There arguably hasn’t been as much national—or even international—fanfare for a Gold Coast apartment development as there has been for the recent launch of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/pescado-palm-beach-228-230-jefferson-lane-palm-beach-qld-4221">Pescado</a> in Palm Beach.

The project is being undertaken by international DJ Paul Fisher and his wife Chloe. The couple, who have just launched YLB Property Development, intend to make the two-level penthouse their base when they’re back in Australia.

The remaining six levels will each comprise a full-floor apartment, set behind a striking curved facade by locals BDA Architecture.

Beyond the fanfare of the launch, genuine interest in the apartments has been strong, according to <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a> Managing Director Jayde Pezet.

"Buyers may have been alerted to the project because of the broader-than-usual media coverage it received at launch, but genuine buyers look beyond that and recognise the level of finish and detail," Pezet says.

While enquiries have come from both local and interstate buyers, it's locals who are showing the most interest.

"Everyone on the Gold Coast loves Palm Beach, and Jefferson Lane is the best street in the suburb," Pezet says.

I recently caught up with Jayde to discuss the project in more detail.

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“With this project being so important to Paul and Chloe, and being what they refer to as their forever home, they’ve looked at it and gone, ‘We are going to make this project within code.’”

The result is a low-density, high-amenity development that emphasises lifestyle and spatial quality rather than volume.

Each of the six full-floor residences spans around 325 sqm and have three bedrooms, an MPR, ocean-facing balconies, and interiors inspired by the Fishers' global travels.

All residences have access to a suite of wellness-focused communal spaces, including a pool, gym, and cold plunge facilities - features reflective of the Fishers’ personal lifestyle, which Pezet describes as “heavily wellness-oriented.”

“They're both incredibly into wellness - they eat super clean, they exercise, they ice bath - and you'll see that as a reflection in the project's amenity but also in the way they live their life,” he said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149651 project_image_fid=342046]

With prices ranging from $5.25 million to $7.1 million, Pescado is targeting a narrow but clearly defined buyer pool.

"We've still had an incredible amount of interest from baby boomers, but there have been younger people that have been inquiring also," said Pezet.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149651]

Each of the six full-floor residences spans around 325 sqm and have three bedrooms, an MPR, ocean-facing balconies, and interiors inspired by the Fishers' global travels

Michael Bird

A "passion project" not to be repeated: Inside DJ Fisher's Pescado Palm Beach with Jayde Pezet

South East Queensland builder-developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG) is creating a new mixed-use village in its native Nundah, a suburb they’ve called home for decades.

Close to their heart, GVG called on community feedback during the planning and design phase of what will not only be a rare opportunity to live in a brand new apartment with doorstep retail and hospitality venues, but also their future home, as they plan to relocate their current Union Street office into the development.

The new project, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/danby-lane-nundah-village-5-danby-lane-nundah-qld-4012">Danby Lane</a>, named after its location just across from Nundah Village shopping mall, will bring 84 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments to the heart of Nundah.

To find out more about Danby Lane, I caught up with GVG Director Sam Gardner to chat about the project.

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From the outset, Gardner made it clear that Danby Lane was about more than bricks and mortar — it was about trust.

“Nundah’s probably got one of the strongest communities we've ever encountered,” Gardner said. “They like to be included or brought along on the journey of things like this.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320117]

Gardner described a three-year process of community engagement prior to construction, including face-to-face consultations and on-site information stalls.

“There is and remains a negative connotation behind development,” Gardner said. “There is this sense that the developer is bullying their way in, taking a piece of land and making a huge amount of profit on it. We really wanted to change that perception in Nundah.”

It’s a strategy that appears to have worked. While Nundah residents have previously voiced strong opposition to new developments in the area, Danby Lane progressed with community support.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=340186]

&nbsp;

“We're quite proud that we've become the builder-developer of choice in Nundah,” Gardner said. “Our headquarters is currently in another building we developed 10 years ago.”

At street level, Danby Lane will include six retail and commercial tenancies. GVG is actively working to attract operators that will complement the existing neighbourhood offer.

“One of the main things we target in these sites is the walkability score, the convenience,” Gardner said. “We are doing a lot of work in the design of the retail space at the bottom of Danby to get some more slow-down restaurants included.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=320114]

This aligns with broader trends in suburban intensification, where residential density is paired with retail amenity and improved public interface.

With 84 residential apartments atop two levels of commercial and retail space, Danby Lane is designed with a mix of buyers in mind.

GVG reports interest from a range of buyer groups, particularly downsizers and local residents seeking to remain in the area without the upkeep of a standalone home.

“We're looking at people who don't necessarily want to move out of the area that they love,” Gardner said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=340133]

The location is also attracting buyers who travel frequently.

“Being in between the Brisbane CBD and the airport really has a good opportunity there to target people who travel a lot. We have received a number of leads and people interested in buying for that reason,” he noted.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112531 project_image_fid=340194]

Danby Lane marks the latest in a series of developments by Gardner Vaughan Group across South East Queensland.

Construction of Danby Lane is now underway, with completion anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112531]

From the outset, GVG Director Sam Gardner made it clear that Danby Lane was about more than bricks and mortar — it was about trust.

Why Danby Lane in Nundah is more than just a project for Gardner Vaughan Group: Five minutes with Sam Gardner

Brisbane’s James Street is set to welcome a transformative new addition with the arrival of James Place - a landmark mixed-use development from leading Queensland developer, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/forme?referrer=Forme">Forme</a>.

Acclaimed architects Richards &amp; Spence have designed the new commercial and retail precinct set for 75-85 James Street, where construction recently kicked off through Graya.

James Place will home&nbsp;over 8,700 sqm of premium boutique retail, hospitality, wellness, commercial office space, and an elevated rooftop venue with sweeping city views.

The six-level architectural statement will house flagship fashion labels, celebrated restaurants, and next-generation workplace environments, anchored by a lush, light-filled central plaza designed to foster community and connection.

<img alt="James Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fbbf9903-e6e6-42a0-9322-606cef3892b3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-06-05%20at%205.17.01%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FvGjD8UFQWyOp.e4nw.lEMd7_rGiC89D" />

“James Place is a considered evolution of James Street - crafted to enhance the precinct’s unique rhythm and character,” said David Calvisi, Managing Director of Forme.

“We are redefining design excellence - creating a space that is both timeless and innovative. Our vision is to extend the iconic aesthetic of James Street, with every detail reflecting our commitment to quality and our reputation for delivering exceptional projects.”

<img alt="James Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="46727ede-fb10-4754-9dd2-9a076c3cd700" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-06-05%20at%205.17.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=OLdbO6OUgfJAhrlJTut2rUw27cPLl8_o" />

With dual street frontages, landscaped laneways, and an integrated streetscape, James Place invites discovery at every turn. Forme will retain an ongoing curatorial role in the precinct’s operation, ensuring its tenant mix remains best-in-class and continues to reflect the culture and sophistication of the James Street community.

The precinct is already&nbsp;attracting national interest from leading retail and commercial tenants.&nbsp;James Place is now under construction, with completion expected by late 2026.

Forme is well known for creating two of Burleigh Heads' landmark apartment developments. Both <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/luna-50-goodwin-terrace-burleigh-heads">Luna</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/norfolk-burleigh-heads-46-goodwin-terrace-burleigh-heads">Norfolk</a>, on the dress circle Goodwin Terrace, were among some of the first Gold Coast buildings designed by legendary Japanese architect Koichi Takada, and have each won a string of awards.

They also have an upcoming mixed-use project on <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/31-doggett-street-teneriffe">Teneriffe's Doggett Street</a>, just 18 apartments in a six-level building with retail and office space.

The precinct is already attracting national interest from leading retail and commercial tenants

Joel Robinson

James Place to bring new life to Fortitude Valley’s James Street precinct

Developer Tian An has quickly sold around a quarter of the apartments on offer at its recently launched North Village apartment development, the second stage of its successful Auburn Square precinct.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/north-village-auburn-square-35-northumberland-road-auburn-nsw-2144">North Village</a>, located opposite the first completed and sold-out stage of Auburn Square and just a short walk to the centre of Auburn, will deliver 264 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with prices starting from $525,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149184 project_image_fid=324853]

It is the only new development in Auburn to offer the sought-after Latent Defects Insurance by Resilience Insurance. This insurance provides buyers with up to 10 years of coverage for any structural or waterproofing issues—not just in the building and common areas, but also within their individual apartments. It’s the most rigorous insurance available to developers, giving buyers genuine peace of mind when purchasing off the plan.

Ray White WS Projects Managing Director Mark Bernberg says buyers have been waiting for the opportunity to purchase a brand new apartment ever since the first stage sold out.

"We are just two minutes from the train station and 20 minutes to the CBD. With Auburn Central offering a range of retailers—and Coles taking the entire ground floor of North Village—now is one of the best times for those looking for a brand new apartment in Auburn to enter the market," Bernberg says.

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Bernberg has sold apartments to all types of buyers; however, the main demographics have been first home buyers and young professionals.

Designed by renowned architecture firm <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman" target="">Rothelowman</a>, North Village marks only their second residential project in the area, following the first stage of Auburn Square. Rothelowman is nationally recognised for designing some of Australia’s most iconic apartment buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149184 project_image_fid=324852]

Gold Star, iCIRT-rated builder Binah has already cleared the site and is preparing to break ground, with targeted completion set for Q4 2027.

North Village will feature smart home technology-enabled apartments and shared resident amenities, including a gym, cinema, and landscaped rooftop garden.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149184]

Gold Star, iCIRT-rated builder Binah has already cleared the site and is preparing to break ground, with targeted completion set for Q4 2027

Tian An quickly sells 25% of apartments in North Village, Auburn, following successful launch

As investment in Melbourne’s west accelerates, the Sunshine Precinct is emerging as a key node in Victoria’s long-term urban growth strategy.

Backed by more than $20 billion in public infrastructure projects, this historically working-class area is being quietly repositioned as a future metropolitan centre - one that may reshape how Melbourne’s west grows over the next three decades.

<h2>Strategic repositioning through transport infrastructure</h2>

At the centre of this transformation is Sunshine’s evolving role as a major transport interchange. A series of significant rail upgrades - most notably the Melbourne Airport Rail link - will establish Sunshine Station as a primary hub connecting regional Victoria, the western suburbs, and Melbourne Airport to the CBD.

Currently underway, the Melbourne Airport Rail project will deliver a 30-minute connection between the city and the airport, with Sunshine Station acting as a key transfer point. As part of this, Sunshine is being redeveloped into a transport “superhub”, including new regional platforms, extended concourses, track realignments, and improved signalling infrastructure.

This network shift, supported by complementary projects like the Sunbury Line Upgrade and Metro Tunnel, positions Sunshine at the crossroads of future movement patterns - both within the metropolitan area and beyond.

<h2>Growth Areas: Housing, Jobs and Urban Structure</h2>

Urban growth forecasts model significant shifts in the Sunshine Precinct’s population and job capacity over the next 25 years. According to Victorian Government estimates, the area could support:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">70,000 dwellings by 2051, up from 16,000 in 2021</li>
	<li aria-level="1">45,000 residents, compared to today’s estimated 27,000</li>
	<li aria-level="1">26,000 jobs, more than doubling the current base of 10,000</li>
</ul>

Importantly, this growth is concentrated around three primary nodes:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Sunshine Station Precinct – envisioned as a mixed-use transit hub with commercial, civic and high-density residential development.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Albion Quarter – a large redevelopment area surrounding the rebuilt Albion Station, planned to accommodate a mix of employment land and infill housing.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Sunshine CBD – a civic and educational centre that includes Victoria University and Sunshine Hospital, with potential for further office-based employment growth.</li>
</ul>

These zones are positioned to support medium-to-high-density outcomes over time, particularly in response to housing supply pressures and the increasing viability of transit-oriented development in Melbourne’s middle suburbs.

<h2>Public Realm and Amenity Improvements</h2>

Complementing the transport infrastructure is a suite of urban realm projects aimed at improving the liveability and walkability of Sunshine.

The Sunshine Station Masterplan, supported by $143 million in government funding, outlines improvements such as:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">A new plaza and bus interchange at Station Place</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Shared user paths and landscaped public open space</li>
	<li aria-level="1">A new development site adjacent to the station</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Improved pedestrian connections across the rail corridor</li>
</ul>

Further north, the Albion Quarter Structure Plan is being prepared to support the transition of underutilised industrial land to mixed-use zones, with an emphasis on proximity to public transport and community infrastructure.

Meanwhile, early-stage planning is underway to revitalise Stony Creek, a concrete-lined drainage corridor, into a more ecologically integrated and accessible green space that could serve both flood management and recreational purposes.

<h2>Market and Investment&nbsp;</h2>

Although Sunshine has seen incremental renewal in recent years, particularly within its CBD and civic precincts, its broader built form remains relatively low in scale. Large parcels of land, legacy industrial uses, and fragmented development patterns have historically limited significant private investment.

However, that equation is beginning to change. Government-led infrastructure is laying the groundwork for long-term uplift in land values and development feasibility, particularly for medium- and high-density residential and mixed-use projects within walking distance of key transit points.

The opportunity, for now, lies in the early timing of intervention. As has occurred in precincts like Box Hill and Footscray, public sector certainty around infrastructure often precedes a wave of private-sector response. Sunshine’s relatively flat topography, proximity to established institutions, and substantial redevelopment sites give it a similar potential trajectory.

<h2>New housing opportunities</h2>

Well positioned to take advantage of the future growth in Sunshine is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/luma-sunshine-north-247-st-albans-road-sunshine-north-vic-3020">LUMA</a>, a vibrant new community by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/development-victoria">Development Victoria</a> - the Victorian Government’s property developer.

Located halfway between Ginifer and Albion Stations and near the upcoming Sunshine Precinct infrastructure, LUMA Sunshine North will feature over 300 townhouses, with Melbourne-based SAW Constructions delivering the first two stages of the development.&nbsp;

The first stage of LUMA has delivered 86 homes, with all residents now moved in and enjoying all that the area has to offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27783 project_image_fid=350574]

More than 3,600 sqm of open space has already been created at the newly opened Willowbark Park which features a playground, BBQs and picnic areas, enhancing liveability and local connection.&nbsp;

A direct connection to the Stony Creek pedestrian path network has also been integrated, seamlessly extending this key link and encouraging active travel both within the site and beyond. A future bridge over Stony Creek will directly link the new community with the existing residential area to the east, improving east–west connectivity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27783 project_image_fid=255556]

Development Victoria has recently started construction on Stage two - a mix of 85 two, three, and four-bedroom townhouses to suit a range of households and budgets, from first home buyers and investors to young families and downsizers.

Homes at LUMA are designed with a focus on sustainability and are all-electric, featuring solar PV double-glazed windows, and a minimum 7-star <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/what-is-a-nathers-rating-in-new-off-the-plan-apartment-developments">NatHERS</a> energy rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27783 project_image_fid=96896]

Development Victoria is a government agency partnering with industry and communities to create sustainable, liveable places for people. They unlock underutilised land to deliver housing across Victoria, from house and land communities in Officer and Springvale, to mixed-use precincts in Fitzroy and Kew. They build a variety of homes and communities where people can thrive while catering to different budgets, lifestyles and needs so that more people can live where they want to be at prices they can afford.

Stage two of LUMA is now selling and is due for settlement next year. Buyers can secure a home with a 2.5% upfront deposit, and receive a $10k discount on the full price of the homes until June 30.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=27783]

Well positioned to take advantage of the future growth in Sunshine is LUMA, a vibrant new community by Development Victoria - the Victorian Government’s property developer

Weekly Podcast: Episode 27 - CHT Architects discuss Melbourne's changing apartment landscape

Laurence Dragomir

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