Bassar Group's penchant for Broadbeach development is set to continue with its latest apartment play.

Bassar, led by Leo Sarris and Simon Bassil, has filed plans with the Gold Coast City Council for a 33-level tower with 56 half-floor apartments on Anne Avenue, similar to their successful Infinity project which they completed around the corner in 2023 on Surf Parade.

The <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/avva-19-anne-avenue-broadbeach">new tower, Avva</a>, the Greek translation for Anne which reflects Sarris' heritage, will feature a range of amenities on the podium levels, from a lap pool with day beds to a wellness area with a gym, yoga deck, hot and cold plunge, and a sauna and steam room.

Leo Sarris, Bassar Group Director, said the conditions are right for their next installment of luxury in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a>.

"We're excited to announce the next Bassar tower following on from Infinity which sold out before construction completion," Sarris says. They've kept the same design team, with BDA again on board.

"Avva is an edgier and more contemporary cousin to Infinity."

<img alt="Bassar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="022a60d0-d41f-4bb6-a1d2-b5fa874fe134" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-02-28%20at%202.04.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mbXzqdPl9Imy2oiTpptYLOiby5RCbSod" />

Sarris says it's all about finding that sweet spot for both the developer and purchasers.

"We're targeting to provide a product that ticks boxes for location and local amenity to suit our buyers, but also being as simple as possible when it comes to design. If we simplify the design process, and give buyers what they need and not overdo it with unnecessary additional costs, we can then offer a competitive price point.

"We'll still be having large 166 sqm floorplans with three bedrooms, with just two apartments per floor. We know that's what our type of buyer wants after delivering Infinity."

When comparing to the COVID boom which Bassar benefitted from when they were marketing Infinity, Sarris says the landscape on the Gold Coast is now very different.

"Buyers are more savvy now," Sarris says.

"There was a time when buyers would pay anything to get into the Gold Coast market. Now, with the cost of living and increased interest rates, it's not as easy, so you really need to hit the sweet spot in terms of design which then informs the price you can sell the apartment for."

<img alt="Bassar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa2656d9-19db-4677-9d44-9c06f9042ee1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-02-28%20at%202.28.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=BZmL26GBIFeWWs8SCC_e7Zf4SD4Lhkrh" />

Sarris still expects some interest from the southern states, however acknowledging that demographic won't be as prevalent as it was several years ago. Local buyers are likely to dominate sales.

BDA Architecture, who designed Infinity, has been in charge of the architecture for the new project.

They said the new "modernist-inspired tower&nbsp;adopts an angular expression to its form."

<img alt="BDA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8cc038c-7cff-4adb-8827-dc4fc9bfc1f9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-02-28%20at%202.32.06%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=CR58MXSiw4UE2OsET8AH2l0FAPb1DhCd" />

"The tower floor plan is shaped to create striking oblique spatial expression. The tower form offers visually interesting angles to passers-by. The movement and angles reflect the subtle angles of the coastal context."

The new tower at 19 Anne Avenue will replace the 1970s MaxMar apartment block.

GV Property Group's Luke Reaby put the 1,032 sqm site together, amalgamating eight individual owners in the original two-level walk-up.

Leo Sarris, Bassar Group Director, said the conditions are right for their next instalment of luxury in Broadbeach

Joel Robinson

First look: Bassar Group plot next Broadbeach tower

Summary:

<ul>
	<li>Victoria sets housing targets to accommodate 2.24 million new homes by 2051</li>
	<li>70 per cent of Melbourne’s growth directed to established areas, with 30 per cent in outer suburbs</li>
	<li>New planning reforms aim to fast-track approvals and cut delays by 60 per cent</li>
	<li>Property Council supports targets but calls for tax incentives to boost investment</li>
</ul>

<hr />
&nbsp;

The Victorian government has finalised housing targets for councils across the state, outlining where and how many new homes will be built to accommodate an expected 2.24 million additional homes by 2051.

The targets prioritise development in established areas close to jobs, transport, and services, reversing previous trends that saw expansion largely concentrated in outer suburbs.

Under the new plan, 70 per cent of Melbourne’s growth is directed towards established areas, with the remaining 30 per cent allocated to outer suburbs. Regional Victoria is set to account for 25 per cent of all new homes.

The government has ranked council areas based on projected housing growth, with Greater Melbourne councils seeing the most significant increases.

Greater Melbourne’s housing targets are led by the City of Melbourne, expected to grow from 110,100 homes to 229,600 by 2051, an increase of 119,500 homes.

Melton follows closely, with an addition of 109,000 homes, bringing its total to 178,300 by 2051.

Wyndham is set to expand from 109,300 to 208,300 homes, while the City of Casey is projected to add 87,000 homes, taking its total to 218,000.

Other growth areas in Metropolitan Melbourne include:

<ul>
	<li>Whittlesea: 88,100 to 160,100 (+72,000)</li>
	<li>Mitchell Shire Council: 9,700 to 75,700 (+66,000)</li>
	<li>Cardinia: 46,400 to 76,400 (+30,000)</li>
</ul>

In regional Victoria, Greater Geelong is set to accommodate 128,600 new homes, followed by Ballarat with 46,900 and Greater Bendigo with 37,000.

On the lower end of the spectrum, some councils saw reductions from initial projections, with Nillumbik’s target cut from 12,000 to 6,500 additional homes.

Premier Jacinta Allan stated that the revised targets are designed to distribute growth more evenly and ensure affordability across the state.

Councils will be required to demonstrate how they will meet these targets or risk government intervention in planning decisions.

<h2>Planning Reforms to Support Growth</h2>

To support the delivery of housing targets, the government has introduced a Townhouse and Low-Rise Code to fast-track approvals for homes up to three levels.

If a project meets the new code, which sets out criteria such as setbacks, tree coverage, and minimum room sizes, it will be “deemed to comply” and fast-tracked through the system, avoiding lengthy planning delays and third-party appeals at VCAT.

The government expects the new code to significantly reduce planning permit assessment times, cutting delays by at least 60 per cent.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said the reforms aim to streamline approvals for well-designed, sustainable homes that integrate into existing neighbourhoods.

A broader overhaul of the state’s planning system is also underway, with the government pledging to rewrite the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to simplify the process for new housing developments.

Premier Jacinta Allan reinforced the government’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis, stating, “Homes don’t get built when they’re lost in the snakes and ladders of the planning system – so we’re fixing it.”

With Victoria’s housing targets now locked in and planning reforms set to accelerate approvals, the Property Council of Victoria has welcomed the new targets but emphasised the need for tax incentives to encourage investment and ensure housing targets can be met.

Where Melbourne's new homes are going to be built to meet housing targets

Local developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/monaco-property-group">Monaco Property Group</a> has launched the final residences at Capri Villas, the exclusive development on the Isle of Capri, a few months before its expected completion.

Renowned Gold Coast builder Greyburn is well advanced in construction of the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/capri-villas-81-salerno-street-isle-of-capri">48 architecturally designed villas</a> in the private, gated community which is the largest new development on the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/isle-of-capri-qld-4217">Isle of Capri</a> in over three decades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139511 project_image_fid=324090]

Offering something different to the new development market on the Gold Coast, Capri Villas offer low maintenance living while retaining that feeling of living in a house.

The three and four-bedroom villas are spread across a 12,000 sqm community behind a secure gate only accessible by residents and its guests. Once inside the gates, it feels like an American country club, with private roads leading to the villas.

Central to the development, inkeeping with the country club vibe, is a resort-style swimming pools set in extensively landscaped gardens, underneath towering palms. The pool has submerged lounges in the wate and a sundeck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139511 project_image_fid=324093]

Accompanying the central pool will be an outdoor dining terrace with a barbecue pavilion and an indoor residents' lounge, equipped with a built-in bar and kitchen.&nbsp;

The way the homes have been designed, and the level of facilities which were included to foster a sense of community, has seen local downsizer make up the majority of purchases.

The villas feature&nbsp;spacious, open-plan layouts that integrate indoor and outdoor living with high-end finishes such as natural stone benchtops and Gaggenau appliances. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139511 project_image_fid=324097]

Capri Villas are strategically located just&nbsp;800 metres from the dining and retail precinct of Capri on Via Roma.

The first residents are expected to move into Capri Villas in mid-2025.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/qld/from-mosman-to-isle-of-capri-why-sydney-buyers-are-heading-to-the-gold-coast">From Mosman to Isle of Capri: Why Sydney buyers are heading to the Gold Coast</a>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139511]

Offering something different to the new development market on the Gold Coast, Capri Villas offer low maintenance living while retaining that feeling of living in a house

Final release at Capri Villas as construction speeds toward mid-2025 completion

As a developer who has been one of the biggest contributors to the Sydney housing market for over two decades, it would be easy for ALAND Founder Andrew Hrsto to rest on his laurels.

Founded in 2002 by Hrsto from his kitchen table, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> has delivered over 4,000 apartments in the last 22 years, predominantly focused around Sydney’s west, with a further 1,300 currently under construction.

But there’s no slowing down for Hrsto, who remains as hands-on in the business as he was two decades ago when it was just him and a small team of two — who are still part of ALAND today. Now, with over 6,000 apartments in planning and 200 employees across the development and construction sectors, ALAND’s workforce is only expected to grow as the company looks to venture into different market segments.

“First and foremost, our whole company ethos is to look after people,” Hrsto says, referring to both his staff and the buyers of ALAND apartments.

“The obligation is to the buyers, and that has been the foundation of our business from day one. We knew if we did that, then every other element would fall into place.”

Catching up with Andrew recently, he shared a story of a founder who isn’t just “on the tools” metaphorically, but literally. His daily routine involves speaking with local councils, engaging with the community, interacting with apartment buyers, and occasionally donning a hard hat on site.

“We’re a community-focused developer,” Andrew says.

“It was never in our DNA to be anything different. It wouldn’t make sense to us to build something that wasn’t in line with what the community wanted.”

After five years in planning and project management, Hrsto decided to take the leap.

“It was in the late 2000s that we went full end-to-end, handling both development and construction,” Andrew says.

They soon expanded their scope, bringing building management into the fold.

“When we develop, we’re in that building for life,” Andrew adds.

ALAND is well known for delivering more than just buildings — it creates precinct-style communities.

“We started developing multi-stage projects just before COVID, and that allowed us to really plan the whole process. It gave us more room to work with, considering the size of the development site. It enabled us to look beyond just a building and create a community that serves not only our future residents but the whole local area.”

This approach is evident in their multi-stage masterplan for <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/amber-the-gladstone-village-stage-2-228-pitt-st-merrylands">Gladstone Village</a>, where ALAND is delivering over 1,000 apartments to <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/merrylands-nsw-2160">Merrylands</a>, just outside Parramatta.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7642 project_image_fid=283649]

In addition to three buildings offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, Gladstone Village features significant public amenities: a large grass park, an outdoor gym, a kids’ playground with a water play zone, a games area with table tennis tables, a life-sized chess board, and barbecue and alfresco facilities. Residents will also have private access to a rooftop pool, yoga lawns, outdoor cinemas, and a private forest walkway with a dedicated pet zone.

“Gladstone Village really typifies what we want to achieve and are continuing to execute in 2025,” Andrew says.

“While we’re building homes for Western Sydney, there’s more to development nowadays. You have to contribute to the wider public, and that’s what we try to do with every masterplan we put our name to.”

Nearby, ALAND will soon launch Queen Square, on its prime&nbsp;gateway site in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/campbelltown-nsw-2560">Campbelltown</a>.

The abandoned Brands on Sale outlet at 22-32 Queen Street will become a new community with around 558 apartments across five buildings. The two-hectare site will also comprise an Eat Street with retail and hospitality spaces and over 4,000 sqm of publicly accessible space, including a two-level community building with an auditorium, kiosk, and multi-purpose spaces.

<img alt="Queen Square, ALAND" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca46834e-3f49-4be7-b851-4e1135c0c53b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-21%20at%2010.27.09%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=I8Lyc1N5NcWg2vLLZp3yeZaGDQ6EmHv2" />

Many developers stick to what they know, sticking to safer, more familiar paths. Hrsto, however, has a different approach.

In 2022, Andrew and the team stepped out of their comfort zone, acquiring a prime development site in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/gosford-nsw-2250">Gosford</a>, the gateway suburb to the Central Coast. For a developer that had exclusively focused on Sydney’s western suburbs, this was a significant jump—not just geographically, but also in the execution of a new type of development.

“We were probably biting off more than we could chew,” Andrew jokes.

It’s with tenacity and a willingness to learn that ALAND continues to go from strength to strength.

Andrew explained that they approached the Gosford project somewhat blindly, as the approved plans included a hotel component—an area ALAND hadn’t previously ventured into. But Andrew and his team returned to the company’s core values: if they did right by the buyer and the community, the rest would fall into place.

“Gosford proved to be a really interesting test for us as a business, pushing us to branch out and take on something we hadn’t done before, in a region we hadn’t developed in,” Andrew says.

Fast forward two years from site acquisition, and the two-tower development, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/archibald-by-aland-108-donnison-street-gosford">Archibald by ALAND</a>, is nearing completion. With 99 per cent of the apartments already sold, the project is one of the best-selling apartment developments the Central Coast has ever seen.

“We didn’t quite realise how important this building and this site were to the local community,” Andrew says.

“We’ve had locals, who haven’t bought in the building, come up to us and say how transformative this development is for the area and how important it is to the wider community. It’s that kind of feedback that makes you keep going.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134670 project_image_fid=215487]

Archibald by ALAND includes 327 apartments and a 130-room hotel to be run by IHG VOCO, as well as ground-floor hospitality and a rooftop area. During the development and construction phase, Hrsto has also established another new capability for ALAND: an internal hotel management arm.

“A mixed-use hotel and apartment development is now very much something we can run end-to-end, and manage both components of the development well into the future,” Andrew says.

Having seen such success in their first Gosford project, they are now moving ahead with their second: <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/amalfi-by-aland-50-70-mann-street-gosford">Amalfi by ALAND</a>, on Mann Street, which will feature 506 apartments and 9,530 sqm of retail space.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aland-reveals-latest-gosford-mixed-use-development-amalfi-by-aland">First look: ALAND reveals latest Gosford mixed-use development, Amalfi by ALAND</a>

ALAND is also venturing into the build-to-rent sector. They have acquired the final three buildings in Skyview, the five-tower <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> development that had been partially completed by the troubled developer, Top Place.

ALAND will now focus on the most advanced building, which is around 80 per cent complete, undertaking remediation works before offering the apartments for rent. They will then shift their attention to the final two buildings, which were little more than holes in the ground at the time of acquisition.

ALAND’s 2025 development pipeline is as robust as ever, with diversified developer planning projects across traditional build-to-sell, build-to-rent, co-living, student accommodation, hotel, and hospitality sectors.

“2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for us,” Andrew says.

“We’re taking on new challenges, pushing the boundaries, diversifying our offering, and delivering projects that set a new standard in the industry. I’m excited to see the hard work of our team come to life, and to continue contributing to the communities we serve.”

ALAND is well known for delivering more than just buildings — it creates precinct-style communities

The story behind ALAND, one of Sydney’s most prolific apartment developers

Developer Golden Age has started to welcome buyers to its recently completed Glen Waverley townhouse development, Floret.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-townhouses/floret-glen-waverley-583-ferntree-gully-road-glen-waverley">Floret</a>, 77 townhouse designed by Rothelowman, is Glen Waverley's largest townhouse community. The majority of two and three-level townhouses are spoken for.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=104680 project_image_fid=207725]

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/golden-age-group">Golden&nbsp;Age</a>&nbsp;Development Director,&nbsp;Damien Hehir, highlighted the strong market response, noting that Floret delivers what Glen Waverley buyers are looking for.

“These luxury townhomes are in demand as we are catering to what the market and neighbourhood needs," Hehir says.

"Glen Waverley is dominated by family homes, and the success from our completed <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/glen-waverley-vic-3150">Glen Waverley</a> project,&nbsp;Sky Garden, lends to our track record with Floret in providing the neighbourhood with architecturally designed residences, curated for several buyer demographics.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=104680 project_image_fid=207713]

Designed by&nbsp;Rothelowman and Aspect Studios, the two and three-level townhomes provide flexible, multi-generational living.&nbsp; Some&nbsp;of&nbsp;the townhomes come with ground-level ensuite bedrooms offering private courtyard access, while the upper floors create a seamless blend&nbsp;of&nbsp;communal and private spaces.

The 1,000 sqm landscaped central park, featuring a walking track, fitness station, children’s play area, and barbecue facilities, is anticipated to be completed by&nbsp;April 2025.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=104680 project_image_fid=207730]

With an entry price&nbsp;of&nbsp;$1.36 million for a four-bedroom townhome, Floret has attracted young families, downsizers, and first-home buyers looking for a premium lifestyle in a prime location. Positioned near Monash University, The Glen Shopping Centre and in close proximity to the upcoming SRL Monash train station, the development offers both convenience and connectivity.

Construction at&nbsp;583 Ferntree Gully Road&nbsp;remains on track, with&nbsp;final completion scheduled for Q2 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=104680]

Construction at 583 Ferntree Gully Road remains on track, with final completion scheduled for Q2 2025

Economist Saul Eslake departs BoAML

Jonathan Chancellor

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