The Urban Developer

Toga’s Surry Hills Village is unrecognisable from its past as the infamous “Murder Mall”—a shadowy relic of poor urban planning. Fixing that meant more than improving design—it was about transforming the 1.2ha site into somewhere people wanted to stay rather than escape, writes Vanessa Croll. The $500-million “TOGA legacy project” has evolved with SJB to create luxury residences, a boutique hotel with a nod to The Calile in Brisbane, a commercial office hub, a revitalised shopping precinct and inviting public spaces. Find out more | https://zurl.co/2We4b

A Sydney-based developer is planning to build eight townhouses instead of 23 on a site 10km south-east of the Brisbane CBD, writes Phil Bartsch. The riverside hub is emerging from the shadows of its more upmarket neighbours in Brisbane’s east. CPO Architects has designed the contemporary three-storey scheme... Continue reading | https://zurl.co/qCLXY

After “the worst year for developments in the last 20 years” the fundamentals that once made Melbourne a property powerhouse remain intact. Charter Keck Cramer national executive director of research Richard Temlett believes Melbourne is about to rebound strongly. At least five developer groups from Sydney had begun acquiring sites in Melbourne, recognising the value opportunity writes Leon Della Bosca Continue reading | https://zurl.co/Yr0hX

The first highrise build-to-rent tower to get planning approval in Melbourne is making its way through the planning process yet again, writes Marisa Wikramanayake Salta has filed new plans for the 2692sq m site with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning for a 38-storey tower designed by architects Fender Katsalidis. Those plans have now been referred to the City of Melbourne Council where, after a period of exhibition, the Future Melbourne Committee will determine if they support the application or not. Continue reading | https://zurl.co/oGgbZ

Perth loses most affordable capital city status as land prices surge 34% to $329,000 in 2024. Adelaide now leads at $307,000. Despite developers increasing supply (sales up 23%), Perth faces critically low stock levels, writes Leon Della Bosca for The Urban Developer. "While the new land market has been able to ramp up in the last couple of years, it is becoming more complex to bring large swathes of developable land to the market across the Perth Metro region," Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA) executive officer Tanya Steinbeck said. Multi-unit sales hit record lows while prices rose 29%. UDIA forecasts Perth will miss National Housing Accord targets by 117,000 homes, citing environmental constraints and infrastructure issues as key barriers. https://shorturl.at/cYxGl #housing #WesternAustralia #greenfields #property

Andrews Projects has secured approval for South Beach – twin 38-storey wellness-focused towers in the heart of the Gold Coast. The Bates Smart-designed development will feature 394 luxury apartments and 5500sq m of amenities across its long-contested site, which has finally broken ground after previous unrealised development plans, writes Phil Bartsch https://shorturl.at/zxinN #GoldCoastProperty #PropertyDevelopment

"Productivity. That's the egg we have to crack," Altus Group head of development advisory for the Asia-Pacific Niall McSweeney tells The Urban Developer Housing construction productivity has been stagnant for 30 years. The impact? Higher costs passed to consumers, worsening our housing affordability crisis. Australia is already facing a projected shortfall of 462,000 homes by 2029, writes Taryn Paris. McSweeney has strong ideas about how to bridge this gap, "but it's easy to say and very hard to do". https://zurl.co/eS75D #Construction #HousingAffordability #Productivity #LeanConstruction #BuildingInnovation

After hosting music lovers since 2013, North Byron Parklands – home to the legendary Splendour in the Grass festival – has hit the market following two consecutive years of festival cancellations. This massive 229-hectare property, just 15 minutes from Byron Bay's center, is expected to fetch around $35 million and is being marketed as "primed for repurposing", writes Phil Bartsch. https://shorturl.at/I3aT0 #CommercialRealEstate #PropertyDevelopment #ByronBay #InvestmentOpportunity #Hospitality

News brewing from south of Perth, with construction commencing on Long Point Brewing Co, the centrepiece of Place Development's $425-million Kennedy Bay masterplanned community in Port Kennedy. "The Long Point Brewing Co will be the jewel in Kennedy Bay's hospitality precinct," says Place Development. This joins Australia's growing trend of breweries anchoring major placemaking projects, following successful developments like Felons Brewing Co at Howard Smith Wharves and Gage Roads Brew Co at Walyalup Waterfront, writes Clare J Burnett for The Urban Developer https://shorturl.at/NMXvJ #RealEstateDevelopment #Placemaking #CommunityPlanning #Hospitality #PerthDevelopment