The word sterling has many connotations. It is often used when something is of top quality, prestige, and timelessness.

It is sterling that inspired the newest development in Lane Cove, in Sydney's booming Lower North Shore region.

Located in the quiet northern end of Lane Cove, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/sterling-lane-cove-2-merinda-street-lane-cove">Sterling</a>&nbsp;features 50 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, catering for a wide variety of buyers and just six apartments per floor.

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Ray White Projects Wider Sydney Managing Director, Mark Bernberg, says everything about the project is intrinsically tied to what sterling is all about.

"Everything has been considered to be of sterling quality," Bernberg says.

"The fixtures and finishes are another level up from what has come before in this quiet pocket of Lane Cove, and every apartment, be it for the first home buyer, rightsizer, or downsizer, has the same sterling design approach."

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Each kitchen in Sterling is fitted with Miele ovens and cooktops and Fisher &amp; Paykel dishwashers.

Future residents will have access to a rooftop entertaining area with extensive panoramic views, over the leafy surroundings and back to the Sydney CBD.

The location of Sterling is expected to draw those seeking both nature and convenience. It is ideally located on Merinda Street, which will place residents between Stringybark Creek,&nbsp;Lane Cove's only area of endangered Blue Gum High Forest, and the well-connected&nbsp;Mowbray Road West and Epping Road.&nbsp;

It's only two kilometres from The Canopy, the heart of the Lane Cove community that has a plaza with extensive retail and hospitality venues centred around a village green-like lawn that regularly hosts live music acts.

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Sterling is being delivered by builder developer Scion Group, who has a strong reputation of delivering quality across Sydney's North Shore.

As part of its commitment to delivering quality, Scion has taken out the <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> offered by Resilience Insurance. The insurance, often known as LDI covers structural defects of the building for up to 10 years post-completion. Sterling is the only development in Lane Cove to have the insurance.

Scion Group is well advanced in construction of Sterling. The building itself is expected to complete later this year, with the internal fitout seeing residents move in some time in Q1 2025.

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Joel Robinson

Sterling in name and nature as new apartments hit Lane Cove

It was the combination of research, timing, and growth potential that led Youngki Park to secure his first home in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a>’s Melrose Central, part of the expansive Melrose Park urban renewal project.

Youngki, an architect by trade, had become aware of the opportunity for growth in the area from his friend who had previously bought an apartment in Melrose Park with Sekisui.

"The value of my friend's apartment had gone up since he had bought it off the plan, so that for me opened up the idea of buying an apartment that hadn't been built yet,"&nbsp;Youngki said.

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Youngki had seen first hand how much the area had evolved in recent years, and was well aware of the infrastructure developments in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a>.

"There is a lot happening in the area, especially regarding transport, which will connect it to the rest of Sydney," Youngki said.

"Melrose Central will be across the road from the future&nbsp;Parramatta Light Rail which will make commuting into the city easy, and there's a new bridge planned that will connect it [Melrose Park] to Wentworth Point."

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Understanding no purchase of a home isn't without its risks, in both the established or off the plan space, Youngki said doing his research on the developer made him feel at ease.

"As an architect, I appreciated the design of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-657-661-victoria-road-melrose-park-nsw-2214">Melrose Central</a>,&nbsp;and after doing my research into Deicorp and the fact they have delivered 100 per cent of projects they've set out to, my mind was made up."

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Youngki is renting across the harbour in Rhodes but decided it was the right time to invest in his financial future. He was one of 40 or so buyers who secured apartment on the display suite launch at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-657-661-victoria-road-melrose-park-nsw-2214">Melrose Central</a>.

"I hadn't intended on buying on the opening weekend, however, the sheer number of people, and the clear confidence and intent of those buyers, pushed him over the line."

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<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/project-marketer/cbre-residential-australia" target="">CBRE</a>&nbsp;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, developed by Deicorp and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/payce-consolidated-limited">PAYCE</a>, is a part of the larger 55-hectare Melrose Park precinct, which will eventually deliver 500 apartments over six buildings, alongside a five-level podium housing retail, wellness facilities, and a Coles supermarket.&nbsp;

The first stage of Melrose Central is expected to complete by mid-2027.

Youngki took part in Urban's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/buyer-qa">Buyer Q&amp;A series</a>, which focuses on the driving factors behind&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/guides/the-ultimate-off-the-plan-guide-5-property-experts-share-advice-for-buying-a-new-apartment-or-townhome" target="">buying off the plan</a>&nbsp;property in Australia.

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CBRE Residential Project Managing Director, David Milton, says Melrose Central represents great value for buyers

Why a local first home buyer bought an apartment in Deicorp's Melrose Central: Urban Buyer Q&A

A Bawlyn apartment development that counts billionaire James Packer as one of its interested parties, has been approved.

Packer's name features in a long list of company directorships that tie him to a new $32 million apartment development in one of Melbourne's leafiest suburbs, a suburb where new apartment developments are a dime a dozen.

A tangled web of investors shows Packer's Consolidated Press International Holdings Limited investment vehicle as the ultimate holding company for Sharland Holdings, which shows an interest in the entity NPG MALEELA PTY LTD, the name on the development application.

The project will be developed by Chapter Group, with the Lefkos family name in the directorships of the main company, in a joint venture with&nbsp;Gersh Investment Partners.

The VCAT approval, secured in 10 days, paves the way for a three-level, Cera Stribley-designed building on a prime&nbsp;3,862 sqm site at 23 Maleela Avenue, just set back from Whitehorse Road between Balwyn and Deepdene.

The design, submitted to the Boroondara Council, aims to reflect the character of Balwyn, a suburb known for its architectural diversity.&nbsp;

The building will include two and three-bedroom apartments, with 18 different floorplans across the 31 residences.&nbsp;

The two-bedroom apartments will range in size from 114 sqm to 140 sqm, while the three-bedroom apartments start at 150 sqm.&nbsp;

At the top end, three penthouses will span between 310 sqm and 361 sqm, each featuring three master suite bedrooms and two living rooms.

Cera Stribley Architects stated that the design takes inspiration from the surrounding area, referencing Balwyn's eclectic mix of architectural styles, including Georgian Revival, Moderne, and Tudor Revival homes.&nbsp;

The articulation of the building will respond directly to the adjacent residential architecture, with the southern portion of the building grounded on the highest point of the site and horizontal planes flowing northward.&nbsp;

Landscaping by Jack Merlo will further integrate the development with its surroundings.

The development reflects the growing demand for diverse housing in established premium suburbs like Balwyn, which has seen an influx of new and emerging apartment projects.&nbsp;

The development aims to offer a range of housing options, particularly for families seeking access to this coveted area.&nbsp;

The project continues Chapter Group’s recent successes, including their <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/vic/confidence-in-melbournes-off-the-plan-apartment-market-soars-with-record-10-million-fitzroy-sale">record-setting sale of a penthouse</a> in Fitzroy for over $10 million.

First look: Balwyn apartment development with links to billionaire James Packer approved

Maroochydore is set for a rare new development a stone's throw from the Maroochy River.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/rocking-horse-construction">Rocking Horse Constructions</a>&nbsp;has been given the green light by the Sunshine Coast Council to developer&nbsp;El Parasol, a new 12-level apartment with 53 apartments.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/ferro-chow-architects">Ferro Chow Architecture</a>&nbsp;has designed the building at&nbsp;15-17 Ocean Street. The designs units have been inspired by the surrounding ocean and the dynamic lifestyle of the area, the architecture firm says.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/el-parasol-15-17-ocean-street-maroochydore">El Parasol</a>'s approved design will bring 16 two-bedroom apartments, 32 three-bedroom units—half of which will feature a study—and four four-bedroom penthouses on the top floor.&nbsp;

The development will also include communal facilities on level three, such as a swimming pool, spa with cabanas, a gym, and a kitchen and dining area.&nbsp;

The ground level will house a hospitality venue, while level two and part of level three will accommodate four two-level office spaces. Parking for the development includes 128 spaces, divided among residents, visitors, retail, and office users.&nbsp;

<img alt="Parasol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9acf2909-a0fd-4a03-9ea5-e380e49b70d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-10-10%20at%203.09.44%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=o7eBLNuwyR5.mh.YwPAKvl_VgwdPBKx2" />

The architectural vision, as submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, is to create a multi-residential community that integrates a food and drink outlet, office spaces, and dwellings, fostering a vibrant and interconnected neighbourhood.

The design of the building incorporates earthy materials such as off-form concrete, timber, and rammed earth, with landscaping elements like hanging planters and perimeter planting to help blend the structure into its coastal environment.&nbsp;

Ferro Chow Architecture said the street-level experience will be activated with greenery, creating a connection between common areas and the surrounding entertainment precinct.&nbsp;

<img alt="Parasol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="06085929-12ed-4cca-a61c-a6b71952d6fc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-10-10%20at%203.09.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=BW8R5VtBZLVhLk.MaHNIJJdNxX0PNpU8" />

The building will sit directly across from Big Top Shopping Centre, in an area that has seen limited residential supply in recent years.

This version of the El Parasol project is a scaled-back iteration of an earlier plan approved in 2020, which included 66 apartments and 44 short-term accommodation units across a larger site.&nbsp; The currently approved design reflects a more compact project on a 2,190 sqm site that was previously a retail strip.&nbsp;

Maroochydore is continuing to grow into a new hub for South East Queensland and the Sunshine Coast region.

Most of the activity in Maroochydore is geared toward the new greenfield CBD, with Habitat Development Group and Walker Corp the busiest developers in the precinct.

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The architectural vision, as submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, is to create a multi-residential community that integrates a food and drink outlet, office spaces, and dwellings, fostering a vibrant and interconnected neighbourhood

El Parasol apartments set for Maroochydore

Designed for over 4500 residents, providing much-needed housing in the region, the $1.5-billion masterplan by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land Group</a>, Harbour Shores, is set to rise on one of the last large-scale greenfield waterfront development sites on the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a>.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters">Harbour Shores</a> is located along Oxley Drive in Biggera Waters, in between Biggera Creek and the Harbour Town Premium Outlets shopping mall developed by Lewis Land in 1999.

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Traditionally settled by retirees, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/biggera-waters-qld">Biggera Waters</a> has seen a recent surge in younger buyers attracted to the retail and dining hub with the development of the shopping centre.&nbsp;

Biggera Waters offers residents a quiet lifestyle, minutes from the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/broadwater-qld">Broadwater</a> yet still in proximity to major shopping centres and natural attractions, and only ten minutes from the CBD during peak hour traffic. The suburb also boasts excellent restaurants, cafes, specialty stores, parklands, and proximity to boat ramps and waterways.

A quick coffee and breakfast are available at The Coffee Club in Harbour Town Premium Outlets shopping mall across the road, while lunch and dinner options range from Japanese at Ichi Ban Ya, Chinese at 8 Street, to Nonna's Italian.

After a satisfying meal, residents can stroll around the mall and shop for everything from designer fashion and accessories to&nbsp;homewares and electronics. There is also the Reading Cinemas for a date or family night.

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For outdoor enthusiasts, there are numerous fishing spots in the vicinity, with the closest one just a five-minute drive away.

Additionally, there are large parks just less than one kilometre from Harbour Shores, such as Ngulli Bui Park and Cos Zantiotis Park, adjacent to Cooke Murphy Oval used by the NEAFL's Labrador Australian Football Club team as their home game base.

Meanwhile, a seven-minute drive north will take residents to Quota Park and the beachside Harley Park and Ian Dipple Lagoon towards the south.

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Families in Harbour Shores will enjoy convenient access not only to parks and playgrounds but also to several education facilities located in Biggera Waters and nearby suburbs. Biggera Waters State School, Arundel Early Intervention Centre, Coombabah State High School, and Labrador State School are all situated within just one kilometre of Harbour Shores.

The Harbour Shores' master plan revolves around 1.5 kilometres of canal frontage, linked to private marina berths, providing direct boat access to the Broadwater and beyond. Residents can access this via the public boardwalk and extensive parklands.

Lewis Land CEO Matthew McCarron anticipates the project generating up to 5,000 jobs over its development lifespan.

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Brisbane unit prices steady over March quarter: REIQ

Diane Leow

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