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<p>When it comes to staging a development or build, one of the biggest decisions builders and developers face is whether to <a href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/display-homes" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/display-homes">rent</a> or <a href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/display-homes" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/display-homes">buy</a> furniture. While there are pros and cons to both options, there are several reasons why renting furniture can be a smart choice.</p><h2>Cost Savings</h2><p><br>One of the main reasons builders and developers choose to rent furniture is cost savings. Buying furniture can be expensive and builders and developers may not want to invest a lot of money in furniture that they may only need for a short period of time. Renting furniture can be a more cost-effective solution, as they only need to pay for the rental period and return the furniture once the project is complete.</p><div id="1JS4UalMiDrj5479QbYGnC"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/RFUzxu5aJJ4dNn0PX46aS/02f1fbedf8e4c9b54a36a736d1910a84/Styled_Furnished_by_Valiant_33_Consett_St_Concord_West_High_Living_4__1_.jpg" alt="Valiant Interiors Consett" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/RFUzxu5aJJ4dNn0PX46aS/02f1fbedf8e4c9b54a36a736d1910a84/Styled_Furnished_by_Valiant_33_Consett_St_Concord_West_High_Living_4__1_.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><h2>Flexibility</h2><p><br>Another advantage of renting furniture is flexibility. Builders and developers may need to stage a property for sale or rental and their furniture needs may vary depending on the property and its target market. Renting furniture allows for greater flexibility in choosing and changing furniture to meet these needs. This can be particularly useful when staging a property for different buyers, as different furniture styles and arrangements may be necessary.</p><div id="4jrbBm25aEt3A6iiF7HCv8"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5wbiFreGicdimtHmz44o6Q/3795575795b206a1531df09933de8f39/Styled_and_furnished_by_Valiant_Onxy-Carmichael-Build-62.jpg" alt="Valiant Interiors Onxy" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5wbiFreGicdimtHmz44o6Q/3795575795b206a1531df09933de8f39/Styled_and_furnished_by_Valiant_Onxy-Carmichael-Build-62.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><h2>Expertise</h2><p><br>Furniture rental companies have expertise in designing and furnishing spaces. Builders and developers can take advantage of this expertise to create spaces that are attractive, functional and appealing to their target market. Many furniture rental companies, such as <a href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/">Valiant Interiors</a>, offer design services and <a href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/join-trade-benefits-program" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/join-trade-benefits-program">trade benefits</a> can help builders and developers choose the right furniture for their project.</p><div id="7H48OamSX1Qem8WVFxrFpZ"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/44Fp6bAIxGdi2dG8d8I4ry/b090e72305cc84054a242a9399e80861/Styled_Furnished_by_Valiant_Menangle_Road_Menangle_2568_High_kitchen_Dining-81.jpg" alt="Valiant Interiors Menangle" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/44Fp6bAIxGdi2dG8d8I4ry/b090e72305cc84054a242a9399e80861/Styled_Furnished_by_Valiant_Menangle_Road_Menangle_2568_High_kitchen_Dining-81.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><h2>Convenience</h2><p><br>Renting furniture is a convenient solution for builders and developers who may not have the time or resources to source and purchase furniture themselves. Furniture rental companies can deliver and install furniture, saving builders and developers time and effort. This can be particularly useful for large-scale projects or for those who are managing multiple projects at once.</p><div id="5HpiFvqQa2BeI5wqG7T2oK"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/73xzNL8UXlNjdlgI3Bt1WV/66eafe90cfcfab34caa76a02344882e2/Styled_and_furnished_by_Valiant_Onyx_by_Carmichael-Build-22.jpg" alt="Valiant Interiors Onyx Carmichael" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/73xzNL8UXlNjdlgI3Bt1WV/66eafe90cfcfab34caa76a02344882e2/Styled_and_furnished_by_Valiant_Onyx_by_Carmichael-Build-22.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><h2>Sustainability</h2><p><br>Renting furniture can also be a more sustainable solution than buying new furniture for each project. Many furniture rental companies have <a href="https://valiant.com.au/sustainability" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/sustainability">sustainability initiatives</a> and can offer environmentally friendly options. By renting furniture, builders and developers can reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices in their industry.</p><p>Renting furniture can be a smart choice for builders and developers looking for cost-effective, flexible, and convenient solutions for staging their properties. With the expertise of furniture rental companies such as <a href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/our-services" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/our-services">Valiant Interiors</a>, you can create spaces that are functional, attractive and appealing to your target market. Additionally, by renting furniture, builders and developers can reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices in their industry.&nbsp;</p><p>If you’re a builder or developer, consider renting furniture for your next project and see the benefits for yourself. Learn more about <a href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/join-trade-benefits-program" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/interiors/join-trade-benefits-program">Valiant Interiors Trade Benefits Program here</a><br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://valiant.com.au/" data-mce-href="https://valiant.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Valiant Interiors</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong></p>

When it comes to staging a development or build, one of the biggest decisions builders and developers face is whether to rent or buy furniture. While there are pros and cons to both options, there are several reasons why renting furniture can be a smart choice.

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<p>Industry-leading project marketing and advisory group Position Property has been inducted into the prestigious Project Marketing Agency of the Year Hall of Fame at the Australasian Real Estate Results Awards after achieving more than 750 sales during 2022.</p><p>Position Property had been recognised with the Project Marketing award for four consecutive years prior to the latest honour this week.</p><p>Representing the best of the best among independent real estate agencies and agents across Australia and New Zealand, Position Property’s entry into the Hall of Fame reflects the group’s unrivalled knowledge of Queensland’s booming property development sector.</p><p>Position Property has serviced south-east Queensland for more than 23 years, providing a comprehensive range of property services for residential property developers – from site assessment and selection through to sales strategy, settlement and beyond.</p><p>It has been responsible for the sell-out success of many of Brisbane’s most renowned residential developments, and more recently have worked closely with a range of developers to achieve the significant project construction milestone including The Lanes, West End with Pradella Developments and Brickworks Park, Alderley with CDL Australia.</p><div id="5ERNo5iEcIVUcZllINnm0V"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6bXZ9BKnwnZ5q6Sae0N8Lu/dca6bc7792ee8a204f73d12a63e9f688/1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6bXZ9BKnwnZ5q6Sae0N8Lu/dca6bc7792ee8a204f73d12a63e9f688/1.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The Lanes, West End.<br><br></span></div></div><p>Position Property director Richard Lawrence said the agency’s Hall of Fame acknowledgment reflected its “unmatched knowledge of the ever-changing market for developers operating in south-east Queensland”.</p><p>“It’s incredible to have received such a prestigious award and we are thankful to the RER Network for its continued support and recognition,” Lawrence said.</p><p>“This achievement is a true reflection of the team's dedication and commitment to the individual needs of our clients and we’re proud of the amazing results we have achieved to date.</p><p>“As south-east Queensland ushers in this exciting new era in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic Games, the opportunities for developers are endless. We look forward to bringing our unique consultative offering to emerging developers whose innovative plans will leave a legacy for our growing region.”</p><p>Real Estate Results Network chief executive Michael Sheargold said the newly created Hall of Fame award could not have gone to a more deserving, hard-working team.</p><div id="34p1nFEYp94mYeQfGaUHjq"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3zI0wNs3HeNjtTovVv8fu6/0bc3e79a3e34a0f6a14635ed03ef04d2/2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3zI0wNs3HeNjtTovVv8fu6/0bc3e79a3e34a0f6a14635ed03ef04d2/2.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The Brickworks Park, Alderley.<br><br></span></div></div><p>“I’ve seen Position Property go from strength to strength in how they are adding extraordinary value to developers in the Brisbane market,” Sheargold said.</p><p>"As a full-service agency their impressive marketing strategies and advanced selling systems also help connect people with the right property.”</p><p>Position Property offers a suite of consulting services for residential property developers in southeast Queensland to ensure the financial feasibility, market acceptance and product fit of new projects within Brisbane’s CBD and surrounds.</p><p>With sales to date totalling a market value of more than $5.2 billion, Position Property is south-east Queensland’s leading independent project marketing and residential development consultancy.&nbsp; <br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://www.positionproperty.com.au/project-marketing/project-marketing" data-mce-href="https://www.positionproperty.com.au/project-marketing/project-marketing">Position Property</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.</strong></p>

Industry-leading project marketing and advisory group Position Property has been inducted into the Project Marketing Agency of the Year Hall of Fame after achieving more than 750 sales during 2022…

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<p id="section-3">When it comes to selling off-the-plan developments, Meriton knows how to get it right. And one of their secret weapons? DisplaySweet. The property technology innovator has been working with Meriton for more than five years, providing the exceptional technology within their showrooms, which has allowed buyers to gain the best possible insight into how their future apartment will look.</p><p>James Sialepis, Company Director at Meriton, said, “Without DisplaySweet, our apartments simply wouldn't sell as quickly as they do. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with DisplaySweet providing the exceptional technology within our showrooms for over five years, across NSW and Queensland.”</p><p><a href="#section-2" data-mce-href="#section-2">(<strong>&gt;&gt; SEE showroom examples below</strong>)</a></p><p>Meriton uses the DisplaySweet platform to empower sales agents to control the presentation and showcase all elements of a project intuitively, from movies to 3D plans and associated CGIs with real-time data and hold presentations in person or remotely.</p><p>Gone are the days of stagnant printed collateral. DisplaySweet transforms TVs into digital canvases to present the right information at the right time and touch screens that provide buyers a more engaging and personalised experience.</p><p>“The ultimate sales tool for our projects is property technology like the touch screens we utilise, integrated with the DisplaySweet app, so that our sales agents can engage with buyers in real-time and view our buildings interactively in person,” Sialepis said.</p><p>But it doesn’t stop there. By connecting the app to a physical model’s lighting system, the Meriton sales experience is even more informative and effective.</p><h2>Ultimate sales tool</h2><p><br>Meriton’s partnership with DisplaySweet has been a game-changer for their sales process and it’s not hard to see why. The DisplaySweet platform is the ultimate sales tool for off-the-plan developments and the clear leader in the market, used by the best developers across Australia, UK and the US with a staggering 4 out of the 5 highest off-the-plan sales prices in Australia last year all using the platform to achieve their results.</p><p>A key reason for the DisplaySweet platform being the preferred choice by the leading developers is the focus on the intricate details that only those performing at their peak in the industry appreciate. “Part of what keeps us coming back is their great attention to detail,” Sialepis said.</p><p>Every developer, sales process and agent is different; flexibility and detail to those unique details are key to the platform’s effectiveness.</p><p id="section-2">Check out some of the recent collaborations between DisplaySweet and Meriton below.</p><div id="6rHeDZvisj2uQlWWn9Odla"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1DG61i8fst85NfgkuST971/8dd482b2c0257742fd92e9b5fa8d06ab/Meriton_Viciniti_DisplaySweet_06.jpg" alt="Viciniti, Meriton" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1DG61i8fst85NfgkuST971/8dd482b2c0257742fd92e9b5fa8d06ab/Meriton_Viciniti_DisplaySweet_06.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Viciniti, Meriton.<br><br></span></div></div><div id="6bK1SqOeRyUrOJMgjwWLgJ"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7LyTMQ7zaRlDuLzl4rXtrq/e63c20caf77dfbe88ded5fc24d4e0c07/Meriton_Trilogy_DisplaySweet_04.jpg" alt="Trilogy, Meriton" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7LyTMQ7zaRlDuLzl4rXtrq/e63c20caf77dfbe88ded5fc24d4e0c07/Meriton_Trilogy_DisplaySweet_04.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;"><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Trilogy, Meriton.<br><br></span></span><div id="5CmCUb1CkKYsOfDxLTKT9k"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2cQrP2wwvGECv04nI5oRlu/81295cbfc9a66c80107a366c2492589a/Meriton_180_George_DisplaySweet_01.jpg" alt="180 George, Meriton" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2cQrP2wwvGECv04nI5oRlu/81295cbfc9a66c80107a366c2492589a/Meriton_180_George_DisplaySweet_01.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;"><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ 180 George, Meriton.<br><br></span></span><div id="2YShQuCIshKqWLoHx8ie35"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/vKQZ4cVkYa3Lp45wnr0LH/9c07603f1cf43fbd82e80f01fc071b20/Meriton_Eminence_DisplaySweet_01.jpg" alt="Eminence, Meriton" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/vKQZ4cVkYa3Lp45wnr0LH/9c07603f1cf43fbd82e80f01fc071b20/Meriton_Eminence_DisplaySweet_01.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;"><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Eminence, Meriton.<br><br></span></span><div id="681hE52Id6hBDuGNDGvRqM"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5LuPbN7VP1oCQyu49iMLIo/7668fc50782331a19f223f55c07b53ff/Meriton_The_Atrium_DisplaySweet01.jpg" alt="The Atrium, Meriton." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5LuPbN7VP1oCQyu49iMLIo/7668fc50782331a19f223f55c07b53ff/Meriton_The_Atrium_DisplaySweet01.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;"><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The Atrium, Meriton.<br><br></span></span><div id="4A7WnEWETI2GTUX4hvbEbP"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7renwTkte3P1VldqK0bNgB/89c369266f57f6067a74cc7dac71071c/Meriton_Allegra_DisplaySweet02.jpg" alt="Allegra, Meriton." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7renwTkte3P1VldqK0bNgB/89c369266f57f6067a74cc7dac71071c/Meriton_Allegra_DisplaySweet02.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;"><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Allegra, Meriton.<br><br></span></span><div id="3kpolY984AiRHtz3mylaLK"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7aUPieyyVCN9LOHvtI4lLk/4bda942909a4238bcb178b772e9d12a7/Meriton_PagewoodCentro_DisplaySweet03.jpg" alt="Pagewood Centro, Meriton." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7aUPieyyVCN9LOHvtI4lLk/4bda942909a4238bcb178b772e9d12a7/Meriton_PagewoodCentro_DisplaySweet03.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Pagewood Centro, Meriton.<br><br></span></div><p>The image at the top of the page is Meriton’s Aston.<br><a href="#section-3" data-mce-href="#section-3">(&gt;&gt; Jump back up)</a></p><p>To discover more about the DisplaySweet platform, visit their website at <a href="https://www.displaysweet.com/" data-mce-href="https://www.displaysweet.com/">https://www.displaysweet.com/</a><br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a data-mce-href="https://www.displaysweet.com/" href="https://www.displaysweet.com/" target="_blank">DisplaySweet</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p><a href="https://www.displaysweet.com/" data-mce-href="https://www.displaysweet.com/"></a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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<p>With migration increasing, a lack of supply of established homes and rental vacancies going down while rents go up, off-the-plan real estate remains an attractive proposition for owner-occupiers and investors alike.</p><p>While the fundamentals are strong, there is still much uncertainty in the market and developers and project marketers must take steps to increase revenue and cut costs for the year ahead while ensuring they are ready to capitalize when market confidence returns.</p><p>This phase of the market cycle is not the time to shut up shop. Developers who focus on their systems and processes will be able to reduce costs and maximise revenue whilst preparing for confidence to come back.</p><p>Technology—coupled with smart tactics that support it—will be what sets apart successful developers from their counterparts, and the good news is this needn't be expensive or difficult to implement.&nbsp;</p><p>Blair Property Group director <a data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-blair/" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-blair/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Darren Blair</a> says, “There will be a J-like curve when it comes to technology adoption and we will see how elements such as face-to-face interactions with (potential) purchasers can be changed or enhanced using technology as part of the sales and marketing of new residential projects”.</p><p>So, what are some of the tools and tactics that property developers and sales agents can adopt today for a positive outlook tomorrow? Let’s start at the top of the funnel.</p><h2>Awareness<br></h2><p><br>Unfortunately, the phrase ‘Build it and they will come’ no longer applies to the market, if you’re in the process of launching a project, you will need to spread the word far and wide.&nbsp;</p><h3>Marketing and communication automation</h3><p>This may be a given for larger companies, however, smaller developers are often doing all the leg work of marketing and communications themselves.&nbsp;</p><p>Many platforms are low cost and simple to use—even for a novice. Additionally, unlike traditional methods, they provide in-depth data about who is looking at your content and what they are engaging with, which boosts your customer profiles.</p><p><strong>Tools:</strong> Canva, Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor, Facebook Ads<br><strong>Benefit:</strong> Expanded buyer reach, increased efficiency, data and insights<br><strong>Cost:</strong> Free or ;low cost.</p><h3>Artificial Intelligence&nbsp;</h3><p>Ignore the commotion, the simplest way to take advantage of AI for real estate is simply marketing copy generation. AI copy generators can take hours off the working week by backfilling marketing efforts.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Tools:</strong> Anyword, ChatGPT<br><strong>Benefits:</strong> Increased efficiency, maximise volume of content<br><strong>Cost:</strong> Free<br></p><h2>Interest, education and evaluation</h2><p><br>Polka Dot Property director <a data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-shackleton-b2295742/" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-shackleton-b2295742/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rebecca Shackleton</a> says, “There is an expectation that detailed information about a new community, building or property will be readily available and that potential buyers will conduct a high level of research, on and offline, before engaging with the developer.</p><p>“Developers need to embrace new technology and tactics to ensure that information is accessible to the buyer, in order for them to make a purchase decision,” the host of The Masterplan: a Property Podcast says.<br></p><h3>Virtual display suite technology and interactive mapping</h3><p>The ability to sell in a buyers’ market will require standing out from your neighbours. Visual mediums target the emotional side of buying, which is critical in a market where buyers may be cautious when it comes to spending.</p><p><strong>Tools:</strong> Spiire Visual Media, DisplaySweet, Dragon VR<br><strong>Benefits:</strong> Wow factor, more dynamic and easily updated than static displays and physical models, accessible&nbsp;</p><h3>Pricing Transparency&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3><p>Pricing transparency is a contentious tactic, but is fundamental in any off-the-plan sales strategy in 2023 and beyond, here’s three reasons why:</p><ul><li><p>Online behaviour: Buyers research, compare, and select desired properties online, if pricing isn’t available they will continue to shop around and may not bother enquiring<br></p></li><li><p>&nbsp;E-commerce: Online shopping is embedded in everyday life. Buyers expect instantaneous purchase options for products big and small—including property<br></p></li><li><p>Transparency matters: Buyers don’t want to be sold to. They want the information to make up their own mind. Pressure sales techniques don’t work anymore.<br></p></li></ul><h2>Closing the Sale</h2><p><br>Closing the sale should be top of mind for all sellers in any market, however, in today’s market there are two obvious areas of necessity: creating a sense of urgency and reducing costs, here’s how:<br></p><h3>Release automation&nbsp;</h3><p>If you’re releasing property in 2023, look no further than software offering Release.Me. The platform automates and digitises the entire release process, flattening the peak in workload and reducing the time and cost usually associated with a release.&nbsp;</p><p>Buyer applications, preferences, property allocations, communication, contract details, payment of holding deposits and contract bookings are all handled by the software-as-a-service platform—where sellers can go from account creation to live release in as little as 10 minutes.</p><p>Rodden Property Group sales director James Rodden says of his experience using Release.Me for <a data-mce-href="https://www.silverdaleestate.com.au/" href="https://www.silverdaleestate.com.au/" target="_blank">Silverdale Estate</a> at Romsey, “Our workload was considerably reduced during the release and we had the pleasant surprise of being notified of additional buyer purchases after the release, via Buy Now.</p><p>“It’s something I’d recommend other small and medium developers try out and a tool we will continue to use across our projects.”</p><div id="5SxzrttGvVHQuJjyOM5hhi"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1W60gbL1sjwBhjLKOZX4EE/2748ad54cd7c02ca93e05bd25a81c2f1/Release_Me_Mid_Feb_6.jpg" alt="The Release.Me property sales platform dashboard" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1W60gbL1sjwBhjLKOZX4EE/2748ad54cd7c02ca93e05bd25a81c2f1/Release_Me_Mid_Feb_6.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The user-friendly Release.Me platform interface. <br><br></span></div></div><h3>E-commerce&nbsp;</h3><p>Release.Me national manager Amber Keogh says, “In a market where creating a sense of urgency is key, the fact that a property can be sold in a click of a button is extremely valuable for sales agents looking to spur on customers who may be dragging their feet.”</p><p>Buy Now, by Release.Me, serves as a simple e-commerce add-on to any developer or agent’s website, enabling passive sales by allowing purchasers to secure an available property at any time, from anywhere, while the sales consultant is notified via text and email.</p><p>YourLand Developments head of sales Kristian Sartori says, “The Buy Now function is a very convenient way to secure a block of land anytime, anywhere. We have seen interstate buyers searching for land in Melbourne able to purchase the land they want online without delay rather than wait for a call back.”</p><p><strong>Tools:</strong> <a href="https://release.me/release/" data-mce-href="https://release.me/release/">Release.Me – Release</a>, <a href="https://release.me/buy-now/" data-mce-href="https://release.me/buy-now/">Release.Me – Buy Now</a><br><strong>Benefits:</strong> Increased revenue, reduced expenses, passive sales, efficiency, improved customer experience<br><strong>Cost:</strong> $100 a property (<a href="https://release.me/" data-mce-href="https://release.me/">Free Trial</a>)<br></p><h2>Post-sale&nbsp;</h2><p><br>Arguably, post-sale is where the greatest risk and reward lies, however, many may believe it requires the least investment. Below are two areas worth consideration that will not only reduce risk but will define future sales success.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><h3>eContracts&nbsp;</h3><p>Using secure systems for sale, such as eContracts and settlement platforms helps to ensure that all sales are legitimate and that buyers have greater protection from cybercrime and other risks, while also creating efficiencies and reducing exposure for sellers.</p><p><strong>Tools:</strong> Docusign, SettleTech<br><strong>Benefits:</strong> Efficient, reduced risk, improved experience, minimised exposure&nbsp;</p><h3>Data and analytics&nbsp;</h3><p>Data and analytics is an often overlooked area by smaller developers, but systems needn’t be complex to provide usable data. In fact, all tools listed above provide data that paints a picture for the sales and development pipeline.</p><p>In the case of Release.Me, the platform provides in-depth buyer preference data that Sellers can use to their advantage by adjusting their property and pricing mix to better meet market demand and support sales agents.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p><br>Simply put, what reduces expenses, improves sales, expands buyer reach, and creates urgency should be priority considerations for any sales strategy—regardless of the market conditions.&nbsp;</p><p>To see how it works in action, Release.Me provides on-demand live demonstrations and offer a free trial period for new users: Find out more and book your <a href="https://release.me/book-a-demo/" data-mce-href="https://release.me/book-a-demo/">spot here.</a><br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://release.me/" data-mce-href="https://release.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Release.Me</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers. </strong></p>

Technology coupled with smart tactics, will be what sets apart successful off-the-plan property developers from their counterparts in the current market cycle…

ILVE Hero Feb 7.jpg

<p>It’s not often you see a cooker that makes you feel you’ve stepped into the future. The all-new Panoramagic collection from ILVE does exactly that. No other cooker looks like it, or cooks like it.</p><p>Characterised at first glance by the tilted control panel with large LED backlit knobs fitted with integrated ignition and a stylish TFT touch screen, the Panoramagic is every bit part of the next generation of kitchen appliances.</p><p>Nano-Tech-coated burners, soft close doors, warming drawer and digital-cooking probe are just some of the features you will find in ILVE’s newest cooker range.</p><div id="2T6cC6357bkXy15vrFhUOe"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1JKfKXIBrbnNOdPtk6JTlJ/ce478353b0310b85315b4db9b888afb7/ILVE_Panoramagic_cooker__1_.jpg" alt="The ILVE Panoramagic cooker." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1JKfKXIBrbnNOdPtk6JTlJ/ce478353b0310b85315b4db9b888afb7/ILVE_Panoramagic_cooker__1_.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><p>With a sleek and contemporary design met with its full range of functions and innovation, the Panoramagic is designed to suit any type of domestic kitchen.</p><p>The distinct style of Panoramagic includes 60cm, 76cm and 90cm built-in ovens, 90cm and 120cm canopy hoods, 90cm freestanding cookers in gas or induction surfaces and the jewel of the series—the PM12, 120cm freestanding cooker.</p><p>It was during the fantastic 1960s that ILVE launched its first Panoramagic: a freestanding model that revolutionised the “panorama” of the domestic kitchen.</p><p>The PM12 lives in this memory, recognised for its bravery in pushing boundaries and breaking barriers in appliance design.</p><p>All models, including the built-in cooktops feature the unmistakable aesthetic signature of the Panoramagic collection.</p><p>Characterised at first glance by the tilted control panel, with large knobs fitted with integrated ignition and LED lighting, their aesthetic and functional strong point is the front handle.</p><div id="6czELJtjKUhZ8vnt19bx8v"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1iapiNUECXKtvZ3Ov5ll7C/7b58ee26c665b3ec4ec85db19ad272e0/ILVE_Panoramagic_cooker__2_.jpg" alt="The ILVE Panoramagic cooker 2" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1iapiNUECXKtvZ3Ov5ll7C/7b58ee26c665b3ec4ec85db19ad272e0/ILVE_Panoramagic_cooker__2_.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><p>The design of the cast iron supports and shape of the red position marker on the knobs recall the hexagonal motif of the ILVE logo.&nbsp;</p><p>The dimensions of Panoramagic ovens are ideal for every space and need: 60cm, 90cm or 30 inch (76cm). Both elegant and rational in design, they feature professional technologies to guarantee perfect cooking results: from the Quick Start quick preheating, to the precise temperature control, to the steam discharge for more or less moist cooking.</p><p>The unique Panoramagic collection combines the technical features of professional kitchens with the Italian culture of design.&nbsp;</p><p>Officially launched at EuroCucina in 2022, this remarkable new ILVE range is now available in Australia.&nbsp;</p><p>Visit the ILVE&nbsp;website&nbsp;now for full details. <a href="https://www.ilve.com.au/c/panoramagic/#01" data-mce-href="https://www.ilve.com.au/c/panoramagic/#01">https://www.ilve.com.au/c/panoramagic/#01</a><br></p><div id="OLdSYPvbg2JOmSeeEc4du"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6uQlXUbTbiaTZmifDHKsdC/be6f5f8d9d0943fd412979f26922a919/ILVE_Panoramagic_cooker__3_.jpg" alt="The ILVE Panoramagic cooker." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6uQlXUbTbiaTZmifDHKsdC/be6f5f8d9d0943fd412979f26922a919/ILVE_Panoramagic_cooker__3_.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://www.ilve.com.au/c/panoramagic/#01" data-mce-href="https://www.ilve.com.au/c/panoramagic/#01" target="_blank">ILVE</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong></p>

ILVE’s distinctive futuristic design is matched by its exceptional cooking performance...

HVG Facades Hero Feb 7.jpg

<p>MondoClad was the product of choice for building contractor CJ Duncan when it replaced the combustible cladding at Pyrmont’s Wharf Apartments in Sydney.</p><p>CJ Duncan is a building contractor specialising in remedial and insurance facade solutions, fitouts and refurbishments. In April 2021 it was awarded the contract to replace the combustible cladding at Sydney Wharf Apartments, 56-56a Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, working with project manager RHM Consultants.</p><p>The building had been issued with a fire order by the City of Sydney Council, CJ Duncan’s head of pre-construction Josh Black said. “This is happening all over the place, so it’s not unusual,” he said.</p><p>“It sounds a bit scary but when combustible cladding was banned [in August 2018] the council started issuing fire orders on buildings that were known to have the newly banned combustible cladding.”</p><p>The entire six-storey building needed to be overhauled. “Literally every facade was affected,” Black said.</p><p>“There is an unusual rooftop arrangement with terraces built into the rooftops for the penthouse apartments. They were littered with it, and it was in the awnings, the balconies. You name it, it was extensive.”</p><p>All up, the project required about 4000sq m of new cladding. But its proximity to the waterfront meant that choosing the best option for the replacement was vital.</p><p>“You need a high-quality product because it is obviously quite a harsh environment, being so close to saltwater and sea spray,” Black said.</p><p>“HVG Facades’ MondoClad uses a superior alloy to its competitors. It’s a 5000 series aluminium alloy that is higher quality and, as a result, can withstand the elements.”</p><p>A bonus was the opportunity to colour match. “It was a unique colour on the building and HVG Facades was able to provide an identical match,” Black said. “Part of the fire order is that you can’t change anything, so having to match the colour is very important.”</p><p>If this hadn’t been possible, the contractor would have had to lodge a DA (development application), which would then lead to “a whole world of hurt”, Black said.</p><div id="7zj4hhzinS2nqf3jalhZ7g"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1d2zO2hHUNFwnjGdNlpd6T/371302a549be43f7ca1c2cd712caa78c/MondoClad_at_Sydney_Wharf_Apartments__1_.jpg" alt="Sydney Wharf Apartments with HVG Facades MondoClad in use." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1d2zO2hHUNFwnjGdNlpd6T/371302a549be43f7ca1c2cd712caa78c/MondoClad_at_Sydney_Wharf_Apartments__1_.jpg"></picture><h2><br>Project execution<br></h2></div><p><br>With MondoClad selected, the recladding was an incremental process. Hampered by bad weather and Covid lockdowns, the project took longer than expected, as it was not simply a case of stripping off all the original cladding and then starting from scratch.</p><p>“You have to take the combustible cladding off before getting the MondoClad on, but you can’t leave the building exposed for long periods of time, because you’ll get water ingress and damage,” Black said.</p><p>“So, we just strip whatever we believe we can replace within the time and keep our eye on the weather like a hawk.”</p><p>Black said he had seen “pretty abhorrent” practices in the past where cladding had been affixed with adhesive or, even, double-sided tape. “We’ve been to projects where we’ve seen panels just fall off the building,” he said.</p><p>Fortunately, standards have changed and now all the individual panels are mechanically fixed with screws.</p><p>To reduce wastage, the crew used a LiDAR (light detection and radar) survey, which gives a three-dimensional image of the building. “Then we looked at the existing panel sizes and used what’s called a ‘nesting program’ that speaks to the 3D CAD (computer-aided design) drawings that we create. It effectively uses artificial intelligence to optimally match the sheet sizes to the build panel sizes,” Black said.</p><p>In a similar vein, Black has nothing but praise for HVG Facades’ commitment to waste reduction via its recycling program, EnviroSmart, which not only removes and recycles aluminium composite panels, but is also partnered with Carbon Positive Australia to donate and plant trees on behalf of every qualified project using the program.</p><p>“The combustible cladding is made up of aluminium and a polyethylene core and it’s this plastic core that is the combustible element,” Black said. “They pull the aluminium skin off the core, recycle the polyethylene into safe products and recycle the aluminium.”</p><p>It’s a great improvement in the process, he said. “When we first started doing this work—and we were one of the first builders to do combustible cladding work—it just all went into a skip bin, which was hard to watch.”</p><div id="4bbNGV08XfzcymBfSuejhI"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3m2a1GMBy2MEsVB3coYtZ2/1eb725a031c9483621f07d755cdbb3ca/MondoClad_at_Sydney_Wharf_Apartments__2_.jpg" alt=" MondoClad cladding in use at Sydney Wharf Apartments." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3m2a1GMBy2MEsVB3coYtZ2/1eb725a031c9483621f07d755cdbb3ca/MondoClad_at_Sydney_Wharf_Apartments__2_.jpg"></picture></div><h2><br>Competitive</h2><p><br>Combustible cladding replacement has only been happening for around four years, but Black said MondoClad had swiftly become CJ Duncan’s go-to product. “We use it predominantly. It’s the vast majority of the cladding that we use in our projects.</p><p>“Certainly, it’s cost competitive. Obviously, we wouldn’t be buying it if it were expensive.”</p><p>But it was the combination of a high-quality product with HVG Facades’ excellent customer service that sealed the deal, he said.</p><p>“Their service is fantastic; the team is great. We can call them up and one of their technical specialists will be onsite—in some instances the next day—colour matching, telling us what colours we need, what stock availability they’ve got and what the lead times are if they don’t have stock availability. They really go above and beyond.”<br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://hvgfacades.com.au/mondoclad/" data-mce-href="https://hvgfacades.com.au/mondoclad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HVG Facades</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong></p>

MondoClad was the product of choice for building contractor CJ Duncan when it replaced the combustible cladding at Pyrmont’s Wharf Apartments in Sydney...

IPEX Hero Jan 30.jpg

<p>You can insure yourself against many risks when it comes to property development, but builder insolvency is not one of them.</p><p>Nevertheless, smart developers are always taking steps to reduce their exposure, exclusively engaging builders with a proven track record and conducting detailed financial due diligence checks before awarding the contract.</p><p>Yet despite such scrutiny, many have still suffered significant losses. There is a huge gap in this process.</p><h2>Audits can’t predict risks that may arise during your build</h2><p><br>The limitation of these checks is that they are all historical, representative of a ‘point in time’ only and rarely providing any real insight into any looming cash shortfalls.</p><p>Even if available resources appear sufficient at the time of contract award, no audit can forecast factors that may negatively impact a project linked to your builder during the construction of your project.</p><p>As recent events have shown, even builders with great reputations are not immune to external market forces, particularly when operating under onerous contract terms.</p><h2>It can be difficult for builders to ‘prove’ that they are trouble-free</h2><p><br>Builders are also dealing with the fallout of insolvency; the issues of some causing all to be tarred with the same brush.</p><p>Even those in a great financial position are in a constant battle to ‘prove it’. Without transparency over how client funds are being managed, developers can never be sure.</p><p>As tricky as it is, the cost of getting it wrong can be immense.</p><p>It’s not just having to pay subcontractors and suppliers again; reconciling transactions and substantiating creditor claims is a painstaking task and with every month that passes, holding costs compound and developer equity diminishes.</p><div id="26jZqGtmrnGrNwUJxlZCpg"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2u1NOhFAA3AKr9xleLADPv/6c267273c9d16c2ee67cf080920b9cbc/IPEX_Mid_Jan_30.jpg" alt="Ipex payments for property developers" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2u1NOhFAA3AKr9xleLADPv/6c267273c9d16c2ee67cf080920b9cbc/IPEX_Mid_Jan_30.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><h2>Reducing risk means appointing a solvent builder and protecting project funds during your build</h2><p><br>No one can predict what future challenges your builder may encounter, so the objective must be to:&nbsp;</p><ul><li><p>Appoint a builder who is financially secure now, and</p></li><li><p>Protect your funds against any potential builder cash-flow issues for the entire duration of your build.</p></li></ul><p>Enter IPEX.&nbsp;</p><p>IPEX is an online payment platform that secures funds intended for a specific project, ensuring that progress payments can be used only to pay approved sub-contractors and suppliers linked to that project.</p><p>IPEX provides developers with visibility over who has been paid and when, without sharing a builders’ commercially sensitive information.</p><p>Given these restrictions, any builder willing to operate within the IPEX framework is essentially confirming what the audits can’t—that they have no intention of using your money to pay other developers’ bills.</p><p>Even if your builder did experience cash-flow issues post-contract award, your funds remain secure as an IPEX account can’t be ‘borrowed’ from.</p><p>And should they become insolvent before practical completion, the impact is minimised as:</p><ul><li><p>Any progress payment made via the IPEX platform has either been distributed to approved parties or remains in the account, and&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></li><li><p>The developer may replace the builder as trustee of the project funds, gaining full visibility of all previous transactions and the ability to make payments directly to suppliers and subcontractors, reducing construction delays, and holding costs.</p></li></ul><div id="5MsqvgNKnjY1SQDFLhkuQa"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6YgAUhBWnaxfLCIWhsg2Jc/dace8fc1172a02e9c20b0908f8ad512f/Copy_of_IPEX_Mid_3_Jan_30.jpg" alt="Ipex payments for construction industry" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6YgAUhBWnaxfLCIWhsg2Jc/dace8fc1172a02e9c20b0908f8ad512f/Copy_of_IPEX_Mid_3_Jan_30.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><h2>IPEX solves a huge problem for developers, but what do builders think?</h2><p><br>Although developers (and lenders) can mandate the use of IPEX as a condition of winning the contract, most would prefer that their builder also buys in.</p><p>Whilst some financially secure builders are proactively employing IPEX as a means of differentiating their bid from competitors, the additional security and transparency IPEX provides has also created an opportunity to revise several ‘standard’ payment practices to the point of mutual benefit.</p><p>So, you can either wait for someone to invent insolvency insurance, or <em>just start protecting your project funds</em>.&nbsp;</p><p>To find out if IPEX can be implemented on your next project, get in touch: <a href="https://ipex.com.au/ipex-sign-up/ipex-developer-eoi/" data-mce-href="https://ipex.com.au/ipex-sign-up/ipex-developer-eoi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://ipex.com.au/ipex-sign-up/ipex-developer-eoi/</a>&nbsp;</p><p>You can also check out developer and builder case studies here: <a href="https://ipex.com.au/case-studies/" data-mce-href="https://ipex.com.au/case-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://ipex.com.au/case-studies/</a><br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://ipex.com.au/" data-mce-href="https://ipex.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPEX</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong></p>

YieldStack Hero Feb 1.jpg

<p>No doubt there is a challenging sales environment with more discerning off-the plan apartment purchasers scrutinising every aspect of a project.</p><p>Sophisticated purchasers require strong conviction that a project will proceed and construction won’t be delayed—they are undertaking their own due diligence on the entire project team and often seek confirmation of project funding as part of their decision-making tree.&nbsp;</p><p>Drew Group’s Lagoon Residence at Main Beach is a two-tower 259 residential apartment project with an end value of $395 million, located 50m from the famed Tedder Avenue dining and entertainment strip, brings together a highly reputable and experienced project team of consultants and partners, which has underpinned its strong performance to date.</p><div id="2yqusb5ufCOJxctTedrzVo"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3mVvla2B6huVFJhmlAd4Nn/4c47b14e986e3593c922e57200db033b/Lagoon_Main_Beach_Drew_Gold_Coast.jpg" alt="Lagoon Residences Gold Coast Main Beach Drew" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3mVvla2B6huVFJhmlAd4Nn/4c47b14e986e3593c922e57200db033b/Lagoon_Main_Beach_Drew_Gold_Coast.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><p><a href="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3mVvla2B6huVFJhmlAd4Nn/4c47b14e986e3593c922e57200db033b/Lagoon_Main_Beach_Drew_Gold_Coast.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3mVvla2B6huVFJhmlAd4Nn/4c47b14e986e3593c922e57200db033b/Lagoon_Main_Beach_Drew_Gold_Coast.jpg"></a>Early works construction began on schedule last month with Australia’s largest privately owned builder, Hutchinson Builders.</p><p>Leading Gold Coast sales agent Pezet Matheson achieved a strong result on pre-sales, achieving $120 million worth of sales. Pleasingly, sales momentum and enquiries are continuing into the construction phase from local and interstate buyers who are not only attracted to the premium product but the excellent offering of amenity at their doorstep.</p><p>Commercial real estate non-bank lender YieldStack Capital Partners provided the $270 million senior debt construction financing, formally cementing its lending presence in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.</p><p>Drew Group managing director Jon Drew said he was excited to bring Lagoon Main Beach to fruition with the support of YieldStack and Hutchinson Builders.</p><p>“Hutchinson has an enviable reputation as a builder with a quality of standards that gives our buyers confidence to commit to the project off the plan. With the financial backing of YieldStack, we now have a world-class team to deliver our vision for this wonderful site,” Drew said.</p><div id="SVNH6UeTSkDqqLWaq30XC"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4kHoM7mHMloVjIpHAnyLea/abc6067e692a8601ce469316e31f57de/Lagoon_Residences_Main_Beach_Gold_Coast.jpg" alt="Gold Coast Lagoon Residences Main Beach Drew" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4kHoM7mHMloVjIpHAnyLea/abc6067e692a8601ce469316e31f57de/Lagoon_Residences_Main_Beach_Gold_Coast.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><p><a href="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4kHoM7mHMloVjIpHAnyLea/abc6067e692a8601ce469316e31f57de/Lagoon_Residences_Main_Beach_Gold_Coast.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4kHoM7mHMloVjIpHAnyLea/abc6067e692a8601ce469316e31f57de/Lagoon_Residences_Main_Beach_Gold_Coast.jpg"></a>YieldStack Capital Partners investment director Neil Kumar said: “YieldStack was engaged very early in the process as the finance partner which allowed us to tailor a funding solution for Lagoon.</p><p>“Lagoon demonstrates that despite the market conditions, we have a strong appetite for quality sponsors with exceptional track record and their quality projects backed by strong underlying fundamentals”.</p><p>YieldStack are funding a number of projects in the region given forecast population growth in south-east Queensland and northern NSW. It is also financing another project—Podia’s Bonobo by Raes at Byron Bay, which is backed by Centennial Property Group.</p><p>“We’re certainly not bearish about these markets,” Kumar said.</p><p>“With support from global investors, YieldStack continues to have an appetite for the Gold Coast and similar lifestyle locations, especially in light of steady population growth, solid demand and limited supply in the market.</p><p>“What we like about the Gold Coast market is that we are backing good quality developers who have experience, strong balance sheets, and have partnered with top-tier builders like Hutchinson Builders with a record of delivering projects through cycles.” Kumar said.<br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="http://yieldstack.com" data-mce-href="http://yieldstack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YieldStack</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong></p>

Drew Group assembles a proven, trusted team for Lagoon Residence at Main Beach…

RAMUS Hero Jan 24.jpg

<p>Situated next to bustling Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s CBD, Intersection at 1000 La Trobe was inspired by the daily flow of people and cultures.</p><p>As trains move into and out of the nearby station arriving from greater Victoria, live data points inform the colour and movement of each high-resolution LED tube in the facade illumination.</p><div id="1EJm9cWR9JiZVUCCMlaFpC"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/m2vjZ4qTduSHnSiqS7f0r/930883e47b343e8bb92d9e0f1253220a/RAMUS_Mid_Jan_30.jpg" alt="RAMUS 2" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/m2vjZ4qTduSHnSiqS7f0r/930883e47b343e8bb92d9e0f1253220a/RAMUS_Mid_Jan_30.jpg"></picture><div><br></div><div><p>RAMUS Studio artistic director Bruce Ramus said, “We wanted to bring a gentle quality of light and movement to the Digital Harbour precinct. Through our programming approach, and a connection to multiple APIs, we created a seasonal shift in the colour palette, and a ‘tail’ of light which slowly moves up and down the facade, indicating the arrival and departure of the regional trains. These movements offer a symbol of where the community intersects.”</p><p>In the urban environment where competing light noise is everywhere, the intention with this work is to offer a&nbsp;simple,&nbsp;sophisticated subtlety to complement the architecture.&nbsp;Intersection&nbsp;delivers this with impact thanks to the scale of the 22-storey skyscraper.</p><div id="2UyP3nIle8QN1Q6h6a2Jff"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1pBuhLznh4AZXiAWXlqbF1/e49d3bc25291f53777f6468a8059bf9d/RAMUS_Mid_2_Jan_30.jpg" alt="RAMUS 3" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1pBuhLznh4AZXiAWXlqbF1/e49d3bc25291f53777f6468a8059bf9d/RAMUS_Mid_2_Jan_30.jpg"></picture><div><br></div><div><p>Ramus said, “As an artwork, Intersection is comprised of two integrated elements. The first is its form, and the second is the visual content that activates it. We have developed both of these elements in collaboration with Woods Bagot and Poly, and with consideration of the key narratives that guide the Intersection commission, that of innovative integration, and community connection”.</p><p>Ramus and his team are at the forefront of a movement called Media Architecture, where art, digital media and construction combine.</p><p><span class="mce-preview-object mce-object-iframe" contenteditable="false" data-mce-object="iframe" data-mce-p-allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-p-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jn0rQjcEGNw"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jn0rQjcEGNw" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><span class="mce-shim"></span></span></p></div></div></div></div><h2>About RAMUS&nbsp;</h2><p><br>RAMUS is an award-winning design studio led by founder and light artist Bruce Ramus. Their multidisciplinary team spans immersive, interactive and architectural design. The burgeoning field of media architecture works to dematerialise the urban built environment to ensure that buildings reflect the civic voice of the community. Key to each project is the visual content created. This content is captured from the community the project represents, showcasing the natural beauty and talent on offer.</p><h2>The artist, Bruce Ramus<br>&nbsp;</h2><div id="6lTzCVP3aSI8rCkjqygKbz"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3re7h7DWV7ob996FKKSgK5/cc15d86dc3e600da2d86e04fac844ece/RAMUS_Mid_4_Jan_30.jpg" alt="Bruce Ramus" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3re7h7DWV7ob996FKKSgK5/cc15d86dc3e600da2d86e04fac844ece/RAMUS_Mid_4_Jan_30.jpg"></picture><div><br></div></div><p>Founder and director of RAMUS Light Studio, Canadian-born Ramus has been creating immersive light experiences for decades. Starting as a designer and director of grand-scale, theatrical light experiences in the entertainment realm, Ramus now creates compelling, beautiful site-specific artworks that reflect the essence and natural rhythms of people. His concepts combine long-term artistic vision with deep technical understanding.</p><h3>RAMUS LINKS&nbsp;</h3><p>Website: <a href="https://www.ramus.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.ramus.com.au">https://www.ramus.com.au</a><br><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ramusstudio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.instagram.com/ramusstudio/">https://www.instagram.com/ramusstudio/</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ramusstudios" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/ramusstudios">https://twitter.com/ramusstudios</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RamusIllumination" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/RamusIllumination">https://www.facebook.com/RamusIllumination</a></p><p><br></p><h3>CONTACT</h3><p>Tina Kopa<br>Managing director<br><a href="mailto:larissa@ramus.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="mailto:larissa@ramus.com.au">tina@ramus.com.au</a></p><p>+61414347060<br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://www.ramus.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.ramus.com.au">RAMUS</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.&nbsp;</strong></p>

RAMUS Studio Brings Movement and Color to Melbourne's Docklands...

Buildmedia Hero Jan 25.jpg

<p>Buildmedia, the&nbsp;Auckland-based creative studio widely considered to be the world leader in off-the-plan interactive real estate sales and marketing solutions, city-scale digital twins and interactive eCommerce VR experiences, has merged with&nbsp;London&nbsp;and&nbsp;New York-based pioneering visualisation studio The Boundary.</p><p>Founded 20 years ago, Buildmedia are global leaders of interactive real-time solutions across multiple sectors using Epic Games Unreal Engine technology. They have produced numerous groundbreaking experiential solutions, including their proprietary interactive display suite solution, <a href="https://buildmedia.com/realspace" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://buildmedia.com/realspace">Realspace</a>, and also developed particular expertise for high-fidelity virtual reality city and country-scale digital twins.</p><div id="1P9KeyNwFdj2ElnA4idN0L"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/28Pc1kSC0zhmu1TLW2QIvW/8c2305d5db04b86fa1685190d189013a/Copy_of_Buildmedia_2_Mid_Jan_25.jpg" alt="City-scale digital twin of Wellington, New Zealand." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/28Pc1kSC0zhmu1TLW2QIvW/8c2305d5db04b86fa1685190d189013a/Copy_of_Buildmedia_2_Mid_Jan_25.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ City-scale digital twin of Wellington, New Zealand.<br><br></span></div></div><p>The Boundary’s reputation as an expert collective of creative technologists, designers, filmmakers and storytellers has been built working on marketing campaigns for prestigious developments such as the Waldorf Astoria (New York), 175 Park Avenue (New York) and The Whiteleys (London) via the creation of hyper-photorealistic CGI visualisations, animated films and virtual reality experiences.</p><p>This strategic merger brings together best-in-class photorealistic creative CGI and VR expertise from <a href="https://www.the-boundary.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.the-boundary.com/">The Boundary</a> with the best-in-class technical capabilities and proprietary IP developed by <a href="https://buildmedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://buildmedia.com/">Buildmedia</a>.</p><p>The combined business, which will move forward under The Boundary brand umbrella, is uniquely positioned to exceed the expectations of high-end real estate developers, destination marketers, and eCommerce-focused brands looking to exploit emerging web3/metaverse opportunities via experiential interactive content and applications.</p><p>Epic Games have been long-standing admirers of the Buildmedia team, having contracted them as one of only two Unreal Authorized Service Partners in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction space. Epic often cites Buildmedia’s digital twin of&nbsp;Wellington&nbsp;City as setting the benchmark of what’s possible using their technology.</p><div id="T9QSBrdkRFzhyldn92A56"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7cwUACntqyxtBaMReHKqgm/055db7369ffa2b0cf856a1cf0b607eb4/Buildmedia_3_Mid_Jan_25.jpg" alt="Buildmedia has a well-earned reputation for creating world-class immersive experiences" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7cwUACntqyxtBaMReHKqgm/055db7369ffa2b0cf856a1cf0b607eb4/Buildmedia_3_Mid_Jan_25.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Buildmedia has a well-earned reputation for creating world-class immersive experiences.<br><br></span></div></div><p>With financial backing from private equity firm Mobeus, and the injection of a raft of vastly experienced and impressive executive management team members from Buildmedia, the newlook business will be investing in R&amp;D across their VR/web3/metaverse services and applications.</p><p>The Boundary chief executive&nbsp;Tom Wood&nbsp;says, “This strategic merger marks the next phase for The Boundary following impressive growth across&nbsp;North America&nbsp;and the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), as we now naturally expand across APAC. We are delighted to welcome the very talented Buildmedia team into the family”.</p><p>With more than 100 in-house CGI artists and creative technologists operating at the very top end of the visualisation sector, The Boundary is now uniquely positioned to deliver photorealistic end-to-end client services across the emerging web3/metaverse in the Real Estate, Hospitality, eCommerce and digital twin sectors.</p><div id="4YJK6tyvm0AZmusIwjHY0t"><div><div id="4YJK6tyvm0AZmusIwjHY0t"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Zzjxjf1VXGGx5pHGMm2gX/a1ab2f10c72a84a3c932fc570b16d793/Buildmedia_building_2.jpg" alt="A skyscraper" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Zzjxjf1VXGGx5pHGMm2gX/a1ab2f10c72a84a3c932fc570b16d793/Buildmedia_building_2.jpg"></picture><div><br data-mce-bogus="1"></div></div></div></div><p>Crucially, the enlarged business also provides clients with the assurance of scale and financial stability, which are prerequisites for large clients investing significant sums into multi-year metaverse and digital twin projects.</p><p>Buildmedia founder and chief&nbsp;Gareth Ross&nbsp;said, “We have created a market-leading real-time solution over the past 20 years, and the idea of joining The Boundary to deliver our proposition globally was an opportunity we couldn't resist”.</p><p><span contenteditable="false" data-mce-object="iframe" class="mce-preview-object mce-object-iframe" data-mce-p-allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-p-frameborder="0" data-mce-p-src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/789668685?h=c3c55b1894"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/789668685?h=c3c55b1894" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" data-mce-src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/789668685?h=c3c55b1894"></iframe><span class="mce-shim"></span></span></p><p><br>The transfer of employees and complementary knowledge and IP between New Zealand and The Boundary’s studios will strengthen the client proposition across both hemispheres, while providing all clients with the benefits of a company operating 24/7.<br><br></p><hr><p><br><strong><em>The Urban Developer</em> is proud to partner with <a href="https://buildmedia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://buildmedia.com/">Buildmedia</a> to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers. </strong></p>

Buildmedia, the Auckland-based creative studio widely considered to be the world leader in off-the-plan interactive real estate sales and marketing solutions, city-scale digital twins and interactive eCommerce VR experiences, has merged with London and New York-based pioneering visualisation studio The Boundary...