Brisbane's top five most popular apartment developments for first home buyers in 2024
Despite Brisbane's staggering price growth which has seen it overtake Melbourne in median dwelling value, there's still a strong appetite from first home buyers in the market, as long as there's a compelling enough price point to purchase.
There's few developments being launched across Brisbane, but those that do, and have competitive priced stock, are seeing strong demand from first home buyers because there tends to only be a handful of one-bedroom apartments in a building nowadays, with developers leaning towards two and three-bedroom units.
We've crunched the numbers and wrapped up the top five apartment developments that have drawn the interest of first home buyers so far in 2024.
Project: Ruby Ruby
Location: 12 Crombie Street, Milton QLD 4064
Developer: Kokoda Property
Kokoda Property's Ruby Ruby will rise 21 levels from 12-18 Crombie Street and will comprise 144 apartments, ranging from 65 sqm to 155 sqm. Prices for Ruby Ruby start at $799,000.
Ranking first in Urban.com.au's list of top enquiries by first home buyers for apartment developments in Brisbane, the feedback from the Urban Community voted Ruby Ruby's amenities, floor plan designs, and great location as the development's key strengths.
The 144-apartment building will feature a wellness rooftop with a wet-edge swimming pool that spans the full width of the building. Completing the fitness component of the rooftop is a health and wellness space with a gym, infrared sauna, spa, plunge pool and yoga studio.
Kokoda is also catering for the working-from-home trend with several meeting rooms on the ground level, while the podium will be home to a private dining and lounge area, a cinema room, and a billiards room.
The development will offer a variety of unit configurations, including 54 one-bedroom units, 77 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units, and two four-bedroom penthouses on the 20th floor.
Moreover, Ruby Ruby is ideally located just behind the Milton Train Station, a three-minute train to Roma Street Station. The site has also quickly garnered attention for its quirky cafe and brewery scene attracting young professionals.
Project: Panorama
Location: 37 Mayne Road, Bowen Hills QLD 4006
Developer: Arden Group
Panorama, made up of 256 one and two-bedroom apartments over 25 levels designed by Arqus Design, is more than competitively priced when put next to comparable apartment developments in Brisbane.
Suited to both investors and first-home buyers, the ready-to-move-in-apartments start from an affordable price of $495,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit.
Just over two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and less than 10-minute walk to some of Brisbane’s best retail, commercial and employment hot spots, Panorama sits in a desirable location.
The building is also located 200 metres from Bowen Hills Station and a 10-minute ride to the Brisbane airport.
On the ground level, Panorama provides residents with convenient retail services, while on level five, the Panorama Retreat features an exclusive resort level, including a lap pool with an adjoining plunge pool, Zen garden, a landscaped north-facing ‘quiet zone,’ barbecue, entertainment terrace, gym facilities and sauna.
The Panorama Skydeck crowns the building and features private nooks, a cinema, bar, and kitchen.
Project: Wattlebrush Gardens
Location: 14 Wattlebrush Court, Park Ridge QLD 4125
Developer: Property & Equity
Park Ridge is a peaceful, low-crime rate, strategically positioned suburb with significant potential, despite being 30 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.
The Council envisions the area as a highly desirable place to live and work, taking advantage of its natural assets, especially with the recent upgrade of the Mt Lindesay Highway.
One developer tapping into the anticipated growth is Property & Equity, which has delivered a collection of 23 townhomes to the area.
Property & Equity's townhouse development Wattlebrush Gardens offers a prime location that has attracted first-home buyers and investors, situated near the entrance to the Mt Lindsay Highway.
Three-bedroom townhomes are still available in Wattlebrush Gardens, with prices starting at an affordable point of $490,000.
Residents will also benefit from the recent completion of the Logan Hospital expansion, a $145 million project, which has transformed the hospital into a state-of-the-art health facility, catering to the growing population in the southwest growth corridor.
Educational facilities are also a hot commodity in Park Ridge, with Wattlebrush Gardens near Park Ridge State High School and Park Ridge Primary.
Project: Breathe Residences
Location: 27 Lorne Street, Alderley QLD 4051
Developer: Guavalime
Although just approaching its launch, Guavalime's Breathe Residences in Alderley ticks all the boxes for first-home buyers.
Breathe Residences offers a variety of configurations to choose from, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, conveniently situated just a six-minute walk away from the train station and directly opposite Alderley Village.
Inside, the apartments feature exposed concrete ceilings in the living area, while balconies or outdoor rooms feature built-in bench seats and planter boxes, extending living spaces outdoors while offering opportunities for relaxation and greenery.
Local builder Geocal Group has already been appointed to build Breathe Residences, which is expected to officially launch soon through Position Property.
Project: Parque
Location: 3 McConaghy Street, Mitchelton QLD 4053
Developer: Carbone Developments
Another recently launched project, Carbone's Parque in Mitchelton has already gained traction on Urban.com.au, particularly among first home buyers, presenting one of the rarest opportunities to buy off the plan in an area starved of new apartment supply.
Starting from $450,000, the 60 one and two-bedroom apartments have been designed by Red Door Architecture to make the most of Brisbane's tropical climate, with the open plan kitchen, living and dining areas opening onto balconies.
The project features a swimming pool and a gym, as well as a sun deck with barbecue facilities and park views.
Slated for completion in July 2025, Parque Michelton's location is one of the stand-out features of the project. Not many projects have the convenience of a train station 35 metres away as well as sitting on 6,100 sqm Osborne Road Park.