New apartment developers are scrambling to get involved with the NSW Government’s Accelerated Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Precinct Program, as off-the-plan buyers queue up to live above or next to the game-changing Sydney Metro line.

The extended Metro line, which connects Sydenham in Sydney’s Inner West all the way to Tallawong in the Hills District, allows commuters to travel from the city to the Lower North Shore in just a few minutes. The region has quickly become one of the most searched on Apartments.com.au, thanks to the fast and efficient transport link.

All new Metro developments are assessed through the NSW Government’s State Significant Development Application process rather than local councils. Each proposal first enters a scoping stage before full plans are released for public feedback.

Malaysian developer SP Setia is the latest to submit a Scoping Report to the NSW Government for its Atchison Street site in St Leonards.

The developer—best known in Australia for delivering Sapphire by The Gardens on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD—is seeking approval for a 40-level tower, comprising 36 levels of residential apartments above a four-level commercial podium.

In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

Developer Third.i saw huge success with the release of Elevate apartments at Hume Place, one of the first TOD projects launched to market late last year. They have now pivoted their next tower—originally planned as an office building—into a build-to-rent apartment project.

National developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/traders-in-purple">Traders In Purple</a> has also submitted early plans for a TOD project in Wollstonecraft, close enough to the Crows Nest Metro to fall within the newly rezoned TOD precinct.

Their plans propose something more boutique: a 12-level development more in line with their ethos and better suited to the suburb’s scale and character.

Meanwhile, a TOD project above the Metro in Parramatta has just been approved. The plans include four towers—a mix of residential and commercial—with around 111 apartments as part of the scheme.

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Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/parramatta-metro-tod-approved-apartments-planned-as-part-of-scheme">Parramatta Metro TOD approved, apartments planned as part of scheme</a>

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

TOD apartment pipeline ramps up: SP Setia, Traders In Purple, Third.i, plan new towers on booming Sydney Metro line 

In a record-breaking deal that underscores the strength of the Gold Coast luxury market, Queensland developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has shattered the Chevron Island price record with the $10 million-plus off the plan sale of a penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/perspective-helm-107-stanhill-drive-chevron-island-qld-4217">Perspective Helm</a> development.&nbsp;

With Penthouse 10 now sold, only Penthouse 9 remains available in the boutique block of 10.

The record-breaking sale surpasses the previous <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a> high of $9 million, achieved by the Chevron One penthouse in 2022.&nbsp;

The buyers of Penthouse 10 are private residents from Brisbane.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143018 project_image_fid=313578]

Sherpa’s founder Christie Leet said the sale reinforces the scale, exclusivity, and prestige of Perspective Helm, located in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held waterfront precincts.

“We’ve seen strong momentum for sales at Perspective Helm, with 90% of residences now sold, and to have secured a contract on one of the penthouses is a significant milestone,” said Leet.

“This result not only reflects the extraordinary calibre of Perspective Helm but also demonstrates ongoing buyer confidence and the robust demand for premium property across the Gold Coast.”

Leet said releasing Penthouse 9 to the market represents a rare chance to secure one of the most significant residences ever delivered on Chevron Island.&nbsp;

“It’s the last opportunity to own a residence of this calibre in what is arguably one of the most coveted waterfront addresses on the Gold Coast,” said Leet.&nbsp;

“We don’t expect Penthouse 9 to remain available for long; there is nothing comparable on the market right now.”&nbsp;

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Penthouse 9, priced at $9.99 million,&nbsp;spans 793 sqm across two levels. It will have four bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a powder room, a cinema, a multipurpose room, and a four-car lock-up garage. There is also a 60-foot private Marina Berth included.&nbsp;

Designed for upscale entertaining, the penthouses boast indoor and outdoor living spaces, featuring a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, barbecue, private pool, pizza oven, and fire pit.

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“Every detail of these penthouses has been meticulously crafted to offer an indulgent lifestyle, where effortless luxury meets serene sophistication,” Leet added. &nbsp;

Perspective Helm is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed in October 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143018]

Sherpa’s founder Christie Leet said the sale reinforces the scale, exclusivity, and prestige of Perspective Helm, located in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held waterfront precincts

Sherpa smashes Chevron Island record with $10 million Perspective Helm sale

Until eight years ago, Stones Corner was simply a neighbourhood within Greenslopes and Coorparoo. But in 2017, the small 0.6-square-kilometre area became its own suburb, named after James Stone, who operated a ginger beer shop there in 1875.

Anchored by Hanlon Park—one of Brisbane's best parks—Stones Corner is now well and truly on the map.

“Stones Corner, a small and deliciously eclectic urban village, is one of inner-city Brisbane’s biggest residential opportunities and best-kept secrets,” Slaite Projects Director Brett Jackson says.

The Slaite team, on behalf of developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/demartini-fletcher-property">DeMartini Fletcher Property</a>, recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/corner-house-stones-corner-18-stoneham-street-stones-corner-qld-4120">Corner House</a>—just 88 apartments on the corner of Montague and Stoneham Streets. Within a matter of months, 50 per cent of the apartments have already been spoken for.

We recently joined Jackson at the onsite display suite for Corner House to find out more about the project.

<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/catw4iGwXG4?si=UW4dgVxIHsfgHlvU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

“Corner House honours the character and vernacular of Stones Corner while adding a fresh contemporary spin,” Jackson says.

The building has been designed by Ellivo Architects, who incorporated the existing red brick corner structure—a nod to the surrounding area. The upper levels step back and are wrapped in curved balconies with soft, fluid edges.

While larger towers are rising in the nearby Woolloongabba precinct, Corner House keeps things deliberately modest. The 88 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments are spread across an 11-level building.

“Each residence has been designed to be luxuriously spacious, with open-plan living, a large entertainer’s kitchen, and ample storage,” Jackson says.

Flush floor finishes allow living areas to flow directly onto the balcony, while green-screen planters between apartments help soften sightlines and maintain privacy.

There’s a noticeable consistency in the finishes throughout—no jarring leap between entry-level and premium inclusions. Kitchens come fitted with a full suite of integrated Italian-designed Kleenmaid appliances, including double fridges and freezers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330588]

A strong design trend over the past five years has been to place resident amenities on the rooftop—and that's exactly what Ellivo leaned into when designing the building.

“The rooftop at Corner House has been conceived as an all-encompassing experience designed to enhance your lifestyle,” Jackson says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330599]

The roof will feature a resort-style infinity pool that spans almost the entire width of the building, a spa, sauna, and ice bath, as well as a gym, yoga lawn, herb garden, and BBQ facilities.

Construction has commenced at Corner House with an early 2028 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149098]

"A deliciously eclectic urban village": Inside Stones Corner's newest apartment development, Corner House

Hawthorn is going through somewhat of a development boom in recent months, with several developments either being sought or commencing their sales campaign.

The most recent entrant is Peter Forsyth's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/outline-projects">Outline Projects</a>, who has filed for 41 apartments on Glenferrie Road.

They're seeking to replace several old commercial buildings with a new <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>-designed development incorporating two street-level retail spaces at 846-858 Glenferrie Road.<img alt="Glenferrie Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e931ebbd-2011-457b-a495-7f26f1ce42aa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/entry%20retail.png?VersionId=qoE7XzbiDJZT8wvkoyL1SOLQ2Z1nl5xv" />

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The apartments, a mix of&nbsp;19 two-beds and 22 three-beds, each with usable balconies or terraces that are a minimum of 15 per cent of internal space. A 110 sqm communal rooftop for residents, complete with an outdoor kitchen, and dining and gathering zones, will crown the all-electric building.

Woods Bagot took cues from the Edwardian and Victorian architectural influences that dominate the area when designing the building, but with a modern interpretation of classic styles.

Architectural features such as lightwells and angled geometry break down the mass of the building and soften its visual impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

<img alt="Glenferrie Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="739012de-73c7-406c-a5b9-afa242af9df3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/perspective.png?VersionId=l03SekDAZCiolzVtceQYuPKx2aSOWHuF" />

Outline's plans come hot on the heels of Carpe Group and ICON Developments, who just last month <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/first-look-carpe-group-and-icon-developments-team-up-again-for-new-downsizer-apartments-in-hawthorn">filed for 32 apartments on Robinson Road</a>.

Designed by acclaimed architecture studio&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/powell-glenn">Powell &amp; Glenn</a>, the low-density development is expected to cater predominantly to owner-occupiers—<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/carpe-group" target="">Carpe</a>'s primary target market. The majority of the 32 apartments will feature three bedrooms.

One of the most recent new developments to launch in Hawthorn is from precinct-led developer Hamton, who is selling <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/scotch-hill-gardens-hawthorn-147-robinson-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Scotch Hill Gardens</a>, a new community with six low-rise buildings enveloped in estabished greenery.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149097 project_image_fid=327632]

It is another development by Woods Bagot, who drew inspiration from the organisation of lily pads on a pond—organic formations that are discrete yet interconnected, sitting lightly within their context.

This approach aligns with the principles of "nature-based cities," integrating nature, amenity, wellness, and community into the urban fabric.

Woods Bagot took cues from the Edwardian and Victorian architectural influences that dominate the area when designing the building, but with a modern interpretation of classic styles

First look: Hawthorn development boom continues with Outline Projects' Glenferrie Road plans

National apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis" target="">Fortis</a> is seeking&nbsp;to upsize its latest Rose Bay apartment development on Ian Street.

Fortis, the development arm of financier and investment manager Pallas Group, initially filed plans for 12 apartments at 10-12 Ian Street in August last year. They are now seeking a redesign to add an additional 10 units, offering a more diverse mix of apartments.

The now $28 million development, designed by MHN Design Union, will be split into two buildings, each with its own lobby—13 units in one building and nine in the other.

While the original scheme featured almost exclusively three-bedroom apartments, the revised proposal includes a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom units.

<table>
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th>&nbsp;</th>
			<th>Original Scheme (2024)</th>
			<th>Amended Scheme (2025)</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Number of Apartments</td>
			<td>12</td>
			<td>22</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Apartment Mix</td>
			<td>1 x 2-bed, 11 x 3-bed</td>
			<td>6 x 2-bed, 14 x 3-bed, 2 x 4-bed</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Storeys</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Private Gardens</td>
			<td>Limited</td>
			<td>Included for select units</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Number of Lobbies</td>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Design Architect</td>
			<td>MHN Design Union</td>
			<td>MHN Design Union</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Each of the apartments will feature either a balcony or a terrace, with several ground-level apartments enjoying access to private courtyard gardens.

The apartments will sit above two levels of basement parking.

<img alt="10-12 Ian Street, Rose Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f41c5d02-dcca-4dcc-ad33-476d78e3be2e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ian%20Street%20site%20pers.png?VersionId=2vlNEtQoIs8QCt6DlaI4jaJ3mkKM.hLW" />

&nbsp;

The amended DA reflects a deepened commitment to high-quality urban infill housing in Rose Bay, the updated submission noted.

MHN Design Union has retained the building’s curved, classical form and warm-toned façade articulation while increasing the internal floor area distribution and introducing improved internal planning to meet SEPP65 and ADG standards.

“The building form has been tactically designed to follow the contour of the steep topography, which falls across the site," MHN Design Union's&nbsp;Design Verification Statement noted.

"Apartments have been strategically positioned to optimise solar access to all living spaces while considering the magnificent views and proximity to adjacent properties."

The building’s terraced massing and twin-lobby configuration help mitigate bulk and offer a more intimate residential scale, aligning with the emerging mid-rise character of Rose Bay under the state’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Fortis plan new Rose Bay 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%202024-08-19%20at%2010.07.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=CmFYfY66JlU5Si1O7sL2At2deQgcLIFW" />

This uptick in development mirrors a broader trend across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, where ageing housing stock and high land values are prompting a shift toward high-quality multi-residential offerings in well-connected, lifestyle-rich locations.

This project marks Fortis’ continued expansion in Sydney’s blue-chip eastern coastal corridor. Alongside Atlas in Rose Bay, the developer has delivered or launched apartments in Point Piper, Woollahra, Bronte, and Elizabeth Bay, where it recently unveiled Regency House.

Their developments typically target the downsizer market, offering larger internal footprints, private outdoor spaces, and design-forward architecture paired with premium finishes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146328]

While the original scheme featured almost exclusively three-bedroom apartments, the revised proposal includes a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom units

Quote of the week: Hard to be an Afghan property developer

Alistair Walsh

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