Mirvac among Sydney developers who've pivoted to virtual appointments during COVID lockdown

The Pavilions display suite is closed at 2 Figtree Drive, Sydney Olympic Park but virtual inspections are underway
Mirvac among Sydney developers who've pivoted to virtual appointments during COVID lockdown
The kitchen's in Pavilions. Image supplied
Jonathan ChancellorJune 24, 2021

Like many other Sydney display suites, the Pavilions display suite is closed.

However the  Mirvac sales office at Sydney Olympic Park is open by virtual appointment due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Buyers have been told the actual sales office is currently closed until Saturday 10th July pending State Government restrictions.

The project has 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments, plus skyhomes and terrace for sale.

The display suite at Portman House, Green Square, Australia’s first residential building to seek WELL v2 certification, is also available via virtual appointment.

At Bondi Junction, the developer Lindsay Bennelong is open but by private appointment only at its Whitton Lane project.

"Due to Covid restrictions only one on one private appointments can be conducted," it has advised.

"Please wear a mask and we adhere to social distancing regulations," it noted.

The Adela, Burwood display suite of Aoyuan International is advised as "closed during lockdown - till further notice."

Meriton advises "due to temporary COVID restrictions private appointments and virtual appointments are now available between 10am – 5pm 7 days a week" at its Pagewood Green Orchid display suite.

Atelier, the Ceerose project at 32 Jarret Street, Leichhardt, advises its buyers that it was "continuing to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation, with the health and well-being of our customers and staff as a top priority."

"To maximise precautions, and in the interest of your safety all inspections have been moved to private appointments. 

"Should you visit there will be some screening questions we’ll need to ask you in addition to practicing safe social distancing guidelines including observing a distance of 1.5m between people and limiting numbers to 3 people per appointment."

The severest closure came when Melbourne developers saw their display suites closed for two months until late October last year with the lifting of pandemic restrictions on open inspections.

Last week the RBA lauded apartment developers using virtual walk-throughs in place of in-person inspections since the pandemic hit the country early last year.

The reference to property development firms using virtual walk-throughs came in a speech from RBA assistant governor Luci Ellis.

Frasers Midtown sales and display centre at Macquarie Park remains open according to its website marketing, but by appointment only. 

"Like our team, we request you practice good hand hygiene, wear an approved face covering and maintain physical distancing, by keeping 1.5m away from others.

"Our sales team are also available via phone, video and email according to your preferences, so we can safeguard the health of our customers and staff," its website advised.

The Real Estate Institute of NSW CEO Tim McKibbin noted while the operating environment for agents and consumers is temporarily interrupted, he said the fundamentals remain largely unchanged. 

"Demand still outstrips supply and prices can be expected to remain strong, though the pace of growth has naturally eased," he said.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

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