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Gold Coast developer S&amp;S Projects has filed plans for its fourth project&nbsp; Rainbow Bay on Queensland’s Gold Coast.The developer is proposing a 33-apartment, 13-storey tower in the&nbsp; development application it has lodged with the City of Gold Coast for a 1335sq m site at 271 Boundary Street.The site, on the corner with Petrie Street, is next door to S&amp;S Projects’ $48-million Awaken tower, which is under constructuion, near the Point Danger lookout.&nbsp;The developers other projects on the southern Gold Coastare the completed $90-million Flow residences and the under construction $140-million Esprit residential apartments.Awaken is sold out with its penthouse selling for $9 million and completion scheduled for later this year while Espirit is currently under construction.The site is near a north facing beach overlooking Snapper Rocks, Carlin Family Rock, Duranbah Beach, Cook Island and Tweed River.&nbsp;Plans for the new $140-million tower designed by Cottee Parker Architects include a swimming pool, outdoor dining and barbecue area, communal private dining, kitchen and wine tasting rooms, a business centre meeting room, and a wellness centre and gym.The tower comprises eight two-bedroom apartments, 17 three-bedroom apartments, four three-bedroom penthouses and four sub-penthouses on the upper levels.It is a short walk to Rainbow Bay, Greenmount Beach and Coolangatta Beach.<div id="2aJSyRLhUSu1wd2LauIsTW"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/F9BYUn5GuO0PZy1LHbQaI/b54f3eac0b875b14513c4adf8e20938c/rainbow_bay_project_fourth_one_mid_article_image.jpg" alt="This will be S and S Project's fourth project in the Rainbow Bay precinct." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/F9BYUn5GuO0PZy1LHbQaI/b54f3eac0b875b14513c4adf8e20938c/rainbow_bay_project_fourth_one_mid_article_image.jpg"></picture><div>▲ This will be S&amp;S Project's fourth development in the Rainbow Bay area. </div></div>Pezet Matheson’s Jayde Pezet marketed the first three projects and said that the market for luxury residential was strong in the precinct.&nbsp;“We’ve had interested parties who were not able to get into [the] first three projects who are waiting for more new, quality product to enter the market,” Pezet said.Pending council approval the developer anticipates launching the project by the end of the year.

A developer is keen to complement its earlier projects, filing plans for a fourth one right next door in the same precinct…


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Three of Mirvac’s residential towers in Sydney’s $13-billion Green Square have topped out.The trio—The Frederick (23 storeys), Portman on the Park (12 storeys) and Portman House (11 storeys)—comprise 311 homes and have a combined construction value of more than $210 million.The Green Square precinct in Zetland, in Sydney’s west, is one of the largest urban renewal projects in Australia.&nbsp;Mirvac chief executive, development, Stuart Penklis said the completion of the three buildings “forms a significant milestone for the ongoing evolution of Green Square from one of the city’s oldest industrial suburbs to Sydney’s first new town centre in more than a century”.“The new community we are delivering in partnership with state and local government at Green Square has already contributed homes for more than 1000 residents and these three new apartment buildings will mean a further 685 residents will call the precinct home by the end of 2023.&nbsp;“On completion, Mirvac will deliver more than 1600 apartments in Green Square, along with state-of-the-art office and vibrant retail spaces, and substantial public spaces within the Green Square Town Centre.”Penklis said Green Square was “a great example of government and industry coming together to not only generate more places close to the city for Sydneysiders to call home, but also foster a community that will meet the needs of its residents for years to come”.Green Square by Mirvac has been under way for more than nine years and the precinct is now home to an internationally acclaimed library and Civic Plaza, as well as the 6200sq m Drying Green, Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Green Square train station, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre, and more than 40 parks.<div id="4tBHv4FH7mSVKeXTolKJb4"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3tHRM9mFI8k5rRR6U0aNf6/9f1ccb03e3723003c16c0bd1dc22ecb1/1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3tHRM9mFI8k5rRR6U0aNf6/9f1ccb03e3723003c16c0bd1dc22ecb1/1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Milestone: Toby Long and Stephanie James, from Mirvac, City of Sydney City Planning, Development &amp; Transport director Graham Jahn, NSW planning minister Paul Scully, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Mirvac chief executive of development Stuart Penklis at the topping out ceremony. </div></div>The Green Square Public School, set to cater for 600 primary students, began construction in August.&nbsp;Landcom, the NSW government’s land and property development organisation, and Mirvac began working on the Green Square urban renewal project in 2012.Penklis said more than 80 per cent of the towers’ apartments had sold. “As our national immigration rates return to pre-pandemic levels, and with national unemployment rates at a near 50-year low, we are seeing buyers acting decisively in the tightening market to secure quality, larger apartments setting themselves up for future growth,” he said.“Green Square is an ideal example of incorporating ESG principles into residential development, creating ‘good density’ modelled on a new approach to sustainable inner-city living leveraging new and existing infrastructure.”

Another 300-plus homes are close to completion in Mirvac’s $13-billion Green Square precinct…

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The Malaysian developer behind a planned 51-storey Surfers Paradise tower says it is shopping for a builder and will break ground on the $300-million project early next year.MRCB International said it had secured funding from Malaysian financial institution MBSB Bank for the project, 26 Vista.The plans for the tower were filed with the Gold Coast City Council in May of last year.The DBI-designed slender tower is planned for a 3100sq m vacant block at 26 Vista Street, formerly home to a putt-putt golf course.The tower is to rise to 172.4m and comprise 280 apartments plus six three-storey terrace houses fronting Northcliffe Light Rail Station.&nbsp;The developer reportedly paid $17 million for the site in 2021.The residential mix includes 56 one-bedroom apartments, 154 two-bedroom, 62 three-bedroom and eight four-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;<div id="2iUaNZw8A8J6fjBYzIOVYa"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/39z10SgMoWQsgMl9Z6WB3P/5678042e0f878bec3f936ea3fee2ae90/Copy_of_E01_Exterior_Hero_copy.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/39z10SgMoWQsgMl9Z6WB3P/5678042e0f878bec3f936ea3fee2ae90/Copy_of_E01_Exterior_Hero_copy.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The developer of 26 Vista at Surfers Paradise is pushing ahead with the 51-storey tower. </div></div>Level 4 is a dedicated communal recreation space with a gym, outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, ice shower and pool lounge. There will also be rooftop gardens and a kitchen and dining room.MRCB International chief executive Ravi Krishnan said the tower was the developer’s first on the Gold Coast.“We are determined to succeed and follow through with our plans to introduce one of the most sophisticated projects ever seen in Surfers Paradise,” he said.“It is a precarious time for the construction industry and builders are needing to be savvy and highly selective when it comes to tendering for new projects.“The financing from MBSB Bank has bolstered our ability to secure a builder with the knowledge that our financial status is secure and we will be able to deliver this project.”Vista 26 is scheduled for completion in 2026.<div id="1cwz1AtfhND8xCIipnieUc"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7f7N4CC1nHNGaF12mlQuWK/bf08e70f996a3536fa29603a5fcc8a21/Copy_of_A03_Lobby_Foyer.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7f7N4CC1nHNGaF12mlQuWK/bf08e70f996a3536fa29603a5fcc8a21/Copy_of_A03_Lobby_Foyer.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of the lobby of Vista 26.</div></div>

The Malaysian developer behind a 51-storey tower in Surfers Paradise says it’s secured funding and is set to break ground early next year…

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A developer has filed plans for a mixed-use project in a suburb “on the edge of a gentrifying Melbourne”.Plans for rhe five-storey tower, proposed for a 2612.4sq m site at 590-596 Barkly Street, West Footscray, have been filed with the City of Maribyrnong council.The developer is Birchmore and managing director Andrew Peters said the project made sense as it was planned for a growth area.“We see West Footscray as an exciting area on the edge of a gentrifying Melbourne with a lot of growth,” Peters told The Urban Developer.Supermarket retail giant Woolworths recently submitted an application for the same area, the Barkly Street Village, which has been this year defined by a new structure plan, the West Footscray Neighbourhood Plan.Genton Architects designed the plans for Birchmore’s project, which comprise a five-storey building with parking in the basement and on the ground floor.There would be two retail tenancies, and a communal space and lobby on the ground floor as well as a communal space on the fourth floor.The four upper floor are all given over to apartments with 56 planned—14 one, 34 two and eight three-bedroom apartments.There would be 73 car parking spaces across the lower and upper car parking levels in the basement and the ground floor, and 71 bicycle storage spaces with two hoops and 69 racks.The total gross floor area for the project is 10,542sq m with 4008sq m of net saleable area and 274sq m of net lettable area.Four lots were consolidated to create the site and Birchmore confirmed it bought the site for $7 million.The site is in the West Footscray Neighbourhood Activity Centre and has two existing single-storey buildings and two buildings of one to two storeys each. All existing buildings will be demolished as part of the plans.Birchmore is planning a community consultation session later this month in conjunction with one of the existing shops on the site, the West Footscray Traders Association's opportunity shop which raises funds for community projects.“We are running a community workshop with all the neighbors or the direct interface neighbors because we actually got on the front foot and dropped off a copy of all the plans to neighboring interfaces,” Birchmore development director Edward Cramer said.“We understand that this will be probably the first application as part of this new structure plan.“We are also mindful that it’s going to cause a bit of a lot of questions.”Peters said that they wanted to work with the community.“This will really be to both educate the residents and community, and to take on their feedback,” Peters said.“We want to work with the community to educate them on the new plan but also seek their feedback on how we can improve.” <div id="1CRRXdUtc5NfRR1JuJRdrl"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/380s5dacSS9pgMYLqW1jvn/ca952f4630f66a78938265ee49875629/Birchmore_kinglake_village_render_mid_article_image.jpg" alt="A render of one of Birchmore's other projects - a town centre for the Kinglake Village in Victoria's Yarra Valley." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/380s5dacSS9pgMYLqW1jvn/ca952f4630f66a78938265ee49875629/Birchmore_kinglake_village_render_mid_article_image.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of one of Birchmore's other projects—a town centre for the Kinglake Village in the Yarra Valley. </div></div>There are bus and tram services on Barkly and Essex streets while the West Footscray and Tottenham railway stations are within a kilometre&nbsp; of the site.The site is 7km north-west of the Melbourne CBD.Birchmore has residential projects in Victoria and New South Wales, and is currently finishing up a land development project in Waurn Ponds, a suburb of Geelong.&nbsp; The developer also has other projects in the works including the Kinglake Village in the Yarra Valley and the East Sunbury Village.&nbsp;

A five-storey mid-market residential project with retail tenancies has been proposed for one of West Footscray’s main streets…


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A masterplanned Castle Hill community has received approval and is being touted as the largest and greenest development in the suburb west of Sydney.&nbsp;The Carrington Place development is a 3.2ha site at 36 Carrington Road and comprises 771 apartments across five towers of up to 12 storeys.&nbsp;The Tony Owen Partners and Stanisic Architects-designed towers will be nestled alongside the Cattai Creek on the western border of the development.&nbsp;Carrington Place project director Joseph Chiha said the project would be a multi-staged urban village with a strong connection to nature and a 20,000sq m landscaped recreation space, which made it one of the greenest developments in Castle Hill.<div id="76gZSCFgxuZ6EiAz5w8lq3"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3AeUZmg22MhcpBfgI70U7Z/6350da4ea8fc4fcf3b8758ae4f478f7c/Carrington_MID1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3AeUZmg22MhcpBfgI70U7Z/6350da4ea8fc4fcf3b8758ae4f478f7c/Carrington_MID1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The Carrington Place development maintains a strong connection to the creek flowing along its western border and the green belt alongside it. </div></div> “The project seamlessly blends with the surrounding nature and aims to become one of Sydney’s most sustainable urban communities,” Chiha said.Ellipse Property founder Sam El Rihani said the approval and start of Carrington Place would be a significant milestone for the company.“We believe in creating more than just buildings; we strive to develop thriving communities,” El Rihani said.“With Carrington Place, our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and connection among residents. We envision a place where neighbours become friends, where families create lasting memories, and where the community flourishes together.”The first stage of the development, Atrium, will comprise 151 apartments across an eight-storey tower with rooftop recreation facilities.&nbsp; Each tower within the development will achieve a minimum 6-star NATHERS rating.<div id="2fOniX7O5qc7J4z1gAI0Uf"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1NUCVpmtBxDb0DySshCS3k/0f90445007f18e1a1ccb0fb3f026132b/Carrington_MID2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1NUCVpmtBxDb0DySshCS3k/0f90445007f18e1a1ccb0fb3f026132b/Carrington_MID2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The masterplanned community centres on a landscaped 20,000sq m recreational space connecting the village. </div></div> Construction is planned to begin in Q3-2023 with the first stage due for completion in Q3 2025. The entire five-stage precinct is due for completion in 2032.It follows a slew of approvals for the western Sydney suburb in the past month.&nbsp;Msquared Capital <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/macquarie-capital-castle-hill-apartment-project" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/macquarie-capital-castle-hill-apartment-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently won approval for its five-tower development planned for Castle Hill</a> after its Land and Environment Court appeal was upheld.&nbsp;It now has the green light for stages one and two of the Cadman Crescent development—comprising 242 apartments across five buildings around a central courtyard.Developer <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-dual-tower-kassis-approved" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-dual-tower-kassis-approved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kassis’s plans to swap out one and three-bedroom apartments for four-bedroom units</a> in the dual-tower project Grand Reve were also approved.&nbsp;While building A in the project planned for 6-12 and 6-20 Garthowen Crescent, Castle Hill, was unchanged, the amendments for building B approved by The Hills Shire Council cut the total number of apartments to 185 from 192 in the Giles Tribe Architects-designed development.

A masterplanned Castle Hill community has received approval for more than 700 apartments could be the greenest development in the suburb west of Sydney...

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As the cost of living crisis continues, the focus on affordable living in Sydney has prompted a wave of co-living development plans with the latest in Granville.&nbsp;Plans for the six-storey co-living building has been filed for 31-33 Enid Avenue, Granville, which is 18km west of the CBD.Texco Designs prepared the plans for developer St Enid Holdings Pty Ltd, which is owned by private New South Wales developer Chi Tung Li.&nbsp;The developer applied to Cumberland City Council for consent for the residential project, which comprises 49 co-living rooms plus basement parking.Under the plans, there would be four common rooms, landscaped communal open space at ground level and a rooftop communal open space.Two single-storey brick houses would be demolished to make way for the development.The site is within a high-density residential zone and is close to Granville and Clyde train stations, as well as parks, a bowling club and swimming centre.&nbsp;The proposed development will make “a positive contribution to the streetscape and desired future character” of the area, according to the developers.The Granville area is changing as lots of single-detached homes are amalgamated and redeveloped into residential buildings of up to six storeys, according to the development application.Additionally, after the introduction of <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/nsw-housing-policy-shakes-up-affordable-seniors-living" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/nsw-housing-policy-shakes-up-affordable-seniors-living" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021</a>, which included two new housing types, there has been an increase in co-living developments planned for NSW.Recently, Good Housing launched <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/good-housing-15-storey-newcastle-co-living-tower" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/good-housing-15-storey-newcastle-co-living-tower" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans for a Newcastle co-living development</a>, as have rich listers George and Wendy Inatey <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/camperdown-co-living-project-plans-filed" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/camperdown-co-living-project-plans-filed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for a Camperdown project</a>, while developers Charbel Hazzouri and Anthony El-Hazouri have been attributed with <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/revelop-co-living-development-profile" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/revelop-co-living-development-profile" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aiding a revolution</a> in the sector.

A focus on affordable living in Sydney has prompted a wave of co-living developments, including the latest project lodged for Granville....

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Prolific Gold Coast apartment developer Raptis wants to slash 17 storeys from its proposed Broadbeach tower, blaming rising building costs and supply constraints.In an application before Gold Coast City Council, the developer is asking to cut 55 apartments from the already approved, Koichi Takada-designed project.It is the second time Raptis has tried to steer the changes through the municipality.The developer originally&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/raptis-george-street-development-gold-coast" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/raptis-george-street-development-gold-coast">won approval for 138 apartments&nbsp;</a>in a 40-storey high-rise on the 1548sq m site at 6-8 George Avenue in December, 2021.Then in February this year, Raptis lodged a “minor change submission” to the 155.5m tower, telling the council it was no longer feasible to build to original plans due to “substantial” changes in building costs and the supply of materials.However, Gold Coast deemed the reduction to 23 floors to be a “substantially different development,” and late last month the developer lodged another change application.<div id="3E1TpS3gx7aNeBKECM4UCN"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2SnLJdRlBquWzyHLXY4BdT/cccce184791db13c488a67beb9729836/raptis_broadie_before_after_mid.jpg" alt="A composite image of the original design for the residential tower (left) and the latest plans, which cut the building to 23 levels." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2SnLJdRlBquWzyHLXY4BdT/cccce184791db13c488a67beb9729836/raptis_broadie_before_after_mid.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The original design for the residential tower (left) and the latest plans, which cut the building to 23 levels.</div><div> </div></div>The plans seek to decrease the number of apartments by 55 to 83. Forty of those, according to documents lodged by Zone Planning Group, will be two-bedroom, with another 42 of three bedrooms. A single four-bedroom apartment remains.With the original design’s upper levels gone, so too have sub-penthouse and penthouse apartments. A third basement level has disappeared, leading to 70 fewer carparking spaces.The amended proposal also includes a revised internal tower floor plate, revised external tower facade and revised tower cap feature. The tower’s footprint and position within the rectangular site remain largely unchanged.The long-time south-east Queensland developer was founded by 76-year-old Jim Raptis—a designer and architect—who arrived in Australia as a young boy with his Greek family in 1954. He began developing property in Sydney in 1967, before moving to the Gold Coast.Today, he is joint managing director of Raptis with son Evan.

Prolific Gold Coast apartment developer Raptis is seeking to chop 17 storeys from its proposed Broadbeach residential tower project.

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Plans to swap out one and three-bedroom apartments for four-bedroom units in a dual-tower project in Sydney’s north-west have filed.While building A in the project planned for 8 and 18 Garthowen Crescent, Castle Hill was unchanged, the amendments for building B lodged with The Hills Shire Council reduce the total number of apartments to 185 from 192 in the Turner-Studio-designed development.The addition of four-bedroom apartments reflects a growing trend in apartments as families and downsizers look to vertical living.The original plans for the $210-million project were filed in 2020 and approved in 2021, with some criticism from sections of the community over height issues and traffic concerns.The development by Kassis and builder Dascohas has been dubbed Grand Rève, with the architects describind its as “contemporary luxury apartments homogenised with a beautiful landscaped podium, seating pods, lush intimate spaces and residential dining sprinkled throughout”.&nbsp;<div id="3XnY95VIi0zkYcvCJ5tbGK"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5bykIRsXnsyz08JJdMfd1Z/5e36e4a3b52b252a6165fb3be4192313/Garthowen_Crescent_In-article__40_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5bykIRsXnsyz08JJdMfd1Z/5e36e4a3b52b252a6165fb3be4192313/Garthowen_Crescent_In-article__40_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A render of part of the now-approved twin-tower development.</div><div> </div></div>Its location in the Sydney Metro Northwest Urban Renewal Corridor means that no more than 25 per cent of the homes should be one-bedroom units, and that 20 per cent should have three or more bedrooms.&nbsp;The Garthowen Crescent precinct is characterised by low-density homes with some medium-density development.&nbsp;There are also some new multi-level high-density residential buildings that have frontages to Garthowen Crescent and Old Northern Road.&nbsp;Castle Hill has recorded a surge of development activity recently, with plans lodged by Aretean Capital in February for a <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-affordable-housing-complex-proposed" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-affordable-housing-complex-proposed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$79-million affordable housing complex,</a> meanwhile major plans from QIC for the Castle Towers shopping precinct are full-steam ahead.&nbsp;One of Sydney’s oldest suburbs, the influx of development has led some to suggest that it has <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-development-panorama-apartments" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/castle-hill-development-panorama-apartments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reached its limit for development</a>.

A dual 18 and 13-storey tower development in Castle Hill has upped its four-bedroom apartment mix 

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Lewis Land Group has been given the green light for the next stage of its $1.5-billion masterplan across one of the Gold Coast’s largest infill developments.The <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/lewis-land-group-biggera-waters-development-application" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/lewis-land-group-biggera-waters-development-application" target="_blank">second stage of its Harbour Shore</a>s project will comprise three 12-storey apartment towers with a combined 230 apartments plus wellness amenities, 5700sq m of communal recreation space and basement parking for 440 cars.It forms part of a broader 16-stage masterplan across a 15.7ha canal-front site that will deliver 2000 homes.Earmarked for an 8.5ha site at 564 Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters, it is next to the Harbourtown Premium Outlets shopping complex, in which Lewis Land has retained a 50 per cent stake.“Stage two of Harbour Shores … will set the tone for the balance of the Harbour Shores masterplan as it is implemented over the next 10 years,” a submitted planning report said.“Subsequently, the proposal provides a high quality, innovative and contemporary architectural and urban design outcome that does not unduly affect the amenity, built form, land use character and environmental qualities of the locality.”&nbsp;Targeting owner-occupiers, the three Cottee Parker-designed towers—comprisisng 70, 73 and 80 residences, respectively—will rise 39m and provide an overall mix of 116 two-bedroom, 102 three-bedroom and 12 four-bedroom apartments.“The mix of apartments allows for varying typologies to be provided at different price-points, appealing to a wide cross-section of the market,” the documents said.<div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-06-02T162716.536.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4weeqUwrUyfcdx9rCcUC9A/856c6f5592b58cb7fc76ed7ac727c6b2/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-02T162716.536.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4weeqUwrUyfcdx9rCcUC9A/856c6f5592b58cb7fc76ed7ac727c6b2/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-02T162716.536.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-06-02T162754.666.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2GZ5q1RMkzZWiA1EGdJRKl/c5e5ce2e0ea1088acb5f29c345fd812f/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-02T162754.666.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2GZ5q1RMkzZWiA1EGdJRKl/c5e5ce2e0ea1088acb5f29c345fd812f/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-02T162754.666.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-06-02T162833.265.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/gky54t21RdhDqp32hwmhm/1b1dc7f34a80bbae433b509d1be0bb42/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-02T162833.265.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/gky54t21RdhDqp32hwmhm/1b1dc7f34a80bbae433b509d1be0bb42/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-02T162833.265.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div> Two of the buildings will be topped with rooftop pools and private dining rooms to take advantage of the expansive views towards the coast and Surfers Paradise, while the third will have a ground-floor swimming pool, barbecue space and private seating pods.Harbour Shores has been envisioned as a resort-style gated community comprising a range of townhouses and apartments set among expansive landscaped and recreational spaces.It has been designed with a variety of exclusive-use amenities for residents, including pools, tennis court and clubhouse facilities in addition to a centrepiece recreational park and canal- front boardwalk that will be publicly accessible.&nbsp;As well as the residential component, the second stage includes 433sq m of commercial space to be occupied by either&nbsp; a shop or food and drink outlet to activate the interface with the boardwalk and feature parkland.

 Lewis Land Group will now move ahead with the next part of its development on one of the Gold Coast’s largest infill developments…

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Sprawling mega-mansions are out, sky-high penthouses are in, and Sydney's pockets have never been deeper in the ultra-luxury end of the market.Buying property has always been a solid option for high-net-worth individuals and even in the post-Covid landscape, the performance of Sydney’s luxury residential market has not slowed.“We’re not seeing any shallowing of the pool of purchasers for luxury apartments,” Knight Frank Australia head of residential Erin van Tuil says.Earlier this month, Fortis made headlines with the sale of Ox House, a three-level Oxford Street home, which sold <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/luxury-fortis-development-smashes-sydney-records" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/luxury-fortis-development-smashes-sydney-records" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for a record price of $16.5 million</a>.Lendlease last week announced that its Mitsubishi Estate Asia’s luxury residential tower One Circular Quay surpassed $1 billion in presales after sales for its One Sydney Harbour exceeded $3.7 billion at the end of last year.&nbsp;One Sydney Harbour also claimed the record for Australia’s most expensive residence with the $140-million sale of a three-storey penthouse.And this week, Knight Frank’s Global Super-Prime Intelligence report revealed Sydney was ranked ninth in the world for super-prime (more than $US10 million) property sales with 10 super-prime sales in the first quarter of 2023, ahead of Paris and Orange County, both of which recorded three sales.But according to Lendlease head of apartments Daniel Dugina there has been an evolution in what buyers are looking for.&nbsp;“Traditionally, there’s been a preference for larger established homes but we’ve seen an increasing shift in the past few years towards prime high-rise luxury living, similar to major cities around the world such as London and New York,” he says.&nbsp;“We’re also finding that buyers are more discerning, expecting more sophisticated finishes, an elevated level of service and private amenities, generous indoor and outdoor spaces in an iconic location, and also the confidence in a developer to be able to work with them to deliver on their expectations.”Elsewhere, Top Spring Australia will complete Munro House in Elizabeth Bay in late 2023, while its Ode development at Double Bay, scheduled for completion in late 2025, has already broken price records for the suburb <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/record-breaking-double-bay-project-s-penthouse-sold" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/record-breaking-double-bay-project-s-penthouse-sold" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on three occasions</a>.And the high-end of the market seems certain to stay buoyant, according to Top Spring managing director Sydney Ma.“In areas such as the eastern suburbs, the desire for high-quality properties with a truly unique lifestyle hasn’t wavered and Sydney remains one of the country’s strongest and most consistent performers,” he says.&nbsp;“In the past six months we have seen suburb pricing records smashed, including our penthouse and sub-penthouse levels at Ode, which sold at an average off-the-plan price of $20 million.“Munro House launched in the middle of the lockdown and we had a strong take-up rate by owner-occupiers who understood the value proposition of living in a high-quality development in a prime Elizabeth Bay address.”<div id="4p0JvZWqSHwxjQvS0pEXpn"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4TmLFrQwsznFNAQro5Q28b/b7e07e04ff3788c96ca510eeaa1bb60e/Ode_In_article_Top_Spring.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4TmLFrQwsznFNAQro5Q28b/b7e07e04ff3788c96ca510eeaa1bb60e/Ode_In_article_Top_Spring.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Ode by Top Spring: An example of the move towards medium-density luxury living. </div></div>Some things about the luxury sector are changing, however, including trends in secondary homes, according to Knight Frank Australia head of residential Erin van Tuil.“Primary and secondary homes make up 36 per cent of Australian wealth portfolios—a lot of individual wealth is tied up in homes they live in, and ultra-high net worth individuals own 2.9 homes on average.“In terms of those secondary homes and lifestyle decisions, only 1 per cent of Australians invest their money overseas or invest in overseas residential compared to a global average of 13 per cent—Australians are still spending within Australia. It’s a long-term trend but certainly a continuing trend.&nbsp;“One in four ultra-high-net-worth individuals bought a home in 2022, and 16 per cent are buying a home in 2023 so there’s still huge demand for residential property, but there is a shortage of stock in the luxury market.”&nbsp;<h2>Location is key</h2> Like most sections of the residential market, supply has not been able to keep pace with demand.&nbsp;“There is a shortage of stock in the market in general, and there is a shortage of super-prime luxury apartments. The term ‘luxury’ is used quite a bit, but a product that ticks all the [boxes] for this demographic is quite rare,” van Tuil says.This has translated into sales, according to Lendlease’s Daniel Dugina.&nbsp;“We’ve consistently had strong interest in Sydney’s prime residential market—we’ve already sold more than 50 per cent of apartments in an off-market campaign at One Circular Quay, showing that interest and demand is strong.“We expect this to continue at our One Sydney Harbour and One Circular Quay projects, which are once-in-a-generation opportunities that offer the exclusivity and rarity in landmark CBD locations that prestige buyers are looking for.”This, combined with the seachange/treechange movement throughout Covid means that the super rich are looking ‘out of the box’ for luxury, and Top Spring is looking at other areas of Sydney to bring a differentiated offer to the high end of the market.“We are bringing our luxury development experience to high-growth areas of the Lower North Shore,” says Ma.&nbsp;“The Newlands in St Leonards is our $500-million masterplanned community now under construction, and its three-bedroom park-front terraces and apartments, priced from $2.42 million to more than $3 million, have been snapped up by buyers mostly already living in the Upper and Lower North Shore.“In an area where glass towers dominate, The Newlands really is different, surrounded by parklands and close to the harbour.&nbsp;“With a range of designs offered across five low-rise buildings, this inner-city tree-change attracts everyone from downsizers and families to professionals and first-home buyers.”&nbsp;<div id="1yTuW9mOSCA8OdtibMUgwj"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3dMKFYwyvaJMkNEx5DolGR/ce56f3d849cede8aacfd37ee7bf26209/One_Sydney_Harbour_in_article_2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3dMKFYwyvaJMkNEx5DolGR/ce56f3d849cede8aacfd37ee7bf26209/One_Sydney_Harbour_in_article_2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ One Sydney Harbour is more than 90 per cent sold across all three towers, including the sale of all townhouses and penthouses. </div></div> Ma says that Sydneysiders love Sydney, but there is also a move towards a differentiated product for the high end of the market.“At One Barangaroo Crown Residences, for example, more than 90 per cent of purchasers are Australia-based, mainly Sydney locals, and there are not many international buyers,” says Knight Frank’s van Tuil.“Typically people buying in Sydney already have a real affinity to the city—there was a period where we had a lot of international investment, but with prime and super prime it’s very local.”&nbsp;Top Spring and Lendlease have experienced similar trends.“While there’s always been international interest in the luxury end of the market, what we’ve seen at One Sydney Harbour and One Circular Quay is more than 90 per cent of buyers are local, which tells us that Sydneysiders recognise what an incredible opportunity the developments present,” says Lendlease’s Dugina.&nbsp;“At Ode and Munro House, our buyers have largely been residents of the Eastern Suburbs,” says Top Spring’s Ma.&nbsp;“They are very active, they like to travel and many run successful businesses.“With our developments, they don’t need to compromise on lifestyle yet have an opportunity to downsize from larger homes to a spacious residence like a 219sq m penthouse with three-bedrooms, media room, 111sq m rooftop terrace and views across the harbour.“Many buyers often have holiday homes or secondary residences, so were looking for the convenience of living close to the city in a village atmosphere with the duality of beachside living whenever they wanted.”<div id="2jwlX0VrogANXa6ZtQa8JC"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6IMeg4DIjji7VudU8EOZMm/a7d2a9852e148b80585f133450d68c5d/In-article__39_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6IMeg4DIjji7VudU8EOZMm/a7d2a9852e148b80585f133450d68c5d/In-article__39_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ The interiors of the six-storey Ode development in Double Bay were designed by Alwill Interiors. </div></div> But Sydneysiders are not just sticking with Sydney for luxury.&nbsp;“Interesting, on the back of Covid, what we’re seeing now is co-primaries. People made the decisions to buy and move out [of cities] but now people are maintaining a property in town and a secondary location, and splitting their time more equally between then,” van Tuil says.“This is particularly the case with secondary properties in Northern NSW and the Gold Coast.”&nbsp;<h2>Price still matters</h2> One factor impacting co-primary living is price.&nbsp;According to Knight Franks’ Wealth populations report, to be in the top 1 per cent of earners in Australia, an individual would need to have $5.5 million in individual net wealth—the third highest in the world after Switzerland ($6.6 million) and Monaco ($12.4 million)Despite this wealth, ultra-high net-worth individuals like a bargain.“What makes Australia interesting is that in terms of square meterage, for $US1 million, you get the most for your money on the Gold Coast, which makes places like that attractive for secondary homes,” van Tuil says.“In Sydney, you get 44sq m of luxury internal space with $US1 million, on the Gold Coast, it’s 117sq m for $US1 million.“As a result we’re seeing some migration from Melbourne and Sydney to the Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales.”<div id="6jKeChVC15RIqAUXET5n7j"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5AKJ7hKs5gM1jgztqQAym1/b55d9e88152fdbd101278b7989992337/One_Circular_Quay__In-article.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5AKJ7hKs5gM1jgztqQAym1/b55d9e88152fdbd101278b7989992337/One_Circular_Quay__In-article.jpg"></picture><div>▲ One Circular Quay is a 58-level tower designed by the late award-winning Australian architect Kerry Hill. </div></div> And while trends may come and go, Sydney’s luxury residential market looks more than likely to stay robust.&nbsp;“We are confident in the high-end remaining strong. Sydney’s eastern suburbs are so tightly held and less cyclical in nature, and markets such as Double Bay and Elizabeth Bay tend to be less affected by economic factors such as interest rate rises,” says Ma.&nbsp;“However, we are not complacent, and creating a point of difference is imperative in a tight market.“We believe a well-defined development identity is a key enabler, so we undertake extensive research and work with expert consultants on every aspect, to ensure each project’s story is cohesive and compelling.” <hr> You are currently experiencing&nbsp;The Urban Developer&nbsp;Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

Movement towards coprimary living has not dampened the Sydney luxury residential market, but supply remains an issue…

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As the development sector still navigates the cliff’s edge,&nbsp; Sydney-based Fortis is forging ahead with its Queensland expansion, unveiling plans for a riverfront apartment tower at Brisbane’s inner-city Kangaroo Point.The $100-million tower proposal has been designed to “hover” three levels over a 1197sq m site at 44 O’Connell Street it acquired this year from local architect-developer Joe Adsett.After Adsett’s plans for a 15-storey, 14-apartment tower on the site were given the green light by the Brisbane City Council in October 2021, the narrow battle-axe-shaped property became a NIMBY frontline.The approval was subsequently cancelled in November last year after proceedings were initiated in the Planning and Environment Court over the validity of the council’s decision.Under the new plans filed by Fortis, the go-ahead is being sought for a similar-sized residential tower, which would replace an existing 1960s six-storey block of 13 units.It would comprise a ground-floor lobby and tiered communal recreation area topped with 14 whole-floor three-bedroom apartments, including a penthouse with a private rooftop terrace and pool. Indoor and outdoor resort-style communal amenities would include a lap pool and leisure deck, wellness retreat and landscaped pockets for entertaining, are planned for the tower’s base.Three basement levels would provide 46 carparking spaces.According to a submitted planning report, the proposed 15-storey building height and site cover of 44.9 per cent meet code assessable requirements.As well, it noted setbacks and building separation “achieve wider dimensions than the previous approval” but, without strict compliance with the 6m to side boundaries, performance outcomes were being sought.“Paying homage to the natural beauty and earthy tones of the Kangaroo Point cliffs ... the building’s profile is slender and will introduce a dynamic experience to the Kangaroo Point skyline,” the report said.<div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-06-01T132055.132.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3lxBkko1fzjAqZ9L1TISDD/0e710d0824b3f84916edaef2a9be1e49/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-01T132055.132.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3lxBkko1fzjAqZ9L1TISDD/0e710d0824b3f84916edaef2a9be1e49/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-01T132055.132.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-06-01T132021.212.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4kaatYAuF4UI6gSz9IcabC/8c775f3362edb9877316eb7f0ea5aebb/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-01T132021.212.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4kaatYAuF4UI6gSz9IcabC/8c775f3362edb9877316eb7f0ea5aebb/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-01T132021.212.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-06-01T132122.378.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7KlyCKHhVShJQ7t9jl0O4V/ce0f1af4f2b85f0feab964d666b93715/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-01T132122.378.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7KlyCKHhVShJQ7t9jl0O4V/ce0f1af4f2b85f0feab964d666b93715/Untitled_design_-_2023-06-01T132122.378.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div> Access to the site is via a 50m single-lane driveway with a “signalised system” proposed to facilitate safe and efficient movement of vehicles in and out of the property.“The site’s pronounced topographical decline demands a specialised planning solution that prioritises pedestrian access and connections to the Brisbane River, both visually and physically,” the report said.It said the proposal provided an innovative, contemporary and functional design outcome that would “exude elegance and establish a harmonious connection with its surrounds”.“The proposal represents a modern and sophisticated design that is emblematic of Kangaroo Point and high end riverside living that has become increasingly popular in Brisbane’s inner located suburbs,” the report said.It concluded: “The proposed 15 storey built form is consistent and complementary with the area’s local character and reflective of the existing scale and massing present within this section of the Kangaroo Point precinct.”Plus Architecture designed the latest scheme—dubbed O’Connell—to “align with a luxurious riverside lifestyle” as well as “replicate the terrestrial makeup of its context at Kangaroo Point and emphasise the historical significance of the area”.“Our design seamlessly connects to the river, creating a welcoming atmosphere,” its design statement said. “The building hovers three levels over [the site] offering an impressive focal point from the river and an expansive and active undercroft.“The design incorporates panoramic views of the scenic New Farm area and the serene Brisbane River, fostering a strong connection to nature.”In 2021, developer Pikos Property Group was granted approval—with conditions, including a reduction in apartments—by the&nbsp; Planning and Environment Court to build <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/pikos-kangaroo-point-triple-towers-approved" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/pikos-kangaroo-point-triple-towers-approved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three 15-storey towers on a 5284sq m site at 108 Lambert St, Kangaroo Point</a>.The decision followed the Brisbane City Council rejecting the development application after community backlash over the height of the towers.

Plans have been filed for a $100-million residential tower designed to “hover” three levels over a NIMBY stronghold on Brisbane's riverfront...

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Major players are moving in on Brisbane greenfield sites that three years ago they wouldn’t have looked at twice.Chapter Two director Oliver Bagheri, who will present at The Urban Developer’s <a data-mce-href="https://web.cvent.com/event/7f31abf7-09ca-4622-9f4b-dde75c44182b/summary?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ" href="https://web.cvent.com/event/7f31abf7-09ca-4622-9f4b-dde75c44182b/summary?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brisbane Residential Summit on June 8</a>, said that the dearth of land was causing seismic changes in the residential development sector, especially at the smaller end.“If you look at a map of South-East Queensland, it appears as though there’s large concentrations of developable land which may easily service demands of the expected population growth over the next 10, 20 or 50 years.&nbsp;“The reality is that it’s not readily developable—this land is limited by planning scheme overlays, environmental corridors or physical constraints.”The pandemic also accelerated supply challenges as Brisbane became an attractive market for developers, buyers and sellers.“As we transitioned through the various waves of Covid, it became evident there was a clear uptick in transaction volumes,” Bagheri said.“Initially we observed this at the retail purchaser level, which when compounded with investor demand resulted in larger numbers of site acquisitions than pre-covid”“But both segments of the market were underpinned by a wave of capital from privates and institutions domiciled here and offshore.”This brings us to the challenging situation we are in today.&nbsp;“Institutional developers are now considering smaller greenfield community options than they usually would, as well as opportunities further afield, because they are finding it much harder to identify and purchase large sites,” said Bagheri.“The smaller end of the market where Chapter Two operates is now also being fiercely contested by larger well established private developers.“Once upon a time, the larger established developers wouldn’t bother looking at anything under, say, 50 lots. Fast forward to now, we see them regularly pursuing opportunities of under 50 lots and sometimes as small as 15 lots, offering vendors unbeatable pricing and terms.“In some cases, we even share similar capital bases with our competitors and are competing for the same sites.”&nbsp;<div id="32DSKaKx8QMCHFt9xH4QxI"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3hjuDhwHgS0TpuCCsgfVdP/ce0a13c3a1b0106f6671dc5aa0dc3c80/Brisbane_Resi_In-article__39_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3hjuDhwHgS0TpuCCsgfVdP/ce0a13c3a1b0106f6671dc5aa0dc3c80/Brisbane_Resi_In-article__39_.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Chapter Two director Oliver Bagheri says smaller developers are prepared for the challenges posed by the dearth of greenfield land in Brisbane. </div></div>Compounded with labour shortages, high construction costs and long approval times, it is a tricky situation for developers, especially those at the smaller end, to traverse.&nbsp;“It’s a perfect storm – quite simply developable land is scarce”.&nbsp;“Brisbane has benefitted from being a ‘village town’, which it is no longer and we’re on the trail to the Olympics—its value proposition has become very clear, and this is creating a highly competitive market.”&nbsp;But smaller developers can focus on planning and preparation to ensure they have a strong position going forward.“In terms of forecasting, we’re focusing on working closely with our project teams to ensure we can move swiftly when site opportunities materialise”“We’re spending much of our time engaging with our project team as early and as often as possible in an attempt to analyse opportunities quickly and pierce through the market noise, understanding that Brisbane’s value proposition is very strong.”<hr> The Urban Developer&nbsp;Brisbane Residential Developer Summit&nbsp;will take place in&nbsp;Brisbane&nbsp;on&nbsp;Thursday, June 8. The summit will also offer premium networking opportunities that will allow attendees to connect with like-minded professionals, industry leaders, and potential partners. &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://cvent.me/KLxeKl?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://cvent.me/KLxeKl?rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ">Click here to learn more and to register.</a>

Competition will only increase as major players look to lucrative but limited Brisbane greenfield development for growth…


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