The property market in Melbourne continues to face downward pressure, now falling behind the likes of Adelaide and Perth for median dwelling value.

Melbourne unit values declined a modest -0.1 per cent over August, while houses dropped -0.2 per cent.

On the face of it, they aren't huge declines. The issue is the pace that other capital cities are growing at. Brisbane is closer to two per cent growth in units, and arguably doesn't have as much of a supply issue as Melbourne.

Questions are being asked as to whether <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic">Melbourne</a>&nbsp;now represents a great opportunity for buyers, because the market will turn at some point in the not too distant future, it's more a matter of when than if it will turn.

It's the first time since 2015 the Melbourne median dwelling value has slipped behind Perth, when the latter was just coming off the highs of an iron ore boom.

CoreLogic's 40-year median dwelling value series hasn't seen Adelaide with a higher median than Melbourne.

Values are skewed however slightly, given a third of Melbourne homes are units, compared to around 16 per cent homes in Perth and Adelaide.

CoreLogic Research Director, Eliza Owen, said there are a wide range of factors contributing to Melbourne's softer market conditions.

"The increased tax burden on investment property owners in Victoria, but it's not the only factor at play," Owen said.

"Supply is also a big factor for Victoria, where the state saw more dwelling completions over the past decade than any other state of territory."

<h2>What happened in Melbourne’s off the plan apartment market in August?</h2>

August was a quiet month in Melbourne's off the plan apartment market, with no new developments of note for buyers to enquire on.

Plenty of developers however are starting to line up their pipeline for the start of 2025.

One of the most exciting projects coming up is the $1.2 billion mixed-use precinct by Salvo for Melbourne's Pentridge Prison in Coburg.

The Melbourne developer is the latest to reveal plans for the southern portion of the former prison that ceased operations in 1997.

<img alt="Salvo plans $1.2 billion mixed-use redevelopment of Coburg's Pentridge Prison" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Pentridge%20Village_Ned%20Kelly%20Easement.png?VersionId=ROz.FE6zEoy3XjlQN__CZajv7YY2gC7j" />

The proposed development will include heritage preservation elements, such as Ned Kelly’s grave site and the bluestone F Division building, providing a mix of retail and public spaces while reflecting <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/coburg-vic">Coburg</a>’s character.

Pentridge Coburg is part of Salvo’s $3 billion development pipeline, which includes a $1 billion four-tower, mixed-use development at Fisherman’s Bend and Moray House, a $220 million multi-residential development in Southbank.&nbsp;

There were also noteworthy submissions in some of Melbourne's most popular inner-city suburbs.

Diversified developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> is pushing forward with plans for a 12-level mixed-use project in Richmond that will see 125 apartments developed above ground-floor retail at 9-15 Brighton Street.

With <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> overseeing design and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo</a> handling landscaping, the project is set to bring another high-quality residential offering to <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a>, a suburb known for its proximity to the CBD and iconic attractions like Chapel Street and the Melbourne Sports Precinct.

<img alt="Goldfields ready new $150 million mixed-use development in Richmond" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Richmond%20Site%202.jpg?VersionId=vxKyRwoFAeVSG58o3XXX7E7KTR3UEbEj" />

Well-known construction firm <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/cobild">Cobild</a> is also planning an inner-city development. Their plans are in Fitzroy where they're proposing a 10-level building at 159-167 Johnston Street.

Dubbed <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/johnston-napier-159-167-johnston-street-fitzroy">Johnston &amp; Napier</a>, the development will deliver 57 large-scale apartments, on average spanning over 130 sqm.

With a strong focus on sustainability, this project aims to accelerate Melbourne's transition towards becoming a self-sufficient city, a trend that continues to gain momentum across the city's new developments.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Cobild plot Johnston St, Fitzroy new apartments" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-08-12%20at%204.11.51%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=JARizOowqxqiKuv.jfzboqLXGWABNF2v" />

There were several strong sales results in August.

Along the coast in Hampton, design-led developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>&nbsp;sold out its six-apartment project, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/58-beach-hampton-58-beach-road-hampton">58 Beach</a>.&nbsp;

Designed to cater to downsizers, the development, with unobstructed views of the beach and a prime location near Hampton Station, has been particularly appealing to those transitioning from larger family homes.

In Melbourne's south-east, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/damgar-group">Damgar Property Group</a>’s <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/rosella-murrumbeena-50-rosella-street-murrumbeena">Rosella</a> apartment project in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/murrumbeena-vic-3163">Murrumbeena</a> continues to perform well, with over half of the 70 apartments already sold.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=142221 project_image_fid=288651]

Situated across from Hughesdale Station and Village, the Rosella development provides a rare opportunity to buy new in this tightly held suburb, where only 100 new apartments were delivered between the 2016 and 2021 census.

For a limited time, Damgar is accepting five per cent deposits on a handful of the one and two-bedroom apartments on offer in the Cera Stribley-designed building.

August was a quiet month in Melbourne's off the plan apartment market, with no new developments of note for buyers to enquire on

Joel Robinson

City Beat September 2024: Melbourne property market hovering around the bottom

Developer CPDM has timed its entry into the Castle Hill apartment market well, with heightened demand not being matched by supply.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> has been booming since the announcement of the $3 billion redevelopment of the Showground Precinct. Now adding fuel to the fire is the newly opened Metro line which takes Castle Hill residents to the city in less than 30 minutes.

CPDM has recently launched <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/larool-crescent-castle-hill-2-22-larool-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Larool Crescent</a>, on the edge of the rejuvenated Castle Towers Shopping Centre, which is slated for a further $550 million redevelopment that will become yet another lifestyle hub for Castle Hill.

Larool Crescent consists of five low-rise buildings and features homes ranging from one to four bedrooms, catering to a broad mix of residents, from young professionals to growing families and downsizers.&nbsp;

We recently visited the display suite at 26 Hume Avenue to explore this development further and learn more about what Larool Crescent has to offer.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qrbcIbGD1KI?si=f2n-ZKSwIcc3vL7D" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Designed around a central courtyard, the residences by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW Architects</a>&nbsp;have an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living.

The skyhomes, with their internal lifts and rooftop terraces, are perfect for those who appreciate grand-scale entertaining and expansive tree canopy views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135330 project_image_fid=289164]

The four-bedroom townhomes offer house-sized proportions while remaining low-maintenance compared to a family home.

Larool Crescent is ideally located near Castle Towers, a major retail hub undergoing a $568 million upgrade to include new retail, hospitality, and office spaces.&nbsp;

CPDM has also taken out Resilience Insurance's sought-after <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/what-is-latent-defects-insurance-and-is-it-bringing-confidence-to-the-off-the-plan-apartment-market">10-year Latent Defects Insurance</a> policy which protects off the plan buyers from any costs associated with structural defects of the building for 10 years after its completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135330]

We recently visited the display suite at 26 Hume Avenue to explore this development further and learn more about what Larool Crescent has to offer.

Inside Larool Crescent apartments: Urban's Display Suite Tour of Castle Hill''s newest apartment development

Unit growth in Australia's most expensive capital continued to dominate over the house market as&nbsp;

The value of units, which incorporates apartments and townhouses, grew by 0.5 per cent over August, CoreLogic's Monthly Index found, compared to 0.3 per cent of houses.

The general trend across capital cities is the strength in the unit market, with every capital city unit market outperforming its house counterpart in August.

"The ongoing outperformance of ‘cheaper’ markets reiterates a strain on demand," CoreLogic's Head of Resarch, Tim Lawless, noted.

"The lower quartile of the combined capital city market, which makes up the most affordable 25 per cent of dwellings, rose 2.7 per cent in the three months to August, compared to a 0.3 per cent lift across the upper quartile.

"In a similar demonstration of demand being deflected towards lower price points, the quarterly change in unit values was higher than houses in five of the eight capital cities."

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a> was not one of the cities however that had stronger rolling quarterly unit growth. Unit values have risen 0.7 per cent over the last three months, compared to 0.8 per cent for houses.

Sydney's median house value remains the highest in the country at $1.4 million, while the median unit value reached $859,000.

<h2>What happened in Sydney’s off the plan apartment market in August?</h2>

There was considerable strength in the more affordable end of the off the plan apartment market in August, although sales continued to flow at the top end too.

CBRE took 40 deposits on the opening launch of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-657-661-victoria-road-melrose-park-nsw-2214">Melrose Central</a>, the joint venture between <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/payce-consolidated-limited">PAYCE</a>&nbsp;and the heart of the Melrose Park urban renewal project. The following week they took over 10 more reservations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289894]

CBRE Residential Project Managing Director, David Milton, says Melrose Central represents great value for buyers.

"Our two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments are priced under $1 million. If you go to any of the neighbouring suburbs, you can't get that kind of value," Milton suggests.

Milton says the buyer pool has been diverse, with first home buyers, local owner-occupiers, and even investors purchasing.

Melrose Central will comprise around 500 apartments above 30,000 sqm of retail and commercial space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289882]

Deicorp had similar success at their debut Rhodes apartment development, Marquet &amp; Mary.

They secured a record two-bedroom apartment sale for Rhodes, with an 87 sqm apartment on the 30-th level of the 32-level tower selling for $1.72 million.

The price was driven both by the track record that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/deicorp" target="">Deicorp</a>&nbsp;is bringing to Rhodes, and the sweeping views the apartment will offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141515 project_image_fid=287866]

Interest in the project has been high since the unveiling of its display suite at suite 803/5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, less than 300 metres from the site of the development at 1-9 Marquet Street.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/marquet-mary-rhodes-1-9-marquet-street-rhodes-nsw-2138">Marquet &amp; Mary</a>&nbsp;offers a total of 212 apartments in a building designed by popular architect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/fender-katsalidis-architects">Fender Katsalidis</a>&nbsp;who were appointed after winning a design excellence competition last year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141515 project_image_fid=287865]

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> landed a record week of sales at its recently completed <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney">AURA by Aqualand</a> development in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a>.

The $40 million in sales was a North Shore record.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

The luxury Walker Street building, less than 200 metres from the Victoria Cross Metro Station, was officially completed in late June, with buyers steadily moving into the Woods Bagot-designed building.

Aqualand expects to break the record again in the coming weeks as sales momentum continues to ramp up. They saw over $100 million in sales in February 2024, the most in a single month since the North Sydney tower was launched in December 2021.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/twt-property-group" target="">TWT Property Group</a>&nbsp;brought some new supply to the market in August, releasing the first stage of apartments in its 1.3-hectare Crows Nest masterplan, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-collective-crows-nest-23-35-atchison-st-crows-nest">The Collective</a>.

The first stage will introduce 93 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on the cusp of Crows Nest Village, a short walk from Crows Nest Metro which will no doubt draw buyers who want easy access to the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94318 project_image_fid=293323]

The first stage of the master plan will feature 3,000 sqm of commercial space, part of the 10,000 sqm of commercial space that will be on offer across the suburb-shaping development.

TWT&nbsp;has already appointed Westbourne Constructions to build the first stage of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-collective-st-leonards-23-35-atchison-st-st-leonards">The Collective</a>. Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94318 project_image_fid=293324]

There was new supply in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, where there hadn't been a new development launched in the indemand suburb for around 18 months.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/larool-crescent-castle-hill-2-22-larool-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Larool Crescent</a>, named after its location on the fringe of the rejuvenated Castle Towers shopping centre, comprises 110 apartments and townhouses across four, filve-level low-rise buildings, a building type not commonly found in new projects in the area.

The buildings have been designed by PTW to wrap around a central courtyard with extensive landscaping.

There will be one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on offer, as well as a handful of large townhouses.

Boston Buckler Principal, Alex Walker, said the residences are&nbsp;"tailor-made for owner-occupiers," with designs catering to first home buyers, downsizers, and young families.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135330 project_image_fid=289164]

Elsewhere across Sydney, builder developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/aland">ALAND</a> officially opened its new Parramatta building, Paramount on Parkes, while also topping out Archibald by ALAND in Gosford.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/paramount-on-parkes-14-20-parkes-street-harris-park">Paramount on Parkes</a> comprises 331 apartments in a 46-level tower, alongside 3,000 sqm of commercial space.&nbsp;

The development was praised for its contribution to meeting Parramatta’s growing housing demands, with local officials highlighting its importance to the city’s future growth.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9187 project_image_fid=278982]

ALAND, founded by Andrew Hrsto over two decades ago, topped out the tallest of the two towers at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/archibald-by-aland-108-donnison-street-gosford">Archibald by ALAND</a>, their first foray into the Gosford market.

The mixed-use development, with both apartments, a hotel and extensive retail, is another suburb redefining development for ALAND.

It will bring the first VOCO Hotel to Gosford, as well as&nbsp;327 apartments and six hospitality venues, including the Central Coast’s highest rooftop bar.

Over 95 per cent of the apartments in the development have already sold, marking the project one of the most successful across Greater Sydney for several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134670 project_image_fid=215487]

Looking ahead, Fortis filed plans for another boutique development in Rose Bay.

Earlier this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a>, the development arm of financier and investment manager Pallas Group, snapped up a prime&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/10-12-ian-street-rose-bay">double site on Ian Street</a>, just two rows back from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/rose-bay-nsw-2029">Rose Bay</a>&nbsp;Beach.

They're planning a $16.5 million development, continuing their push into in supplying new apartments to downsizers in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. There is just one two-bedroom apartment planned and 11 three-bedroom apartments across the low-rise, five-level building designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/mhn-design-union">MHN Design Union</a>.

The submission comes as Fortis prepares to take the wraps of Atlas, its current Rose Bay development.

<img alt="Fortis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1abf78da-c78e-4f84-8ca5-b2eb6c28f471" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-09-10%20at%201.58.24%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=HYQh9MQhHlvbpXFVu0ehpxMo_bqHEFTP" />

August saw the partnership revealed between prominent Wollongong developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/level-33">Level 33</a> announced and community affordable housing provider,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/city-west-housing-pty-ltd" target="">City West Housing</a>,&nbsp;to bring a much-needed influx of apartments to the growing coastal city.

They've proposed just over 900 apartments in a State Significant Development, of which around 220 will be affordable.

The leaves nearly 700 apartments that will hit the traditional off the plan apartment market in the coming years, pending NSW Government approval.

The 30,130 sqm site&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/60-74-flinders-street-wollongong">intersection of Gipps and Flinders Streets</a>&nbsp;is currently occupied by an old Bunnings Warehouse which ceased trading at the start of 2023, as well as extensive car parking space and a small brick building.

<img alt="Level 33" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2454937-2542-4248-bd88-81c8defe4f80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-09-10%20at%201.59.33%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=7OlRmtXUINGi7ZELXqAdmY14_SoBjV1n" />

The apartments, will be spread across five mixed-use buildings, ranging in height from seven to 13 levels.

The ground floor of the buildings will be&nbsp;dedicated to business and retail spaces, takeaway food premises, specialised retail, and a gallery. The proposal also includes two levels of basement parking, with vehicle access from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/throsby-act" target="">Throsby</a>&nbsp;Drive and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/48-50-gipps-street-collingwood" target="">Gipps Street</a>.

The project will be constructed in stages, beginning with Buildings 4 and 5, the latter of which will house the affordable apartments.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-exclusive-level-33-to-team-up-with-city-west-housing-for-over-900-new-wollongong-apartments">First look exclusive: Level 33 to team up with City West Housing for over 900 new Wollongong apartments</a>

There was considerable strength in the more affordable end of the off the plan apartment market in August, although sales continued to flow at the top end too.

City Beat September 2024: Sydney unit growth continues to outpace houses

Sydney's ongoing transformation into a metro-driven city is having a significant impact on the real estate market.

The expansion of the Sydney Metro network, which will eventually include four lines, 46 stations, and 113 kilometres of rail by 2030, is not just changing how people move around the city, but also driving price growth and altering the demographics of the suburbs along its routes.

Suburbs near metro stations have experienced a population surge of 23 per cent over the past decade, almost double the growth seen in suburbs further away from the metro lines.

The increased density has been accompanied by a shift towards apartment living, with nearly half of the residents in these areas now living in apartments.

The demand for apartments is particularly strong in regions like the Hills District, Lower North Shore, CBD, and Canterbury Bankstown, where there is a need for about 9,000 new units annually.

Data from CBRE and PropTrack found that over the past decade, suburbs along the metro line have seen a 49 per cent increase in capital value, outperforming suburbs further out by five per cent.

They cited that the value of property in Castle Hill has grown by 72 per cent, compared to 49 per cent in the neighbouring Baulkham Hills.&nbsp; It was the same story in Crows Nest, which had 79 per cent compared to Camerray's 62 per cent.

"Enhanced accessibility provided by the metro, potential for additional infrastructure development, increased demand, and possibilities for re-zoning, have all contrinued to an overall increase in dwelling values," the report noted.

The substantial reductions in travel time, in many cases over an hour, has made the&nbsp;metro-line suburbs increasingly attractive to younger residents, particularly Gen Z and Gen Y, who now make up 45 per cent of the population in these areas.

There are several suburbs which are already benefitting extensively from having the Sydney Metro dissecting them.

<h2>Crows Nest</h2>

Residents of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a> both current and future, are among those who are likely t o benefit the most from the new metro, with no train station previously in the small, village-led suburb.

Now it's just seven minutes to Martin Place for commuters. Between Victoria Cross and Chatswood, the Crows Nest Station is perfectly located on the border of Crows Nest and St Leonards.

Developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/twt-property-group">TWT Property Group</a>&nbsp;is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the new connectivity to the city. They've recently launched the first stage of their suburb-defining masterlpan,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-collective-st-leonards-23-35-atchison-st-st-leonards">The Collective</a>.

The first building in the large 1.3-hectare precinct will home 93 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments with interiors by DBI. West Bourne Construction has already started excavation on the Atchison Street site that will also home several food and beverage offerings on the ground floor.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94318 project_image_fid=293323]

No building will be closer to the metro than <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/hume-place-crows-nest-477-491-495-pacific-highway-crows-nest">Hume Place</a>, located directly above Crows Nest Station.

Hume Place, a joint venture between Third.i and Phoenix Property Investors, comprises three buildings designed by Woods Bagot.

<img alt="Hume Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="92cecc05-121d-4549-a671-eff502e34ee2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-09-09%20at%203.37.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iRp_PuRS1hVvM7sUbDB2eiuAgbse.03F" />

Around 131 apartments will be on offer in the trio of buildings that will also home street-level retail and commercial premises.

Crows Nest Station will also be less than one kilometre from Top Spring Australia's The Newlands, opposite Newlands Park in the area now known as "St Leonards South". Ditto Hyecorp's under-construction Audrey, just up the road.

<h2>North Sydney</h2>

The Victoria Cross Station has been one of the most talked about stations as part of the new Metro. It's the first stop under the water from Barangaroo, just three minutes from station to station.

It was the proposed location of the station, just a pipedream back in 2014, that lured luxury Sydney developer Aqualand to North Sydney. They secured a site on Walker St and coincidentally timed the completion of the new luxury development, AURA by Aqualand, at the same time as the opening of Victoria Cross.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292891]

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney">AURA by Aqualand</a> at 168 Walker Street, 200 metres down the road from the McLaren St entrance to Victoria Cross, features 386 apartments across a striking, curved, Woods Bagot-designed tower.

AURA by Aqualand is part of the broader transformation of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> into a new thiving precinct, providing residents with an array of transportation options, green spaces, and cultural amenities. AURA contributes to the evolution, with four world-class hospitality venues in the two-level podium at the foot of the building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292886]

The hospitality on offer ranges from a bakery turned wine bar, a boutique grocer, and two restaurants curated by former Sepia chef Rhy Connell.

<h2>Castle Hill</h2>

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> had a shot in the arm in 2018 when it was announced the underutilized Showground Precinct would be redeveloped and home $3 billlion worth of apartments and infrastructure.

It was a race to the Hills District for several developers, knowing the opportunity was one not to be missed, given the plans for the Metro to run through <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw">Castle Hill</a> to <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/tallawong-nsw-2762">Tallawong</a>. Now it's just 33 minutes from Castle Hill to Barangaroo.

The latest development to launch in Castle Hill is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/larool-crescent-castle-hill-2-22-larool-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Larool Crescent</a>, a rare low-rise building around the corner from the rejuvenated Castle Towers shopping centre.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135330 project_image_fid=289164]

Marketed by Boston Buckler,&nbsp;Larool Crescent comprises&nbsp;110 apartments and townhouses spread across four five-level buildings on its sprawling 8,000 sqm block. The buildings have been designed by PTW to wrap around a central courtyard with extensive landscaping.

There will be one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on offer, as well as a handful of large townhouses, a rarity in new developments in the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135330 project_image_fid=289121]

Boston Buckler Principal, Alex Walker, said the residences are&nbsp;"tailor-made for owner-occupiers," with designs catering to first home buyers, downsizers, and young families.

The interiors of Larool Crescent have been crafted by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, who have focused on combining form with function.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135330 project_image_fid=289119]

"There were certain elements that we put together to achieve warm and clean interiors for this project," Coco Rebuplic's Head of Interior Design, Diana Ribarevksi said.

"Things like the black accents, natural stone in the kitchen, beautiful tactile tiles throughout. All these elements add interest, but also a perfect base for people to bring their own style into the interiors."

The substantial reductions in travel time, in many cases over an hour, has made the metro-line suburbs increasingly attractive to younger residents, particularly Gen Z and Gen Y,

The Sydney suburbs set to benefit the most from the new Sydney Metro

After many years of amalgamating one of the most impressive sites in the Lower North Shore, TWT Property Group has unveiled the first stage of its mixed-use precinct, The Collective.

The development, situated on the border of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a> and just 300 metres from the new Metro station, is aiming to bring a new lifestyle hub to the area, with a mix of apartments as well as extensive commercial and retail tenancies as part of the masterplan

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/twt-property-group">TWT Property Group</a>&nbsp;recently welcomed us to the display suite of the first stage of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-collective-crows-nest-23-35-atchison-st-crows-nest">The Collective</a>&nbsp;which offers a diverse range of apartments, from one-bed units all the way through to large four-bedroom apartments across a 160level building.

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&nbsp;

Residents will benefit from proximity to Crows Nest Village, which includes cafes, Woolworths, and Coles, enhancing the convenience and lifestyle offered by The Collective.

Westbourne Construction has begun excavation, with the off the plan purchasers expected to move into the first building in mid-2026.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94318 project_image_fid=293324]

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/twt-property-group">TWT Property Group</a>&nbsp;has a strong record of delivering quality projects in some of Sydney's best suburbs. They've been behind Grande&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/pyrmont-nsw" target="">Pyrmont</a>&nbsp;Bay Estate, NewLife&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/bondi-junction-nsw" target="">Bondi Junction</a>, NewLife Darling Harbour, and T1 St Leonards.

Belle Property is opening the display suite, onsite at 64 Atchison Street, this weekend, for prospective buyers to get the first chance at buying at what will become the newest lifestyle hub in the Lower North Shore

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=94318]

Westbourne Construction has begun excavation, with the off the plan purchasers expected to move into the first building in mid-2026.

Property Observer publication resumes January 5, 2015

Jonathan Chancellor

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