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A Melbourne buyer looking to escape the city amid the COVID crisis has splashed $12.5 million on a sprawling resort-style estate, setting a new main river record.

The contract on the luxury 3300 sqm holding at 249-255 Monaco Street went unconditional today in one of the biggest deals on the Gold Coast so far this year.

249-255 Monaco Street, Broadbeach Waters has sold for $12.5 million.

The sale tops the $12.45m paid for 15 Southern Cross Drive, Cronin Island in June for the luxury mansion which was once home to Billabong International CEO Matthew Perrin.

Marketed as a world-class property asset, the neo classic Monaco Street residence, known as Villa Cantarocco, drew worldwide interest during a 90-day campaign.

“We had 212 inquiries through our campaign, with interest from Europe and three significant buyers out of Melbourne,” said Savills Gold Coast Director Christopher Jones, who led the campaign with Aydan Mullin.

“There were two offers on the same day, one from Sydney and the other from Melbourne, which were fairly close.”

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A Melbourne couple plans to relocate to the Broabeach Waters estate.

The Melbourne buyers, introduced by Rebecca Moffrey of The Professionals Mermaid Beach, are relocating to the Gold Coast in what has become a fast-growing trend.

Mr Jones said another Melbourne couple had purchased 165 Monaco Street for $3.1 million and Sydney and Melbourne buyers were circling a four-bedroom house at 155 Monaco Street.

“There’s definitely a change in appetite, related to COVID-19, among people wanting to get out of those high population areas,” he said.

“The Gold Coast has always been the number one postcode for internal migration in Australia but this has just made it more attractive.”

Villa Cantarocco drew worldwide interest.

The five-bedroom Villa Cantarocco boasts 43 metres of prime river frontage as well as a 17m swimming pool, pontoon, jetty and a six-car garage.

The sale is the latest in a string of prestige property deals on the Gold Coast this year, led by the $25 million sale of Breakfree founder Tony Smith’s Mermaid Beach mansion in May.

The same month Simon and Tah-nee Beard – the couple behind Gold Coast streetwear giant Culture Kings – paid $11.75 million for a Bali-inspired mansion on Isle of Capri.

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No. 3 Butler Place in Campbell is up for sale.

The chance to buy a home in this quiet cul-de-sac only pops up once in a blue moon, but when a new family moves in, it’s usually for “the long haul”.

Butler Place in Campbell is at the city end of the blue-chip suburb, in walking distance to Lake Burley Griffin, the Canberra CBD and good schools.

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Samantha Granter, of Belle Property, Kingston, said the five-bedroom home at number 3 is a “perfect example of classic Campbell real estate”, built in 1966.

Modern updates have improved the property.

The kitchen.

“It’s in a cul-de-sac of only seven homes and all have [recently] transacted, bar one. It sounds like they’re all going to be in it for the long haul; a second generation settling in,” Ms Granter said.

“Butler Place is tightly held and has a community feel. This is a very attractive house from the street with a pretty unique brick facade.

“The size of the home and the rear gazebo pergola are also appealing aspects.”

Modern updates have improved the functionality of the charming mid-century interior, including a renovated kitchen with stone benchtops, stainless-steel appliances, a dishwasher and ample storage space.

Street appeal.

Of the five bedrooms, two have charming bay window seats and all have built-in robes.

The generous layout also includes separate lounge, dining and family rooms, an enclosed sunroom, two bathrooms and a front veranda.

A large backyard deck and pergola elevates the outdoor entertaining capability, with plenty of established gardens and lawns to enjoy on the 994sqm block.

The house goes to auction on August 22.

Other features include a double carport with internal access, ducted heating and cooling and a storage cellar.

No. 3 Butler Place will go to auction on Saturday 22 August at 11am.

The post Chance to join ‘second generation’ in tightly held Campbell cul-de-sac appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Tradies could suffer for a decade as a result of COVID-19 as fewer homes are built faster and at lower cost.

Coronavirus’ after effects will be felt across Australia’s home building industry for a decade to come.

But for those wanting a new house, the virus legacy is expected to mean faster construction and cheaper prices in the next few years.

A new Housing Industry Association economic and industry outlook report released today has flagged new housing starts will still be 28,000 behind pre-COVID-19 expectations by 2030.

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The report predicts just 172,000 new home starts across Australia that year, far below the 234,000 build peak set in 2016.

In the short-term, the numbers will drop from about 173,000 builds nationwide in the past financial year, to 139,700 for this coming financial year which began on July 1.

Mid-term, the figures are forecast at 163,500 in the 2023-2024 financial year.

The forecasts are not good for builders nationwide, except in Western Australia.

HIA chief Tim Reardon said it would be the worst year in seven years, though much better than it would have been without HomeBuilder, with forecasts showing new home builds would have fallen to just 115,000 without the federal government’s $25,000 grants scheme.

The silver-lining for those wanting to build a new home in the coming years is fewer projects mean builders will be more competitive on prices and complete projects faster.

“But it doesn’t change the fact that we’re in a recession now,” Mr Reardon said.

Rather than further government spending, HIA is suggesting the government review prudential and corporate regulations to make borrowers with a 10 per cent deposit more attractive to banks.

“Improving access to finance was one of the major reasons we saw the economy accelerate out of the 1990s recession,” Mr Reardon said.

It also coincided with a rise in population growth.

HIA believe changes to home lending could help support their industry without further government spending.

Housing finance figures cited by Mr Reardon show buyers with a 10 per cent deposit accounted for 7 per cent of the loan market today, but more than 20 per cent prior to the global financial crisis.

A 20 per cent deposit was largely only achievable for those who already owned a home and first-home buyers were finding it increasingly difficult to make a start, Mr Reardon said.

An extension to the First Home Deposit Scheme could also facilitate further construction.

He noted that their projections would sideline international migration until the government clarified when it could resume.

New housing construction forecasts are now being reined in for the decade to come.

However, Blueways Group development director Andrew Wyatt said he believed COVID-19 would merely pause international demand to live in Australia in the short term and it could return substantially after the crisis.

“I still look at other countries and say we are in very, very good territory for managing the virus,” Mr Wyatt said.

“And I think long-term families will look at that and think of the island nations of Australia and New Zealand, which will be an underlying force for migration.”

Mr Wyatt said while a post-coronavirus world would likely mean more expensive materials, builders would face more competition as new build numbers declined.

Apartment construction will face the brunt of the coming year’s reductions, plunging from 71,600 to just 42,100 in the space of the current financial year. Melbourne and Sydney will be worst affected, down almost 13,000 in Melbourne alone.

Larger apartment project numbers are expected to bear the brunt of the construction recession. Picture: David Caird.

New housing starts are expected to decline a more moderate 3.7 per cent to 97,600 — which is still the lowest number in seven years.

Victoria is forecast to see 16,368 fewer homes built this financial year than last.

NSW new home construction will fall 13,753.

In Queensland a 2,046 home construction decline is expected.

South Australia’s numbers are tipped to drop about 1,572, while Tasmania will build about 470 fewer new homes.

WA is the only state where construction is expected to rise, with a 1748 new home increase tipped.

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The post COVID-19 to make it cheaper and faster to build new homes, but tradies face decade of pain appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Pete Evans (left) is selling his Malabar home. Picture: Christian Gilles

Celebrity chef Pete Evans and his wife Nicola Robinson have put their luxury southeastern Sydney home up for sale.

The pair built the five-bedroom Malabar property just 18 months ago with a number of opulent features, including a skateboard half-pipe, a lap pool, four-person spa and even a gym.

As expected, the kitchen is at the heart of the home while there is also an edible garden with herbs.

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Stunning interiors.

A relaxing retreat for the whole family.

Pete Evans and Nicola Robinson. Source: Instagram

Peter Goulding and Theo Karangis of NG Farah real estate have a $3.2 million price guide ahead of a September 12 auction.

The controversial Evans is selling up ahead of a move to the NSW north coast, where he has a multimillion-dollar health retreat. He will soon be opening a healing clinic in Byron’s new commercial precinct, The Habitat.

Backyard fun for the whole family.

A huge bench in the kitchen.

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Perfectly suited to active families, the home, on a 588sqm block, also has a wellness studio with infrared sauna and a tea room, while there are Tesla solar panels and a powerwall in the double garage.

The lap pool.

The huge main bedroom.

The original property was purchased by Evans and Robinson in 2014 for $1.27 million before it was knocked down and rebuilt.

Earlier in the year the couple sold their other Malabar home in an off-market deal worth $2.76 million.

The post Celebrity chef Pete Evans lists Malabar home with $3.2m guide appeared first on realestate.com.au.

129 Dorset Road, Croydon has been popular since hitting the market with a $660,000-$715,000 price guide.

Buyers are lining up to view this Croydon house that’s “a little bit different” — but they’ll have to wait a few weeks to get through the front door.

The retro house at 129 Dorset Road racked up more than 7200 views on realestate.com.au in its first 10 days on the market.

The was well above Victoria’s average of 1205 view per listing — remarkable given the property was listed with a $660,000-$715,000 price guide days into Melbourne’s stage four lockdown, during which physical home inspections are banned.

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The home’s cool design has attracted plenty of buyer interest.

The house was designed by architect Hank Romyn.

Hocking Stuart Ringwood selling agent Travis Milton said the three-bedroom pad’s online popularity had translated to dozens of calls from buyers asking to come see it.

“You can only imagine how many people I’ve got ringing me saying, ‘I’ve got some time free tomorrow’,” he said.

“But we can’t get anyone through at the moment. I’m going to be a very busy boy when lockdown ends.”

Mr Milton said despite this roadblock, the owners of six years had opted to list the home now rather than wait until the end of stage four, in case anyone was willing to snap it up sight-unseen.

The galley-style kitchen has a walk-in pantry.

This window is a design highlight.

He said the 1986 build’s striking design by architect Hank Romyn was catching buyers’ eyes, thanks to its in-vogue “mid-century feel” that was enhanced by a curved floor-to-ceiling window.

“People like something a bit unique, rather than say a run-of-the-mill ’70s brick veneer house,” he said.

“It’s also on a lovely (965sq m) sized block, and you can walk to Croydon’s main street shops and the train station.”

The property features three bedrooms.

A sauna is a surprise feature.

A light-filled, split-level living and dining zone serves as the centrepiece of the home, featuring a fireplace, timber ceilings, and a galley-style kitchen with a walk-in pantry.

This space is flanked by bedrooms on either side, including a main with an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe.

Other standout features include a double garage, a large deck with a spa, and a sauna from the property’s previous life as a beauty salon.

The home’s affordable price point also made it attractive to first-home buyers and investors, Mr Milton said.

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The property also features a deck and outdoor spa.

samantha.landy@news.com.au

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This period charmer packs plenty of cool character.

The perfect pandemic pad has hit the market in West Footscray, featuring a slick home office, built-in bar, and mezzanine level with a “whisky bar” area and “PlayStation room”.

A cute California bungalow facade opens into a cool contemporary space that could almost be a warehouse conversion at 17 Hansen Street, on the market for $1.675-1.775m.

Village Real Estate agent Huss Saad said the three-bedroom property had been transformed by the sellers — who run Black Door Building — as their own home, so “no expenses were cut”.

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The slick property could be a warehouse conversion.

The home office looks across the open-plan space.

Expanses of glass let light flood in.

“Everything is finished to the highest of standards,” he said.

“At the back the ceiling height is just huge — it feels like a hall. It does have that industrial feel to it with an exposed brick chimney and polished concrete floors, which just top it off … they’re heated, which a lot of people don’t expect in the inner west.”

Soaring high ceilings provide a sense of ample space.

Luxe finishes in the high-end kitchen.

CoreLogic photos show the property when it last sold in 2014.

This space became a bedroom.

Things have changed a bit.

Mr Saad said the stylish pad was in his “top five” renovated homes he’d seen in the area.

“You don’t expect people to renovate a period home and give it that sort of industrial edge, whereas these guys have done that without ruining the front end of house,” he said.

“There’s a clear separation between old and new and it complements it perfectly.”

High-end materials used include the terrazzo concrete flooring, solid American oak cabinetry in the kitchen and bar, specifically sourced marble with pink flecks, and expanses of glass.

The versatile mezzanine has been set up with a bed, “whisky bar” and “PlayStation room”.

Professional landscapers created the incredible backyard with covered entertainment deck, while a location on a tree-lined street in the Kingsville Primary School zone topped it off.

Mac attack.

The mezzanine has been used as a guest bedroom, and a “whisky bar”.

A dated bedroom before the transformation.

Old school dining.

Mr Saad said the couple worked from home, adding that dedicated home office spaces and nicely renovated, spacious homes were increasingly sought as COVID unfolded.

“In the last five or six months or so during COVID we’ve had a higher amount of people come to us and say ‘if isolation is going to be a long-term thing then we want to find the house that we can feel comfortable spending a lot of time in’,” he said.

“For properties like this, well renovated larger homes in the area, if anything prices are increasing, they’ve become more popular.

“There’s talk of the real estate market tapering off, but there are markets within markets and properties like this continue to be in demand.”

CoreLogic records show the property last sold for $640,000 in 2014.

The stylish outdoor area could be the beer garden of a cool bar.

The backyard before the renovation.

The facade as pictured in 2014.

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scott.carbines@news.com.au

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Key tenancies are up for lease in the prominent Mermaid Beach precinct.

Key tenancies within a prominent Mermaid Beach commercial precinct including Sizzler, a medical centre and a former cinema have been advertised for lease.

The Sizzler space at 2506 Gold Coast Highway is being marketed as ‘The Best Retail Space in Mermaid Beach. First Time on the Market in 35 Years’.

Leasing agent Ricky Mahuika said he couldn’t comment on “whether they’re [Sizzler] staying or they’re going”, citing commercial in confidence.

Sizzler has long been a family favourite on the Gold Coast.

Sizzler has long been a family favourite on the Gold Coast, offering buffet-style dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner sessions seven days a week.

The Mermaid Beach outlet is one of nine Sizzler restaurants remaining in Australia, including Caboolture, Loganholme, Maroochydore, and Toowoomba in Queensland, Campbelltown in NSW and Innaloo, Kelmscott and Morley in Western Australia.

The 650 sqm restaurant has a high-profile position fronting the Gold Coast Highway with neighbours including KFC, a medical centre and pharmacy.

The Mermaid Cinema Centre in its heyday.

Listed as price on application, ‘Negotiable COVID-19 Rental Incentives’ are being offered for the stand-alone Sizzler site along with two neighbouring tenancies.

Also up for lease is the former Mermaid Cinema Centre, another landmark located at 2507 Gold Coast Highway.

First opened in the early 1980s, the complex was at one point the largest cinema in Queensland with five theatres seating up to 1600 people.

With McDonalds, KFC, Sizzler and the Putt-Putt Golf all nearby, the cinema precinct became a popular entertainment and dining hotspot for Gold Coast families.

Two cinemas are being offered for lease in original condition.

The Mermaid Beach cinema closed in 2002, following the opening of new cinemas at Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre.

Tenancy on two 750 sqm movie theatres in original condition are now being offered for lease for the first time in 18 years.

Featuring the original layout and art deco styling, the space could be reconfigured for laser tag, south booths or other retail options, according to the listing.

A tenancy is also available inside the St George on Mermaid Beach Medical Centre.

A 821 sqm space at 1/2509 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach is also advertised for lease.

Allied health professionals have been named as suitable tenants to complement the existing Mermaid Beach Chempro Chemist and St George on Mermaid Beach Medical Centre, which opened earlier this month.

The post Iconic Mermaid Beach Sizzler restaurant space listed for lease appeared first on realestate.com.au.

More than 1100 Victorians have commenced online applications for HomeBuilder.

More than 1100 Victorians have applied for the $25,000 HomeBuilder grants in the past week.

Despite the rapid uptake, even with Melbourne under a stage four lockdown, industry groups are warning they will need an extension of the federal government’s $680m scheme to avert a builder “bloodbath” as a result of COVID-19.

It comes as the state has expanded the list of specialist trades allowed to work between up to three sites a week from 22 to 46, now including bricklayers who were initially excluded.

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Since HomeBuilder’s Victorian web portal went online on August 10 it has received 1127 applications.

The State Revenue Office of Victoria has also confirmed 15,000 people have registered interest in the scheme in the past month.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said the figures reinforced the program’s role in supporting the building and construction industry as well as young homebuyers.

The high uptake is a good sign for construction workers, but may not be enough, according to the industry groups.

“Victorians looking to access a HomeBuilder grant won’t need to worry they’ll miss out, with the State Revenue Office providing a blanket three-month extension to the construction commencement requirement,” Mr Pallas said.

Master Builders Association Victorian chief executive Rebecca Casson said the early numbers showed “how effective this grant could be over the next 12 months, if extended”.

“We’re dealing immediately with trying to keep our industry open day by day in Victoria, and that means issues like an extension of HomeBuilder become even more important in the future,” Ms Casson said.

“Every day of a scaled-down building and construction industry is an economic blow, so we’re looking to work with the federal and state government to extend the stimulus and speed up the process for concepts like HomeBuilder in Victoria or else the economic effects from these current restrictions will be felt for more years to come.”

The Master Builders Association’s national arm on Monday warned the industry faced a “bloodbath” if the scheme was not extended.

The grants apply for substantial renovations as well as new home construction.

Federal opposition housing spokesman Jason Clare said the housing industry group predictions were a sign more needed to be done to save tradies’ jobs, reaffirming calls for more social housing to be built, more affordable rental homes to be built for frontline workers and an expansion of the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.

Bricklayers have been joined by heritage specialists, insulation installers and landscape architects on the list of two dozen additional trades now cleared to move between up to three sites a week.

The update follows several tweaks to building industry restrictions that are keeping the pilot light on, including limiting new house construction to five people on site, and larger sites to 25 per cent of their workforce.

Bricklayers now have the green light to move between up to three sites a week.

Building lobby groups are pushing to clarify the position of unskilled labourers and whether they will be able to commence working at a new home site if they have worked at another during Melbourne’s stage four lockdown.

HomeBuilder grants are available for those who sign a contract to build a new home for less than $750,000, or renovations between $150,000 and $750,000, between June 4 and December 31 this year. Further income restrictions apply.

Work must commence within six months of the contract being signed, after the Victorian SRO commissioner provided a blanket extension to the original three month timeline after COVID-19 forced Melbourne into a stage four lockdown earlier this month.

HomeBuilder applications can be made here.

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Shell Cove is undergoing a transformation with fresh amenities bringing a new level of harbourfront living.

A great project breathes new life into its location and wider region, while also pushing the boundaries of architecture and design. The Waterfront at Shell Cove is stamping its mark on the NSW South Coast.

Developed by Shellharbour City Council, with Frasers Property, the project is releasing the next stage in its vision for the future of Shell Cove – the harbourfront Nautilus building.

The radial design of Nautilus allows nearly every apartment the opportunity to capture a view.

“The project to bring a publicly accessible piece of marine infrastructure that will become a landmark place and deliver a new level of amenity, not only for Shell Cove but for the entire South Coast Region, has been underway for more than 20 years” says Simone Dyer, Frasers Property Australia’s development director.

“And as a global property business, we bring a tier one development expertise to a regional location to deliver on the vision that Shellharbour City Council has for their region.”

Designed for living

The luxury harbourfront apartment building, Nautilus at The Waterfront shows how architecture and design can bring a ‘wow’ factor.

Comprising two buildings and positioned on a small headland fronting the 270-berth Shellharbour Marina, Nautilus features an organic, curved shape architectural design with views across the marina and out to the Pacific Ocean.

“Its continuous curve allows the majority of apartments to have a water-facing aspect and incredible, uninterrupted views,” says Dyer.

The interiors are designed to maximise the views too, with floor-to-ceiling glazed windows, many featuring dual balconies. Luxurious finishes complement the stunning vistas.

Nautilus’ resort-style amenities include a pool, a residents-only gym, yoga deck and a rooftop terrace.

Life on the waterfront

Surrounded by a new 2.5km foreshore promenade and boardwalk, the harbourfront community is part of a major, coastal masterplanned residential and commercial development.

With a position fronting the harbour and the beach a short walk away, proximity to the water is a big drawcard. But attention to liveability and community amenities is a key factor in finding a great place to live, says Nerida Conisbee, realestate.com.au chief economist.

“If you are looking to move, water is a big factor,” says Conisbee. “But when you have a look at what people really want, it’s places that are walkable, with easy access to cafes and restaurants, and decent shops.”

Nautilus is part of a ‘walkable neighbourhood’ design for the area – where everything is at your fingertips within a short walk.

A world-class 270-berth marina is set to open in 2021.

New local amenities, including Shellharbour Marina, town centre, foreshore dining and The Waterfront Tavern, library and community centre, harbourside parks, playgrounds and lookouts, are within a walkable distance. As are local natural wonders, such as Bass Point, Killalea State Park, Shellharbour South Beach, the Southern Highlands and the Pacific Ocean.

“It’s really a highly connected community with every amenity you could possibly ever need to live a really enriched lifestyle,” Dyer says.

“There are strong health benefits in being able to step out of your front door and have a really connected network of cycle paths, walkways to public open space, the boat harbour and beaches.”

There is also a local community development manager, as well as a place-maker to coordinate events for residents and the local community, such as markets, outdoor cinemas, pop-up library, book club, fitness classes and community gardens.

“When you do move to The Waterfront, Shell Cove, you can straight away build your social network – which is very important,” Dyer says.

A shore thing

A waterfront position is only as good as the supporting infrastructure around it.

Located just 90km south of Sydney’s southern suburbs and with easy access to Shellharbour, Wollongong and Sydney’s CBD, universities and trains, the location will appeal to owner-occupiers and weekenders alike.

Nautilus’ resort-style amenities include a pool, a residents-only gym, yoga deck and a rooftop terrace.

“This project is very unique in terms of what is being provided,” Conisbee says.

“This area is a very popular region of New South Wales. It does have local job opportunities and there’s a lot of investment, which will really help maintain value.”

Dyers says that Nautilus will be a new landmark for the region.

“There’s nowhere really else on the eastern seaboard of Australia that I can think of quite like it,” says Dyer.

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