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/16/CL%20PP%2011.JPG" alt="">
Cameron Kusher is a CoreLogic research analyst 
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Expensive home sales volume in decline, with Hobart going against the capital city trend: Cameron Kusher

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A Federation style home in Wahrooga has been sold for $3.91 million, $410,000 over the reserve price. 
It was sold by David Walker and Belinda Edwards of Ray White Upper North Shore. 
Nestled on a 1,416sqm block, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-wahroonga-133769486" target="_blank">12 Kintore Street</a> home comes with a substantial second level bedroom wing, granny flat and designer pool.
It comprises five bedrooms, formal lounge, open plan casual living, dining and TV area, and marble topped kitchen. 
<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/2020/7/5/wahroonga%203.jpg" alt="">
The home also features steel framed arched windows, over-height ceilings, double garage and Federation facade. 
It is situated within distance to bus, rail, village and Wahroonga public school. 
<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/2020/7/5/wahroonga%202.jpg" alt="">
“The local family who purchased the property saw it as a blank canvas and an opportunity to deliver their dream home on one of Wahroonga’s best streets, ", Walker said. 
"This property had 18 registered bidders and the five active parties drove the price up and up, way past reserve." 
The property last sold in 2014 for $2.04 million. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Wahroonga trophy home sold for $3.91 million

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An architect designed home in Hawthorne, Queensland has been sold for $3.35 million. 
The 7 bedroom, 3 bathroom house is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-hawthorne-133262950" target="_blank">175 Virginia Avenue</a>. 
The home was designed by Harry Poulos Architects.
Set on a 1,176 sqm waterfront allotment, it features open plan kitchen and dining, lounge and family areas, separate upper level living space, and covered patio.
Additional highlights include swimming pool, lush landscaped gardens, outdoor BBQ and double garage with internal access. 
The house is located within 5km to the CBD, 17 minutes to the airport and has easy access to top schools. 
Tony O'Doherty of Belle Property Bulimba sold the property. 
It last sold for $3.65 million in 2009. 
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Waterfront Hawthorne trophy home sold for $3.35 million 

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An architecturally custom built house in Breakfast Point, NSW has been sold for $3.175 million. 
The five bedroom, four bathroom home is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-breakfast+point-132865774" target="_blank">5 Emily Street</a>. 
Nestled on a 489sqm block, the double brick house comes with three oversized living areas, upper level rumpus, games room, and designer kitchen. 
Other features include double height entry foyer, timber doors, high ceilings and double garage plus storage. 
It comes with country club membership with access to tennis courts, pool and gym.
Its location is close to local shops, cafes, buses and foreshore walks. 
Norman So and Michael Murphy of Belle Property Strathfied sold the property. 
The home was last sold in 2009 for $680,800. 
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Breakfast Point custom built trophy home sold for $3.175 million

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Spring selling season brought a belated revival in prestige sales across Sydney, in a year when few of the big sales were on the harbour.
With just three weeks to go, 2019 will have recorded the cheapest tally of Sydney trophy home sales of the past seven years. My tally is $385 million, with a $15 million sale sufficient to qualify for the top 20.
Despite the 2018 downturn, last year there were 20 sales at $20 million or more, grossing $675 million, up from $550 million in 2017.
This year’s top five sales in 2019 all came in spring.
The top trophy home sale was $40 million in Point Piper when Westpac board member Steve Harker sold his harbourfront to entrepreneur and start-up investor Gabriel Jakob, co-owner of the Early Learning School company.
The low-key Harker sold on extended settlement terms, with the actual price only to emerge some time next year. Harker had owned the home since 1993 when he paid $2.01 million. The $40 million was nowhere near 2018’s top sale, the $100 million Fairwater on the Double Bay beachfront.
The low level of activity mimicked the overall vendor hesitancy across the entire market, with also an absence of international buyers in the market. Rose Bay was the surprise hot spot with four sales, followed by traditional streets of gold on the Point Piper peninsula­. Vaucluse and Darling Point, Mosman and Manly also had two sales each. There were eight true waterfronts on the list, along with a few waterfront reserve homes and those with harbour views.
The most intriguing sale was Bomera, the Italianate non-waterfront clifftop mansion at Potts Point that sold for $34 million. Its harbour views are often blocked by navy vessels berthed at Garden Island.
Leanne Catelan, daughter of late property data pioneer Ray Catelan, had bought it for $12.5 million in 2013 after it was renovated by property developer­ Jorge Fernandez, who had been guided in its restoration­ by former PM Paul Keating. I previously tipped Bomera as the perfect bolthole for steel baron Sanjeev Gupta — and, sure enough, he’s just downsized to Bomera from his Barford, Bellevue Hill $30,000-a-week rental.
Bomera (pictured top) was technically bought by a trust created under the local company directorship­ of society stockbroker Les Owen.
The second highest sale was when plastic surgeon Michael Miroshnik sold his Vaucluse non-waterfront home, designed by Kaintoch Design Studio, for $38 million to Sunny Ngai, whose family makes Quilton toilet paper.
On the pricey northern peninsula, Palm Haven, the Phillip Cox-designed beachfront home at Palm Beach sold to the property developing Roche family for $20.5 million. The trophy home (pictured below), bought as a weekender, ranks as the third-most expensive sale all time in Palm Beach.
<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/2019/12/20/palm%202.jpg" alt="">
Amid the big hits, there’s also been plenty of misses. It was reported in August­ there had been a $60 million offer from a Hong Kong buyer for Ganeden, but the sale of the Vaucluse home of lawyer John Landerer hasn’t eventuated.
There were upsets too. Entrepreneur­ Alex Ma thought he secured $30 million for his Vaucluse home in March, but it appears not to be proceeding to settlement.
And there’s plenty of unsold stock that appears stuck on the market with pricing issues­.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Spring sees jump in trophy home sales in 2019's top 20

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The Georgian-designed former Darlinghurst home of interior designer Darryl Gordon has been sold again for $1,876,000.
Gordon sold the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-darlinghurst-129209802" target="_blank">Francis Street cottage</a> for $1.66 million in 2014 when it had been listed with $1.3 million plus hopes.
He doubled his money during his long ownership, having paid $730,000 in 2001.
There has been very little, if any, renovation to the home.
Bradfield Cleary agent Georgia Cleary, who sold the home on behalf of Gordon in 2014, resold the home which was scheduled for auction last night.
It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open lounge and dining area, each with a fireplace, and an alfresco courtyard.
<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/2018/9/28/dc637bfcb6fb418ca0312d68dd42884c.jpg" alt="">
Shortly before selling the Paddington home, he paid $1.5 million for the five hectare estate Terragong at Jamberoo.
The property was built in 1858 for John Marks, the politician and Mayor of Kiama.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Darlinghurst home designed by Darryl Gordon's sells again

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The $65.2 million sale of Phoenix Acres at Vaucluse by Singaporean businessman CK Ow to nearby resident Dr Jerry Schwartz and his wife Debbie topped Sydney’s prestige sales during the past financial year.
The price reflected 10 per cent ­annual growth for the 3700sqm ­estate that ranks as Australia’s third priciest all time sale. The six-bedroom, six-bathroom home sold 22 years prior for $7,001,000 through the same selling agent Craig Pontey.
Schwartz is yet to sell his redundant $32 ­million Vaucluse waterfront estate Loch Maree.
The financial year’s next priciest sale was around $43 million-plus through agent Brad Pillinger when the now Bermuda-based retailing billionaire Brett Blundy sold in Rose Bay to Dover Heights couple Sylvia and Lawrence Myers, who took ­vendor finance. It was one of the few sales that have occurred in the six months following the Phoenix Acres sale.
The $39 million Deauville, Point Piper, sale sat in third place when car importer Neville Crichton secured the beachfront home subject to its construction completion. Crichton’s redundant home on Wolseley Rd was offloaded at $36 million to a near-neighbour, Andrew Potter.
The Vaucluse-based, Australian-Chinese billionaire Dr Chau Chak Wing’s family snapped up the Darling Point trophy home of freight and transport boss Terry Tzaneros for $31.8 million through agent ­Alison Coopes.
The sixth dearest sale for the year was $30,263,400 in Darling Point when John Roth and wife Jillian Segal bought out their neighbours last July.
The seventh dearest was back in Rose Bay with the off-market $30 million Bayview Hill Rd sale of the home of the late Sonja Lyneham to Samira Jeihooni, wife of property developer Arash Tavakoli.
The eighth place $29 million sale saw The Boatshed, on Wunulla Rd, Point Piper, sold after three years on the market by the O’Neil family, and after six decades ownership, to the Point Piper-based former car dealer Paul Scharrer and his wife Pam.
The highest north shore sale ­remains a mystery after the former Foxtel chief executive Richard Freudenstein and his wife Jane sold their Mosman mansion reportedly for a record $23 million.
Sydney’s top sale remains $71 million for Elaine at Double Bay when Pyrmont tech billionaire Scott Farquhar bought the beachfront from publisher John B Fairfax early last year through Ken Jacobs.
Sydney now has a slowing trophy home market in which local buyers have dominated the last top eight purchases.
Despite the hoopla of attracting interest from Beijing, New York, even India, all the known deals were struck with local buyers from next door to just 7km away.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
 
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Slowdown hits prestige sales in wake of Phoenix Acres, Vaucluse sale last December 

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A Hope Island waterfront house sold for $5.05 million.
Rita Na at Hope Island Resort Reality sold the home that last traded for $900,000 in 2009.
Privately positioned, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-hope+island-127615510" target="_blank">Virginia Drive home</a> features large scale entertaining area with outdoor built in BBQ kitchen overlooking swimming pool and 14 metre pontoon.
It has four bedrooms, a kitchen with European appliances and fully equipped media room.
According to CoreLogic, the suburb's median house price sits on $640,000.
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Waterfront Hope Island trophy home sold for over $5 million

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Richmond was the most active suburb for weekend auctions.
A <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-richmond-126763162" target="_blank">double-fronted Victorian cottage</a> on Queen Street, Richmond (pictured above) fetched $2.08 million, the dearest result.
It had $1.9 million to $2.09 million price hopes.
The cul de sac home featured polished floors.
There was a contemporary kitchen with Corian surfaces and NEFF appliances.
It came with hydronic heating, 1 kilowatt solar system, solar hot water and a 4800 litre rain water tank.
It last sold at $981,000 in 2006.
Richmond's next priciest result was the 1855 home, Dennington, at 139 Hoddle Street which fetched $1,975,000 at mid-week private auction.
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