<p data-end="637" data-start="389">Diversified developer Loftex is seeking to trigger the affordability uplift at its new Chatswood apartment tower.</p>

<p data-end="637" data-start="389">They've filed for a State Significant Development Application for a 35-level tower designed by EM BE CE on a central 2,290 sqm site near the Chatswood Interchange.</p>

<p data-end="637" data-start="389">EM BE CE won the design competition for what was in 2022 a 127-unit, 27-level tower at 3-5 Help Street, besting&nbsp;schemes from Kann Finch and Nettleton Tribe.</p>

<p data-end="637" data-start="389"><img alt="Help St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c23ac16f-78ac-4426-8bae-45233ed9974e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-06-18%20at%2011.36.41%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=z3Ww3tfYXdQt.ewxtezeaqbBtv_UwxRW" /></p>

<p data-end="637" data-start="389">The upscale plans will now see 160 apartments delivered, 32 of those being affordable housing. The apartments will sit alongside 2,345 sqm of commercial space and a new 695 sqm public domain, anchored by the creation of “Cambridge Walk,” a north-facing landscaped promenade that will act as a key pedestrian link in the growing Chatswood centre.</p>

<p data-end="637" data-start="389">The apartments will also sit&nbsp;atop a five-level podium and five levels of basement parking.</p>

<p data-end="1499" data-start="1218">“The striking folding form of the building expresses and celebrates a key node in the city that it occupies,” EM BE CE noted in the Design Report.</p>

<p data-end="1499" data-start="1218">“Its form has been derived from the complying envelope, refined to maximise the North-East outlook and sun for the residents.”</p>

<p data-end="1499" data-start="1218"><img alt="Help St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3f6a8ab3-245c-4616-af13-27192aa60b3e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-06-18%20at%2011.36.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=eDnpPUthEWI72rZO2v9SxUleXyJs.82m" /></p>

<p data-end="2001" data-start="1501">The site occupies a prominent position, bounded by Help Street to the south, Cambridge Lane to the west, and McIntosh Street to the north, placing it just north of the Chatswood transport interchange and adjacent to existing high-rise developments and infrastructure. This part of Chatswood has been earmarked for significant residential intensification under the Chatswood CBD Strategy 2036, which promotes high-density, mixed-use towers that contribute positively to the cityscape and public realm.</p>

<p data-end="2030" data-start="2003">The apartment mix includes:</p>

<ul data-end="2194" data-start="2031">
	<li data-end="2058" data-start="2031">
	<p data-end="2058" data-start="2033">37 one-bedroom apartments</p>
	</li>
	<li data-end="2097" data-start="2059">
	<p data-end="2097" data-start="2061">18 one-bedroom affordable apartments</p>
	</li>
	<li data-end="2125" data-start="2098">
	<p data-end="2125" data-start="2100">75 two-bedroom apartments</p>
	</li>
	<li data-end="2164" data-start="2126">
	<p data-end="2164" data-start="2128">14 two-bedroom affordable apartments</p>
	</li>
	<li data-end="2194" data-start="2165">
	<p data-end="2194" data-start="2167">16 three-bedroom apartments</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p data-end="2559" data-start="2196">EM BE CE said there will be "no dud apartments", with&nbsp;over 78 per cent of residences enjoying dual aspects.</p>

<p data-end="2762" data-start="2561">The design weaves greenery through all levels, drawing from the Sandstone Ridgetop Woodlands and Blue Gum Forest typologies, and incorporating terraces and roof gardens that provide relief and texture.</p>

<p data-end="2995" data-start="2764">“The deep reveals of the podium are an environmental and architectural response,” EM BE CE added. “These provide shading to the commercial areas and create opportunities for the ground floor tenancies to occupy the building edge.”</p>

<p data-end="2995" data-start="2764">Chatswood underwent a wave of new planning proposals with various legislative changes expanding the CBD, which allowed for sites on the periphery of what was deemed the CBD to trigger increased height limits.</p>

<p data-end="2995" data-start="2764">While several developments are earmarked for the suburb, only a handful have kicked off in recent years. Both <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields Group</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/central-element">Central Element</a> are under construction at their two Chatswood towers, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/the-bryson-of-chatswood-871-877-pacific-highway-chatswood-nsw-2067">Bryson of Chatswood</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/ethos-15-ellis-street-753-pacific-highway-chatswood">Ethos Chatswood</a>.</p>


Joel Robinson

First look: Loftex's Chatswood tower goes public with affordable uplift

<p data-end="306" data-start="90">The rising cost of construction, combined with significant growth in Sydney’s property market, means first home buyers looking to get a foothold on the property ladder need to act quickly in the new apartment market.</p>

<p data-end="560" data-start="308">In 2023, the NSW Government increased the concessional stamp duty threshold to $800,000. This means first home buyers purchasing a new or off-the-plan apartment below this threshold pay no stamp duty — a saving of up to&nbsp;$31,090.</p>

<p data-end="804" data-start="562">However, due to escalating construction costs, fewer apartment towers are being built. As a result, there’s a reduced supply of one-bedroom apartments in the market — the configuration type most likely to fall under the $800,000 threshold.</p>

<p data-end="1219" data-start="806">This means first home buyers must move fast when new developments are released with apartments priced below $800,000. These opportunities are becoming increasingly rare and are now also attracting serious interest from investors. While investors don’t benefit from the stamp duty concession, they are buying in an environment of falling interest rates, rising property prices, and rents at or near historic highs.</p>

<p>In this article, we've rounded up the top six new developments across Greater Sydney that has apartments that fall under $800,000 and make sense for first home buyers.</p>

<h2>What: Auburn Square</h2>

<h2>Where: 26-36 Northumberland Road, Auburn NSW 2144</h2>

<h2>Who: Tian An LFD</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $540,000</h2>

<p>Tian An recently launched the next phase of its award-winning <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/auburn-square-stage-1-26-36-northumberland-road-auburn-nsw-2144">Auburn Square</a> precinct, with prices starting from $540,000.</p>

<p>The new stage, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/north-village-auburn-square-35-northumberland-road-auburn-nsw-2144">North Village</a>, will comprise 264 apartments across a striking Rothelowman-designed building, above a new Coles supermarket and cafe.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149184 project_image_fid=324852]</p>

<p>Over 25 per cent of the new apartments were snapped up on its recent launch, driven by first home buyers, young professionals, and local rightsizers.</p>

<p>North Village is the&nbsp;only new development in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/auburn-nsw-2144" target="">Auburn</a>&nbsp;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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149184 project_image_fid=324853]</p>

<p>iCIRT rated builder Binah is on site and is expecting to complete the building in 2027.</p>

<h2>What: Central Quarter</h2>

<h2>Where: 242-252 Pitt Street, Merrylands NSW 2160</h2>

<h2>Who: Northland</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $598,700</h2>

<p>Veteran developer Northland Group is also offering price-pointed apartments in their recently launched Merrylands development, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/central-quarter-merrylands-242-252-pitt-street-merrylands-nsw-2160">Central Quarter</a>.</p>

<p>Also with the Latent Defects Insurance policy, Central Quarter offers 194 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments next to Merrylands Station, bus interchange, and Stockland Merrylands retail centre.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=343722]</p>

<p>Northland is also bringing doorstep convenenience to its podium levels in the form of a fast food operator, a 24/7 gym, and a childcare centre.</p>

<p>The builder-developer is well underway in the construction phase and is expecting to welcome buyers in the middle of 2026.</p>

<h2>What: Horizon Hurstville</h2>

<h2>Where: 6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville NSW 2220</h2>

<h2>Who: One Collection</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $657,000</h2>

<p>Another developer who has timed their launch to coincide with significant progress in the build is One Collection, who has recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/horizon-hurstville-6-jack-brabham-drive-hurstville-nsw-2220">Horizon Hurstville</a>, in the heart of the connected south Sydney suburb.</p>

<p>Horizon is the final building within a wider precinct which already&nbsp;features a Woolworths supermarket and direct access to Kempt Field.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=149850 project_image_fid=278]</p>

<p>It’s the park and convenience that underpin&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/hurstville-nsw-2220" target="">Hurstville</a>’s strong Walk Score of 81 — a number set to improve with the arrival of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/st-clair-birtinya-930-931-waterside-retreat-birtinya" target="">St Clair</a>&nbsp;Lane, a new retail laneway soon to be activated by hospitality, health, and lifestyle businesses.</p>

<p>Above St Claire Lane, 179 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are now available, priced well under the threshold for first home buyers to pay no stamp duty.</p>

<h2>What: Dawn, Melrose Park</h2>

<h2>Where: 82-84 Wharf Road, Melrose Park NSW 2114</h2>

<h2>Who: Sekisui House Australia</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $639,000</h2>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sekisui House Australia has seen a wave of first home buyers at its latest stage of its Melrose Park masterplan, Dawn.</p>

<p>Priced from $639,000, the 368 apartments sit the closest to the new park being delivered by Sekisui. GroupGSA has designed the apartments to take in as much of the natural surroundings as possible.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145496 project_image_fid=334048]</p>

<p>There are one, two and three-bedroom apartments on offer, as well as luxury penthouses with private rooftop terraces.</p>

<p>Dawn’s prime location close to the future Melrose Park High School,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150" target="">Parramatta</a>&nbsp;Light Rail Stage 2 connection and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a>&nbsp;Town Centre as well as extensive parklands, make it a popular choice with purchasers.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What: Melrose Central</h2>

<h2>Where: 33 Hope Street, Melrose Park NSW 2114</h2>

<h2>Who: Deicorp</h2>

<p>Deicorp also has seen a significant number of first home buyers at their slice of Melrose Park.</p>

<p>Their new development,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-33-hope-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Central</a>, is&nbsp;a $700 million joint venture with PAYCE and will feature a mixed-use project that will deliver around 500 apartments above a substantial 30,000 sqm retail podium anchored by Coles.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289882]</p>

<p>The site’s early stages are already under construction, with completion of the first three towers expected by mid-2027.</p>

<p>Design is led by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner Studio</a>, and the broader precinct will benefit from a new Parramatta Light Rail stop, connecting residents to Olympic Park, Parramatta, and Sydney Metro West in the years ahead.</p>


In this article, we've rounded up the top six new developments across Greater Sydney that has apartments that fall under $800,000 and make sense for first home buyers

Why first home buyers have to act fast in Sydney's new and off the plan apartment market

<p>Longstanding Sydney developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/northland-group">Northland Group</a> has delivered two of the most confidence-boosting signals in the off-the-plan property market: launching their new development well after construction is underway, and securing Resilience Insurance’s 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.</p>

<p>Their latest project, Central Quarter in Merrylands, is already well on track to deliver 194 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, along with a retail and commercial podium, by early to mid-2026.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A major bonus for buyers is that Northland is both the developer and builder, meaning they’re responsible for the full delivery and quality control of the project.</p>

<p>Apartments start from just under $600,000, with two-bedrooms priced from $750,000 — making them particularly popular with first home buyers, who benefit from no stamp duty under the NSW Government’s $800,000 threshold.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=343727]</p>

<p>Each residence features modern finishes, including laminate timber flooring, plush carpeting, and zoned air conditioning in all bedrooms and living areas. Open-plan living and dining areas extend to tiled balconies, maximising natural light and seamless indoor-outdoor living.</p>

<p>Kitchens are equipped with premium Smeg appliances and Villeroy &amp; Boch tapware, while bathrooms offer fully tiled finishes, polished chrome fittings, and soft-close cabinetry.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=343730]</p>

<p>Northland Head of Property, John Soliman, says when the opportunity arose to purchase the Pitt Street site, they said it was the prime location that drove the acquisition.</p>

<p>"Central Quarter is one of the most connected developments in Merrylands&nbsp;— and potentially in all of Western Sydney," Soliman said.</p>

<p>"The building sits directly next to Merrylands Station (just 35 minutes by train to the CBD), the Merrylands bus interchange, and across the road from Stockland Merrylands, home to nearly 200 retailers. It offers everything a modern day buyer would want at their fingertips."</p>

<p>Northland is also bringing new amenity to the base of the building, securing major fast food operators, a 24/7 gym, a childcare centre, and other local service providers to further activate the precinct.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5660 project_image_fid=343732]</p>

<p>The biggest advantage for buyers at Central Quarter is the inclusion of Resilience Insurance’s 10-year Latent Defects Insurance — a major shift in buyer protection and industry transparency.</p>

<p>This structural warranty protects purchasers against significant issues related to structural elements and waterproofing.</p>

<p>Unlike traditional strata bonds, Latent Defects Insurance is purchased by the developer, activated at completion, and includes independent inspections throughout the build — helping to identify and rectify problems before handover.</p>

<p data-end="3669" data-start="3254">[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5660]</p>


Apartments start from just under $600,000, with two-bedrooms priced under $750,000 — making them particularly popular with first home buyers, who benefit from no stamp duty under the NSW Government’s $800,000 threshold.

Northland launches Central Quarter, Merrylands' first new apartment development with Resilience 10-year Latent Defects Insurance

<p>Brighton has long held a special place in Melbourne’s property landscape, renowned for its iconic bathing boxes, pristine beaches, and lively retail strips along Church and Bay Streets. It’s a suburb synonymous with prestige and lifestyle.</p>

<p data-end="500" data-start="303">Yet, for all its allure, Brighton has had a surprising gap in the market: a lack of high-quality townhouses that strike the right balance between apartment-style convenience and house-sized living.</p>

<p data-end="767" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="502">It was a gap that boutique townhouse developer Sloane Property not only identified, but set out to fill. Sloane secured a prime site at 111 Carpenter Street, near North Brighton Station and Bay Street, to deliver just seven exclusive two- and three-level townhouses.</p>

<p><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/1dfEImIKH3k?si=hDTy8gMPKUO4GmF6" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Well under construction and set to welcome buyers later this year, 111 Carpenter has been designed to suit&nbsp;families, downsizers, and professionals looking for the perfect balance of space, style, and location.</p>

<p>Designed by award-winning architecture firm <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/megowan-architectural">Megowan</a>, the homes take full advantage of the site’s northern orientation, allowing natural light to flood into expansive open-plan living areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7517 project_image_fid=218198]</p>

<p>Taylor Dow highlights that what sets this project apart is how well it fits into Brighton’s vibrant fabric.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Each three and four-bedroom townhome is north-facing to capture an abundance of natural light, and they all have landscaped garden courtyards designed by the well-known landscape architect <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>," Dow says.</p>

<p>Just moments from elite schools, retail precincts, parks, and the beach, the location is as practical as it is picturesque.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Sloane identified Carpenter Street as the perfect spot for townhouse living,” Dow adds.</p>

<p>“Residents will be a short walk from Church Street and Bay Street retail and dining strips, several public and private schools, and North Brighton Station, which is only a 20-minute train commute into the city.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=7517 project_image_fid=301405]</p>

<p>With builder <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/virgon-construction">Virgon Constructions</a> nearing completion, buyers won’t have to wait long. The homes are on track for occupancy this September.</p>

<p>Adding further appeal is Sloan’s limited-time offer, allowing purchasers to secure a home with just a five per cent deposit, coupled with significant savings from the Victorian government’s temporary stamp duty abolition.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7517]</p>


Well under construction and set to welcome buyers later this year, 111 Carpenter has been designed to suit families, downsizers, and professionals looking for the perfect balance of space, style, and location

Brighton's missing middle: Inside Sloane's 111 Carpenter townhouses

<p>Having delivered several new townhouse developments to the Noosa region in recent years,&nbsp;Altum Property Group is continuing to create new opportunities where new homes don't tend to exist.</p>

<p>Their latest play is in Rainbow Beach, where <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/altum-property-group">Altum</a> has proposed a new&nbsp;medium-density residential complex just a stone's throw from the shoreline.</p>

<p>The apartment project at 9 Wyvern Road will rise from a prime 7,273 sqm site in the heart of&nbsp;the Rainbow Shores precinct. It will sit within the&nbsp;established Tourist Accommodation Zone that forms part of a broader masterplanned coastal township long envisioned for the area.</p>

<p>Designed to complement its coastal surrounds, the proposed development will comprise 34 apartments in a low-rise format, focused on providing a mix of housing products within an increasingly popular lifestyle-driven location.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/rainbow-beach-qld-4581">Rainbow Beach</a>, once considered a quiet holiday village, has seen a significant rise in demand as more buyers seek regional lifestyle alternatives. The site benefits from its positioning within walking distance to the beach, local cafes, and national parklands.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="9 Wyvern Road, Rainbow Beach" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21b15d35-8022-4504-a561-4db3ac108900" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/9%20Wyvern%20Road%2C%20Rainbow%20Beach%20site.png?VersionId=.ZANGw88uflpg9P91kct_RIhDRdRK5aP" /></p>

<p>Wyvern Road itself is a quiet cul-de-sac, tucked away from the township’s main activity hubs, yet close enough to the Rainbow Beach town centre and major access roads. This offers the sought-after balance between privacy and convenience — something that continues to appeal to both downsizers and coastal movers looking for a tree or sea change.</p>

<p>Altum’s proposal aligns with the Gympie Regional Council’s planning intent for the Rainbow Shores area, with code-assessable approval sought under the Tourist Accommodation Zone. Planning documents suggest the project will avoid significant site disturbance and retain existing vegetation wherever possible — a nod to Altum’s broader commitment to ecological sensitivity and long-term placemaking.</p>

<p>Altum has built a reputation in the Noosa area having recently delivered The Whiteley and Parkridge in Noosa and Indigo Sunshine Beach.</p>

<p>Milestone Property Group's Jeremy Gilmore will handle the sales for Altum, having sold out their Noosa developments.</p>


Rainbow Beach, once considered a quiet holiday village, has seen a significant rise in demand as more buyers seek regional lifestyle alternatives

Villa Blue Waters, Paradise Point relisted at $9.99 million

Staff reporter

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