Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe US private equity powerhouse Blackstone has decided the time is right to divest one of Sydney’s best-known malls the first retail property it acquired in the Australian market With a value estimated around the $600 million mark, the mall at Ryde was once a key component in a $3 billion portfolio of 10 shopping centres that Blackstone had once hoped to sell off through either a float or a mega trade sale, nine years ago. SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Read MoreShopping centresRetail propertyLatest In CommercialFetching latest articles sfogliatelle and excellent chicken schnitzel sandwiches Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime the main strip of Norton Street buzzed with a cornucopia of traditional pasticceria and coffee bars serving heart-detonating espresso in two-gulp tazzina cups generation shifts and the demise of restaurant hub The Forum not to mention two decades of metered parking have dampened Leichhardt’s buon divertimento fruity and custard-filled Italian pastries zeppole and bomboloni – that cavalcade of baked goods stretching from crispy curly pastry filled with sweet ricotta cream to buxom sugar-dusted fried dough balls injected with strawberry jam All washed down with crema-topped ristretto or a liquor-edged caffe corretto as the rum-soaked tiramisu slid headily into view Outside the North Ryde shop.Wolter PeetersAdvertisementOf course but there’s strong competition in Haberfield in the city’s north-west suburb of North Ryde a sweet-toothed Italian cafe sits in a stretch of quiet shops Fronted by a gleaming blue-and-white tiled frontage and massive windows showcasing pastries Maggio’s is a traditional family-run cafe and pasticceria established by three brothers The first Maggio’s opened in Cammeray in 1998; the North Ryde store launched just six months ago It’s a slice of Italy levered nimbly into an everyday suburban shopping strip the store thrums with the energy of a Roman town square waking to the day Maritozzi raspberry.Wolter PeetersLocals lining up at the long glass front counter are ordering sticky still-warm hot cross buns and three flavours of maritozzi the fat-sliced icing-dusted dough buns filled here with raspberry there are pert chantilly cream-filled sponge cakes Tables inside and out teem with pre-commuters and chattering school kids from the primary school across the road the very place the three Ryde-raised Maggio brothers were taught as children but mouths left and right are smudged with icing sugar People walk to buses and school with just-baked croissants custard tarts and delicate sfogliatelle in their hands Maggio’s also has a substantial sit-down breakfast and lunch area with tables both tiny and mammoth and a wall crammed with framed mid-century poster art and photos of family members spanning generations and backyards in Italy and Australia Apronned staff provide old-school hospitality ushering customers to chairs as they whizz between tables with unruffled charm Pizza al taglio.Wolter PeetersThe table menu offers Italian breakfast and lunch standards from the chilli kick of picante scrambled eggs served with grilled broccolini and feta to the day’s pizza al taglio six traditional pastas and a range of sandwiches including a very fine cotoletta di pollo the chicken schnitzel layered with pickled fennel green slaw and Calabrian chilli sauce on a toasted brioche bun a 26-year staple of the Cammeray store and cooked from the Maggio brothers’ grandmother’s recipe Andrew Maggio recalls childhood Sunday mornings savouring the dish’s eggs before wiping the plate clean with bread – nowadays door stopper-sized toasted ciabatta slices is a precise and pretty layering of cherry tomatoes smashed avocado and feta on soy linseed sourdough The new Maggio’s feels fresh-faced in quiet North Ryde warm service and the bonanza of traditional pastries signal an old Italian soul worth visiting Head baker Kim Fulko Lim built his Italian pastry and bread skills at Maggio’s and Black Star Pastry before co-founding this beloved south-west Sydney bakery and monthly varieties of fruit-topped chantilly-filled flaky croissant pastry Shop 7, 180 Argyle Street, Camden, b85artisanbakery.com.au of Good Food-hatted Bondi Beach trattoria Da Orazio oversees superb Italian pastries here – traditional and innovative swirling rouge of a strawberry and matcha croissant and order their colomba 200 Euston Road, Alexandria, daoraziopasticceria.com.au Josh Niland of Good Food’s 2025 Restaurant of the Year favouring the brioche bun with icing sugar eaten out from in the sun on an Italian-designed stool 129 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point, fiorebread.com Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. This seaside fish shop may sell the best fish 𝄒n𝄒 chips in the statePortions are generous but it’s good to get in early before fish sell out at this small, smart and no-fuss old-school British-style chippy. Visit this shopping strip eatery for a soup Anthony Bourdain once called the ‘greatest in the world’It’s worth trawling the menu at bustling Bankstown eatery VBites for Hue and Central Vietnamese dishes not often found in Sydney restaurants. This petrol-station food truck on Parramatta Road is serving some of Sydney’s best tacosThe lines are long, but Papi’s slow-cooked, spice-throbbing beef folded into cheesy tacos are worth the wait and messy hands. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) By Eliza Wregg first published at 31 March 2025 - 3:25 pm A North Ryde resident or visitor has jumped into the week as a newly-minted multi-millionaire after scoring $2.5 million in the weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw but first they need to check their ticket and discover the life-changing news The mystery ticketholder held one of the eight division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Lotto draw 4559 Each division one winning entry pocketed $2.5 million If the winner had been part of The Lott Members Club and registered their ticket to a player card or online account they would have already been alerted to their good fortune officials from The Lott are eagerly waiting for the ticketholder to check their ticket and come forward The winning entry was purchased at Nextra Macquarie Centre The Lott spokesperson Khat McIntyre said she hoped the region’s latest division one winner checked their ticket and came forward soon “Our mystery winner is likely oblivious to the fact they’ve won $2.5 million in the weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw,” she said “We’re encouraging anyone who purchased a Saturday Lotto ticket from Nextra Macquarie Centre to check their tickets today “Just imagine how thrilling it would be to discover you were $2.5 million richer Your plans for the rest of the year and into the future would change in a moment “If you discover you’re holding the golden ticket contact The Lott on 131 868 to begin the prize claim process.” The winning numbers in Saturday Lotto draw 4559 on 29 March 2025 were 36 while the supplementary numbers were 24 and 30 there were eight division one winning entries in Saturday Lotto draw 4559 – two each in Queensland The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 354 so far in FY25 including 96 won by NSW Lotteries customers Saturday Lotto created 149 millionaires across Australia During this time there were 316 division one winning Saturday Lotto entries across Australia that collectively won more than $400.2 million Home | News | MAJOR PENNANT FINALS: It’s all Blue as NSW GC Claim Major Pennant Metropolitan Major Pennant Finals are underway at Riverside Oaks Five Mens Divisons and the Womens Major Pennant will be decided today CLICK HERE FOR LEADERBOARD LINK NSW GC have claimed a record 13th Metropolitan Major Pennant title with a 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 win over the 2024 title holders Concord Golf Club at Riverside Oaks today.On a day that saw everything from bright sunlight to a fierce southerly halt play for a small period of time the youthful side from La Perouse held their composure tou outlast their – on paper at least- more experienced opponents Warwick Dews was delighted with the team and how they had performed but throughout the season overall.“They are such a talented group we’ve just gone through a rebuild at the course so we had to play all of our home games away,” Dews said ” It’s an honour to be associated with the future of Australian golf Asked about what they could achieve in the future said it was all in front of them.“Future It’s whatever they want to put into it Some of these guys are some of the best I’ve seen in the last decade so let’s see what happens.”As a win for the a club of the stature of NSW within the sport Dews said victory in a competition as revered as the Major Pennant was integral to the club’s view of who they are.“It’s an important part of our club’s story RESULTS – DIVISION ONEJye Halls Tied with Coby CarruthersKayun Mudadana Def Blake Phillips 3/2Jake Riley Def Ti Fox 3/2Ali Rachid Def Kade Webber 1 UpHarry Bolton Lost To Chase Thorpe 5/4Blake Hodges Def Bo Chung 4/3James Domazetovski Lost to Matthew Thomas 2 Up The Australian Golf Club’s Women’s Team have made it an amazing six straight Women’s Crowns with an enthralling display of golf this afternoon 4/1.Despite many observers view that the Kensington women were the overwhelming favourites shows real purpose to ensure the match was a walkover said the result was never taken for granted by the squad but she acknowledged in a final anything could happen RELATED LINKS: WOMENS FINAL SCORES “This has been six hard fought seasons,” Kennedy said “The girls come back each year and they still want to play their best and they never get complacent.”“We always knew anything could happen today bath thew were a few matches which were quite tight and a Bonnie Doon put on good fightback.” one of Australia’s greatest female amateurs seeing her squad develop not just as accomplished golfers but genuinely warm and weel respected individuals was what mattered.“It’s so much fun seeing them develop as people and I’m just excited to be part of it with them.” surviving a withering comeback from Bonnie Doon to take out the DIvision II Pennant in a nailbiter.With two matches requiring an extra hole who locked up his point with a superlative pitch shot to gimme disatace to all but assure the Ryde unit of the match It was put to bed moments later when Tom Crockert made his par on the last toe defeat Bart Carroll 1 up.One fo the Squad’s FIVE managers stating it was a collective effort from a group of guys determined to leave little to chance.“The Camaraderie of this lot is fantastic,” Woodley grinned “We are little club with a lot of pride and a lot of effort goes into running this.”Woodley said the wait for a major flag of some sort had been a long time coming for the club returning to Diviison I from next year was also the focus.“I think number one was the flag but ( returning to ) division one was also what we wanted.”Woodley said the plans for celebrating back at the club were well advanced that there would be at least 200 or so back at the club.“There’ll be plenty back there,” he grinned.RESULTS – DIVISION TWOJackson Fennell Def Josh Bell 3/2Tom Crockart Def Bart Carroll 1 UPJoseph Lin Lost to Warren Sellors 4/2Alex Sghabe Def Jess Colquhoun 19thAlistair McKie Lost to Dan Christian 4/3Michael Hooper Def Joey Doran 2/1Luke Cincotta Lost to Jones Comerford 19th A wait of about 20 years came to an end for Cabramatta today with a hard fought win over Eastlake in the Division three final.Sargon Hilaney the Cabramatta Team manager said the win brought him an immense amount of pride.“I’m really proud to manage these guys They are a good team wiht a mix of young and old players Watching them do it for themselves has been great.”HIlaney said the mere act of getting to the final was a fantastic result for the team did post two halved contests during the round robin stages.“To get to the final was an achievement We had a tied match against Killara we could have won.”With Division Two now beckoning Hilaney said he felt the side would rise to the challenge.“It’s going to be tough Hopefully the boys will get into a routine practice hard and make the step up.” Results: Division ThreeKeston Cummings Lost to Scott Robertson 4/3Radonvan Maric Lost to Harley Holohan 3/2Miklos Nagy Def Matthew Xu 3/1Andrew Marsh Def Scott Campbell 2/1Jyiten Cummings Lost to Pearse DonnellyDylan Marsh Def Peter Tunks 1 UpOwen Woodley Def Tim Fisher 3/2 Antill Park have shone bright to claim the Division Four Major Pennant Crown with a 5 – 2 win over newcomers North Turramurra The win capped an undefeated season for the team from south west Sydney a result team Manager Brent White was quick to highlight.“I’ can’t tell you how good these guys were all season to go through undefeated is pretty special They are all home-grown and they turn up for one another.”“They deserve this win so it is going to be a big celebration.”RESULTS Div FourKieth Shepherd Tied Richard Southwell Dylan Humphries Def Nick Hayes 4/3Harry Davies Lost to Chris McNeill 3/2James Richards Tied James SharpeLogan Whitelaw Def Derek Couper 2/1Darin Andrerson Def Will Soo 2/1Lewis Gibson Def Benjamin Finter 1 up Hurstville have claimed the clubs first-ever pennant with a win in Division Five The match went down to the wire with a couple of matches going extra holes Hurstville team manager Chris Kerrigan was extremely proud of his charges especially after the disappointment of losing two years ago “It feels fantastic,” Kerrigan grinned “We lost the closest of matches two years ago three all and we lost the last match on the 18th.” “It was hard but to come back and win this feels really good.”Kerrigan said the plan was to celebrate however they were keen to hang around and have a ‘few” in celebration.RESULTS DIv Five: 1upKani Terita Tied Paul CheshireMichael West Def Robert Walker 3/2James Hawkes Lost to Mathew CheshireMichael Brandt Def Josue Paz 7/5Lachlan Piowes lost to Martin Sciciuna on the 21stTodd Shaw Def Matthew Holmes 4/3 Postal Address:PO Box 555Brighton Le Sands The Weekly SOURCE is published by DCM Media 2024Raine & Horne has launched a new office in Macquarie Park a rapidly growing innovation district in northern Sydney with the dynamic duo of Winston (Chengxiang) Huang and Bo Li at the helm Mr Huang and Mr Li are directors of the independent agency K2 Real Estate which they launched in 2015 and bring extensive experience in real estate sales marketing and property development to Raine & Horne Macquarie Park The new Raine & Horne principals bring broad industry experience to their new venture including successfully completing a townhouse development Mr Huang has been in real estate since 2012 and has a master’s degree in Property Development from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) He also has an accounting degree from Macquarie University the innovation district’s focal point who arrived in Australia from China in 2002 holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of NSW Known for his friendly and patient demeanour Mr Li ventured into real estate in 2010 at the encouragement of friends after finding limited opportunities in civil engineering in Sydney When the real estate market surged in 2012 Mr Li who has lived in or near North Ryde and the Macquarie Park region since arriving in Australia was hooked A strategic location in a thriving innovation hub Macquarie Park emerged from North Ryde as recently as 1999 and has evolved into one of Sydney’s most dynamic innovation districts Home to Macquarie University and the headquarters of many major multinational firms, the area also hosts a thriving community of startups and established Australian businesses. The district offers excellent transport links via the Metro and M2, extensive bus routes, and close proximity to Macquarie University’s research and talent pool. With over 63,000 jobs[i] located in the district Macquarie Park offers an ideal environment for business growth “We plan to service Macquarie Park and surrounding areas such as North Ryde Marsfield and beyond,” said Mr Huang who lived in the Macquarie Park district for over a decade “Macquarie Park is an excellent location to own a property as it has strong infrastructure making it highly attractive for families and professionals “The area offers great convenience with amenities like Macquarie University and householders have the magnificent Lane Cove National Park on their doorstep.” The Macquarie Park real estate market is predominantly focused on apartments with the median price for a two-bedroom unit sitting around $910,000 Most apartments in the area have been built within the last decade “Many buyers are young professionals or former Macquarie University students who know the area well Families and downsizers are also drawn to the area’s amenities and job opportunities.” Commenting on the decision to join Raine & Horne which recently unveiled a major brand refresh and joining forces with them will create new opportunities for us in residential real estate “We can’t wait to tap into this background and experience This transition will also help us expand our sales business and grow our rent roll while attracting experienced property managers It’s a win-win situation for Raine & Horne and us.” Mr Li also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to partner with Raine & Horne describing it as a trusted and respected brand “We are very excited to be joining Raine & Horne a family owned and operated business which has been in real estate for 141 years.” For all your sales and property management needs in Macquarie Park and surrounding suburbs, visit https://rh.com.au/macquariepark/ or visit the brand new office at 21 Delhi Road located inside the North Ryde Metro Station [i] https://www.connectmpid.com.au/about-macquarie-park Share price 8408.00p 2 May 2025 at 16:42 News releases Sydney-North Ryde and Holiday Inn Sydney Airport to transition to Crowne Plaza brand - The portfolio agreement builds on the existing partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Star Millennium Pty Ltd marking their first white label hotels in the Australasian IHG estate Australia: IHG Hotels & Resorts will expand its Sydney premium estate with the addition of two Crowne Plaza hotels following a strategic portfolio agreement with Frank and Wade Huang of Star Millennium Pty Ltd that will see the rebranding of two well-loved hotels at Sydney Airport and Macquarie Park The 196-room Crowne Plaza Macquarie Park is set to open in early 2025 transitioning from the Courtyard by Marriott to the Crowne Plaza brand This rebranding will include a comprehensive refurbishment of the lobby and guest rooms Located approximately 25 minutes northwest of Sydney CBD Macquarie Park is one of Australia's premier business districts The hotel's prime location will attract significant demand from nearby businesses as well as the Australian headquarters of several leading pharmaceutical and technology companies Holiday Inn Sydney Airport will be rebranded as Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport in September 2024 which underwent a $15 million refurbishment in 2022 are already at a Crowne Plaza standard and the hotel will now see updates to its lobby and restaurant to complete its transition into the premium segment the Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport is already a favourite among business and leisure travellers consistently delivering exceptional performance for both the owners and IHG Elevating the hotel from the midscale to the premium segment will further solidify its reputation as one of Sydney Airport’s top hotels with Star Millennium appointing Trilogy Hotels to operate both hotels Director of Development at IHG Hotels & Resorts commented: “We are honoured to have been chosen by Star Millennium as the partner to brand these two well-known Sydney hotels It’s exciting to see the Crowne Plaza brand continue to go from strength to strength building on its reputation as one of the world’s best known and loved premium hotel brands among corporate and leisure travellers alike We look forward to further strengthening our wonderful partnership with Frank and Wade in the coming years.” added: “We are proud of our long-standing and successful relationship with IHG Expanding our collaboration by integrating our Sydney Airport and Macquarie Park hotels into the Crowne Plaza family is an exciting step Crowne Plaza Macquarie Park will set a new standard for quality in the Macquarie Park business precinct and Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport will enhance its legacy as a Holiday Inn by delivering a premium guest experience.” commented: “Trilogy Hotels is delighted to be appointed by Frank and Wade Huang of Star Millennium as the independent hotel managers of both assets running the day-to-day operations and spearheading both of their rebranding and refurbishment journeys with our wonderful partners the Huang Family we are committed to creating an amazing hotel experience for our owners As we grow our independent hotel management portfolio in Australia we are beyond grateful to Frank and Wade for putting their trust in us to operate their beloved hotels We look forward to driving the operational and bottom-line profit performance of both assets and providing our expertise in systems IHG currently has 97 open or pipeline hotels in Australasia & the Pacific IHG plans to open new Crowne Plaza locations in Mawson Lakes (South Australia) with a new property in Geelong (Victoria) slated for 2026 IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good With a family of 19 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes IHG has over 6,300 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,000 properties InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales Approximately 375,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn Trilogy Hotels brings independent operational excellence to the hotel industry in Australia and New Zealand for investment-grade assets Backed by the significant industry experience of each of its best-in-market teams Trilogy offers a new chapter of growth for the region’s hotel industry Quality Green Group has bought its maiden Sydney asset – a piece of North Ryde’s Riverside Corporate Park 8079 square metre A-grade office fully leased to 3M Australia and some 2836 sqm of laboratories – 1 Rivett Road is collecting $38.5 million – a high 13.8 per cent initial net yield 3M Australia contributes to 85pc of the income The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre also occupies a space the 1.2 hectare parcel with 268 car parks holds development upside adjacent to a block earmarked for over 500 apartments (story continues below) Quality Green Group is a Wollongong based office and retail investor; this investment is its first outside the Illawarra MMJ Real Estate’s Chris Johnson brokered the deal North Ryde is about 14 kilometres north west of Sydney’s CBD Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page A former property analyst and print journalist Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au Forgot your password? You will receive mail with link to set new password Back to login For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Millner Field at Marsfield will immediately cease to operate as a community sports asset after a bid by Ryde Council to rezone the field as open space left the owners President Jim Morris wrote to club members advising them that “after 75 years of continuous operation all bookings from local and regional sports clubs have been cancelled The decision follows Ryde Council Mayor Trenton Brown tabling a mayoral minute that proposed to rezone T.G Millner into the RE1 Public Recreation Zone which would prevent a planned development of 132 terrace houses This is the second attempt by Ryde Council to stop the development of the spiritual home of Eastwood Rugby Union the council proposed to compulsorily acquire the property but failed to secure the $75 million required or obtain financial support or consent from the NSW government “This land grab by stealth will make our property at Marsfield close to worthless and will place North Ryde RSL in a perilous financial position,” North Ryde RSL chief executive Joe Kelly said “This behaviour might be expected in a dictatorial state Millner from a cash-strapped Eastwood Rugby in 2017 after holding a lease on the property since 2000 which allows for a seniors living development An application was lodged in 2022 to rezone the sports grounds to R2 The project would cater to 132 semi-detached terrace houses and a hectare of public space North Ryde RSL’s application was refused on the basis Ryde Council and the then-Perrottet government planned to acquire the property The proposal was lodged again in July by North Ryde RSL which led to Brown’s mayoral minute proposing to “introduce a mechanism to protect public access to TG Millner fields through an amendment to the Ryde Local Environment Plan” The rezoning proposal must be lodged with the state government for approval “It has been made abundantly clear that Ryde Council does not have the funds or state government support to compulsorily acquire T.G Brown said: “There is nothing dictatorial about it We wanted to have negotiations with them [North Ryde RSL] in 2018 for something that is amicable and on commercial terms This is just part of a long-winded legal process.” Brown recommitted to the need for public open space in the Ryde local government area and took aim at Labor for dropping its support for keeping T.G both Labor and Liberal had a bipartisan position to protect the open space in our growing community,” he said Brown said parts of Macquarie University and the M2 were built on compulsorily acquired land because it was necessary for the community Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter President Jim Morris wrote to club members advising them that \\u201Cafter 75 years of continuous operation \\u201CThis land grab by stealth will make our property at Marsfield close to worthless and will place North Ryde RSL in a perilous financial position,\\u201D North Ryde RSL chief executive Joe Kelly said \\u201CThis behaviour might be expected in a dictatorial state North Ryde RSL\\u2019s application was refused on the basis Ryde Council and the then-Perrottet government planned to acquire the property which led to Brown\\u2019s mayoral minute proposing to \\u201Cintroduce a mechanism to protect public access to TG Millner fields through an amendment to the Ryde Local Environment Plan\\u201D \\u201CIt has been made abundantly clear that Ryde Council does not have the funds or state government support to compulsorily acquire T.G Brown said: \\u201CThere is nothing dictatorial about it This is just part of a long-winded legal process.\\u201D both Labor and Liberal had a bipartisan position to protect the open space in our growing community,\\u201D he said Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories continues its rapid growth with the addition of the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport and Courtyard by Marriott under the Crowne Plaza brand With the independent operating model evolving from the traditional management approach hoteliers Frank and Wade Huang of Star Millennium Pty Ltd have appointed Trilogy Hotels as hotel managers adopting the predominant management model in the US and Europe Trilogy Hotels will run the day-to-day operations of both hotels and IHG Hotels & Resorts that will provide exceptional branding and distribution capabilities Under its innovative independent hotel management model Trilogy Hotels provides an operating platform and access to systems Trilogy will build a team of portfolio leaders and operate these teams for Star Millennium across their other hotels Trilogy Hotels has already begun operations for Holiday Inn Sydney Airport and will spearhead its transition to Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport As part of the rebrand for the 252-room hotel Trilogy will oversee further refurbishments to its guest rooms following a significant $15M refurbishment in 2022 The Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport is already a favourite among travellers consistently delivering exceptional guest experiences Trilogy Hotels’ innovative strategies at the Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport include improving efficiency by embracing new technology systems and making engagement with the nearby airport easier for guests through launching a new exclusive airport shuttle service They will also begin operations for Courtyard by Marriott and facilitate its transition to Crowne Plaza Macquarie Park The 196-room hotel is situated within the thriving Macquarie Park business precinct often referred to as ‘Sydney’s Silicon Valley’ and will undergo a light refurbishment Macquarie Park is one of Australia’s premier business districts The hotel’s prime location will attract significant demand from nearby businesses is proud to manage these prime assets as they evolve and declares these deals as “defining moments for the hotel industry” “Trilogy Hotels is delighted to be appointed by a wonderful family of hoteliers I have known Frank and Wade for many years and we are thrilled to forge this new path with them we will be driving growth with a common set of values and a shared vision for how hotels should be operated We are grateful to Frank and Wade for putting their trust in us and are excited about our partnership and journey ahead,” Boyes said “We believe both of our assets have so much to gain from this new model with our accomplished partners Trilogy Hotels and IHG Hotels & Resorts,” Director of Star Millennium Pty Ltd. “This is an exciting milestone and we look forward to taking full advantage of Trilogy’s agile bespoke and experienced approach to hotel operations and both hotels will leverage Crowne Plaza’s strong and globally established branding and IHG’s phenomenal customer base and distribution network to help drive bookings,” Boyes continued “It’s fantastic to work alongside Matt Tripolone and the IHG Hotels & Resorts team on this exciting new partnership we are committed to creating an amazing hotel experience for our guests.” Director of development at IHG Hotels & Resorts said he was honoured to have been chosen by Star Millennium as the partner to brand these two well-known Sydney hotels “It’s exciting to see the Crowne Plaza brand continue to go from strength to strength building on its reputation as one of the world’s best-known and loved premium hotel brands among corporate and leisure travellers alike We look forward to further strengthening our wonderful partnership with Frank and Wade in the coming years and working with Trilogy Hotels on these two hotels,” he said Trilogy Hotels is pleased to soon operate nearly 1,700 hotel rooms across seven investment-grade assets it will continue to embrace market challenges emerging technologies and evolving guest preferences The developer of a Macquarie Park apartment block found to be at risk of long-term collapse if major structural issues were not addressed has refused to outline steps it has taken to fix the problem and halted the government from releasing key documentation Almost one year after Building Commission NSW issued a work rectification order for 23 Halifax Street a remediation building company that promises to repair concrete to “look good as new” is filling cracks in the concrete slab and repairing joints in the basement Residents began moving into the apartment block in late 2020 but last January Building Commission NSW issued a work rectification order for the multi-unit complex in Sydney’s north developed by Chinese-led developer Greenland Australia and built by now-defunct GN Constructions The commission had discovered “serious damage and spalling of the concrete slab at the joint locations in basements and the ground floor” which could eventually impact the structure’s ability to “withstand the car park and ground floor loads” Spalling is when concrete breaks off in chunks or flakes from its body The commission made it clear there was no immediate risk to residents and any threat of collapse was long-term but the agreement it reached with the developer to rectify the issues has been shrouded in secrecy the rectification order was removed from the Building Commission website in June last year This is common when developers enter into legally binding undertakings the agreement was not published on the commission’s website (An acknowledgment that one exists is visible.) When the Herald in August sought a copy of the document under freedom of information laws the agency agreed to release a redacted version and said releasing it in full would expose the strategies the commission used to bring developers into line Greenland in November appealed against revealing any information Neither the commission nor Greenland would reveal the grounds for the appeal and the company has until March to appeal to an external ombudsman The delay means the public will not have access to the undertaking concerning the state of their building until more than a year after the work rectification order was issued The developer has also declined to answer questions from the Herald about how it has sought to fix the problem In a statement in response to detailed questions about the nature and timing of the remediation works Greenland Australia spokesperson Kym Cheek said: “Greenland’s third-party engineering consultants expect to complete their localised rectifications by the end of January 2025 in line with the works program provided by the Building Commission Regular site meetings have been held with the Building Commission and the works are in the final stages of completion “Greenland engaged several third-party engineers to assess the situation as soon as it identified a possible issue This was well before a rectification program was provided by the Building Commission The engineers did not find any major structural defects in the concrete or risk of building collapse.” Greenland did not identify what the works program was or who was involved in the remediation work Cheek said: “Greenland will not provide further commentary beyond what it has already provided Building Commissioner James Sherrard, who replaced inaugural commissioner David Chandler in October also failed to provide information about the fixes saying it was the responsibility of the developer to communicate how it would fulfil the undertaking Building Commissioner James Sherrard declined an interview and Building Commission NSW did not answer specific questions about the repairs.Credit: Janie Barrett The commission did not answer questions from the Herald about whether Greenland had complied with the undertaking whether it knew if the work had been completed or if any action had been taken against the certifier who had signed off on the slab and building In a written response provided by a spokesperson Sherrard said he had conducted “a limited site inspection focusing on the defect areas” “While I understand the frustration residents must feel with the process rectifying structural defects can take time especially when a building is already occupied,” he wrote “Once the developer has deemed the rectification works are complete Building Commission NSW will be notified and a final inspection of the remediation works will take place the Building Commission NSW inspector will verify that the work complies with the requirements of the undertaking.” A spokesperson added: “There is no current risk to residents who live in the Macquarie Park premises from the defects.” A walk through the public area of the car park and basement which is open to patrons of the above shopping centre a building company specialising in remediation work and work appears to match a description of fixes posted on the building company’s website last year Remedial builder CJ Duncan has a site office and construction area within the basement at 23 Halifax Street “CJ Duncan is making great progress on the concrete remedial works at 23 Halifax St, Macquarie Park,” the November blog post read and soffit strengthening.” Corbels are structural pieces emerging from walls that support a weight above The view inside the affected basement at 23 Halifax Street CJ Duncan staff were not on site when the Herald visited and did not respond to multiple requests for comment The complex is across the road from North Ryde metro station Some apartments in the complex have fallen in value One apartment was sold for $691,800 in September last year down from the $738,000 it was sold for in November 2020 Another listing for a unit sold just before Christmas describes the “true urban oasis” as one created by “astute developer Greenland Australia” The “prestigious new apartments” had the “highest standard of finishes” An earlier version of this report said owners and tenants did not have access to the developer’s undertaking to repair the defects The building commission said the undertaking had been supplied to the owners corporation Almost one year after Building Commission NSW issued for 23 Halifax Street a remediation building company that promises to repair concrete to \\u201Clook good as new\\u201D is filling cracks in the concrete slab and repairing joints in the basement but last January Building Commission NSW issued a work rectification order for the multi-unit complex in Sydney\\u2019s north The commission had discovered \\u201Cserious damage and spalling of the concrete slab at the joint locations in basements and the ground floor\\u201D which could eventually impact the structure\\u2019s ability to \\u201Cwithstand the car park and ground floor loads\\u201D the agreement was not published on the commission\\u2019s website Greenland Australia spokesperson Kym Cheek said: \\u201CGreenland\\u2019s third-party engineering consultants expect to complete their localised rectifications by the end of January 2025 \\u201CGreenland engaged several third-party engineers to assess the situation as soon as it identified a possible issue The engineers did not find any major structural defects in the concrete or risk of building collapse.\\u201D Cheek said: \\u201CGreenland will not provide further commentary beyond what it has already provided Sherrard said he had conducted \\u201Ca limited site inspection focusing on the defect areas\\u201D \\u201CWhile I understand the frustration residents must feel with the process especially when a building is already occupied,\\u201D he wrote \\u201COnce the developer has deemed the rectification works are complete the Building Commission NSW inspector will verify that the work complies with the requirements of the undertaking.\\u201D A spokesperson added: \\u201CThere is no current risk to residents who live in the Macquarie Park premises from the defects.\\u201D and work appears to match a description of fixes posted on the building company\\u2019s website last year \\u201CCJ Duncan is making great progress on the concrete remedial works at 23 Halifax St \\u201CThe project focuses on corbel repairs and soffit strengthening.\\u201D Corbels are structural pieces emerging from walls that support a weight above Another listing for a unit sold just before Christmas describes the \\u201Ctrue urban oasis\\u201D as one created by \\u201Castute developer Greenland Australia\\u201D The \\u201Cprestigious new apartments\\u201D had the \\u201Chighest standard of finishes\\u201D An earlier version of this report said owners and tenants did not have access to the developer\\u2019s undertaking to repair the defects Bus services in Sydney’s north and north-west are set to undergo massive changes in anticipation of the opening of the new Sydney metro train line Taking effect when the main section of the new driverless train line from Chatswood to Sydenham opens – looking to be in early August – five bus routes are set to be axed with 11 undergoing changes and about two dozen set to be boosted The changes to services are set to have the greatest impact on commuters in Ryde 602X (Bella Vista-North Sydney) and 619 (Macquarie Park-Castle Hill) will be cancelled as part of the overhaul and 751 will have frequency of services increased aiming to funnel commuters to the new line with route 516 travelling between Top Ryde The new route 119 will run between Gore Hill and North Sydney on weekdays during peak periods To see the full extent of changes, visit here. “The changes will enhance the network and support residential growth and reduce duplication of public transport services,” Transport for NSW frequently asked questions reads “Transport for NSW is committed to providing the best possible services for passengers and monitors the public transport network to see how we can make further improvements.” The changes are based upon the analysis of Opal data Australasian Bus & Coach (ABC) is the leading bus and coach publication in the region providing news directly to the local industry ABC has released monthly magazines all about buses and coaches while our website and eNewsletter continue to keep the industry updated each and every day.  has been arrested after a gas mask and drug precursor chemicals were allegedly found in his car during a traffic stop The 35-year-old man was charged after police allegedly seized more than $10 million in methylamphetamine from two drug labs in Sydney Police allegedly seize more than $10 million in methylamphetamine from two drug labs in Sydney Pictures suppliedAn investigation into the man's alleged drug production was launched in April 2024 after police found two kilograms of cocaine and six kilograms of methylamphetamine at a clandestine laboratory in Rhodes Investigators searched another alleged drug lab in North Ryde Sydney on August 22 where ten kilograms of methylamphetamine was found Both labs were producing "large quantities of methylamphetamine" The 35-year-old was arrested after a roadside drug test returned a positive result for methylamphetamine He was charged with two counts of manufacturing large commercial prohibited drug two counts of supplying large commercial prohibited drug two counts of entering a drug premises and possess ID information to commit indictable offence He was refused bail and his case remains before the court Investigations into the clandestine labs continue Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. 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said.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We want to be an integral part of the solution to alleviate Sydney’s housing crisis and make a meaningful difference in delivering long-term high-quality housing solutions for those who need it most.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I believe it is our generation’s responsibility to create a financially sustainable way forward for future Australians to live in contribute and be part of the Northern Beaches community and we are deeply committed to doing our part in this.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“While there are steps taken to address the housing shortage and affordability \",\"imageDesc\":\"Landmark Group plans for 3 Halifax Street Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook The developer acquired the site for $130 million from Landcom in “the largest land deal since the start of the pandemic” in August 2021 five levels of basement parking and landscape works The project with an estimated cost of $112.27 million was designed by FJC Studio architects and complemented plans next door at 5 Halifax Street lodged in January The Macquarie Park buildings were almost exactly halfway between North Ryde Metro Station and Macquarie Park Metro Station Meanwhile at 6 Halifax Street, Landcom Australia was partnering with Link Wentworth to build 135 affordable units across a pair of 14-storey towers Affordable housing in NSW has become a key development attribute with bonuses given to developers who included 10-15 per cent of these homes within new projects Although Landmark’s Halifax buildings did appear to include affordable housing the developer has incorporated the scheme in its 280 apartment Casa Delmar complexes at Dee Why Landmark Group managing director Arash Tavakoli said they chose this project because across the Northern Beaches and Sutherland Shire affordable housing was in short supply especially critical workers who are forced to live far from their places of employment because of the ongoing rise in rental rates,” Tavakoli said “We want to be an integral part of the solution to alleviate Sydney’s housing crisis and make a meaningful difference in delivering long-term high-quality housing solutions for those who need it most “I believe it is our generation’s responsibility to create a financially sustainable way forward for future Australians to live in and we are deeply committed to doing our part in this “While there are steps taken to address the housing shortage and affordability industry and communities to consistently work hand in hand to find a long-term resolution to this once-in-a-generation crisis.” I started to ride to work in the city on a casual basis when I first moved to North Ryde about ten years ago I was encouraged by the excellent bike path along Epping Road which made it seem safe and a good way to get extra exercise I bought an e-bike and started riding in every day but then stopped because of extra family and education commitments When we started coming out of the pandemic lockdown I was able to hybrid work spreading my days between home and the office With a ‘rest day’ possible between each ride to the office I bought a new e-bike and started riding in again two or three times a week The bicycle infrastructure on my trip is generally very good I am able to take back streets from my house to the Epping Road bike path at Lane Cove Road This path alternates between shared path sections and other sections with two bike lanes and one pedestrian lane although there are streets where I have to carefully look over my shoulder for turning traffic before crossing so I take it slow in case there is a car exiting Taking back streets to the Epping Road bike path at Lane Cove Road on bin day (Photo credit: Graham Marshall)   This path alternates between shared path sections and..... other sections with two bike lanes and one pedestrian lane (Photo credit: Graham Marshall) I feel happy about e-biking every time I tackle the peaks riding from Sam Johnson Way in Lane Cove West up to the summit of the pedestrian bridge over the freeway at Naremburn The cycling infrastructure ranges from dedicated to shared pathways at the edge of the freeway to completely off road paths that go under the freeway There are some tricky corners in the off road section so taking it at a safe speed is important Crossing the Naremburn bridge is definitely a high point of the whole ride Shared paths under the freeway at Naremburn Pedestrian bridge over the freeway at Naremburn this section is more challenging to navigate than the dedicated path sections with lots of potential for improved cycling infrastructure There is an option of riding up a path to Merrenburn Avenue then turning right at the traffic lights onto Brook Street to come up the very wide and recently improved cycling lane on the freeway on-ramp Taking that route avoids having to cross the freeway on-ramp which can sometimes take a long time if there is a lot of traffic On the way back the only real route is an uncomfortably narrow path on the edge of the freeway I am not aware of any plans to improve that section which is a multiple personality cycle route In the first section there is a wide cycling lane marked out Further on there is no clearly separated cycling lane I take a zig zag route from West Street to Pacific Highway Pacific Highway feels daunting but is generally low or slow traffic I was very excited when the State government announced plans for a pop-up cycleway in 2020 and disappointed when those plans were scrapped The dangerously narrow and unprotected bike path along the Warringah Freeway near brook Street in Cammeray The newly widened bike lane on Brook Street When I reach the Harbour Bridge I am grateful that the long campaign to build a proper ramp to replace the steps is finally getting traction I take a right onto Upper Fort Street to head down to Argyle Street so I have to take my time making sure no car is coming up unseen I head down Argyle Street towards Circular Quay this bicycle path was made permanent and provides a direct (and beautiful!) route to my office at 1 Martin Place this lane was made permanent with high quality finishes and public realm upgrades such as landscaping and benches Office hours:  Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm Email:  info@bicyclensw.org.au Phone:  (02) 9704 0800 Address:  Gadigal Country, Level 9, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney, NSW 2000. Please call before visiting Bicycle NSW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters of Australia and pays respect to all Elders past and present Bicycle NSW works hard every day to achieve our mission of creating a better environment for all bicycle riders. We thank our key partners for supporting our work Find out how to vote welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement today that North Ryde and Gladesville libraries will receive $100,000 in funding thanks to the NSW Liberal Government’s Public Library Infrastructure Grant program “Funding will be used to upgrade furniture and shelving at both North Ryde and Galesville libraries.” Mr Lane said “Thanks to the Perrottet Liberal Government our Ryde electorate will have upgraded Library facilities in both North Ryde and Gladesville that will continue to offer services to the local community “I am delighted that see the continued investment of the Perrottet Liberal Government in the local Ryde community.” NSW Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said 21 local councils across the State will share in $6 million in funding for infrastructure projects this year to extend and improve public library buildings spaces and information technology for local communities “Well-resourced libraries contribute to community resilience with quality facilities great collections and access to the Internet and we are pleased to help councils to upgrade these critical services,” Mr Franklin said “An overall record investment of over $40 million will be provided to councils this year in support of libraries with further increases locked in for next year and beyond This is in addition to the record $165 million that the NSW Liberal Government has committed for the next four years ensuring that our libraries can continue to thrive Donations by individuals to registered political parties of between $2 and $1,500 in a financial year are tax deductible. Phone: 02 8356 0300 Privacy Policy Authorised by Chris StoneLiberal Party of Australia 131 Macquarie StreetSydney NSW 2000Phone: (02) 8356 0300 Privacy Policy Singaporean real estate giant CapitaLand has sold two Sydney hotels that form part of its $9 billion listed CapitaLand Ascott Trust for $109 million to local investors Frank and Wade Huang as it recycles capital into higher yielding investments Highlighting the strong appetite for hotels amid a surge in occupancy levels and room rates over the past 18 months the trust sold the properties – the 194-room Novotel Sydney Parramatta and the 196-room Courtyard by Marriott North Ryde – at a 5 per cent premium to their October 2023 valuation on a sharp yield of 4.4 per cent Read MoreHotelsAccommodationCommercial real estateLatest In CommercialFetching latest articles AstraZeneca’s manufacturing facility in North Ryde Australia is involved in the production and export of medicines and has been operational for more than 60 years The company announced an expansion of the facility with an investment of A$200m ($134.9m) to boost its production capacity in February 2020 The investment comes after the company disclosed plans for a A$100m ($67.44m) investment in 2017 to increase the production capacity of the plant Its latest expansion will add 250 new jobs increasing the site’s exports to A$4.4bn ($2.97bn) in the coming four years also providing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with more respiratory medications that make a difference in their lives The plant is one of the most digitised and creative in the global network of AstraZeneca the facility supplies drugs to the Asia-Pacific region and other markets across the world The manufacturing plant is based in Sydney suburb North Ryde It is among Australia’s largest pharmaceutical producers Commercial departments of the company are located on a site adjacent to the North Ryde plant The Sydney manufacturing site produces high-quality life-changing medicines for patients worldwide considered an essential facility under the provisions of the Essential Services Act 1988 of the NSW Government The facility has been meeting expected production levels in terms of manufacturing and other teams near the North Ryde facility work in an agile office environment with dedicated areas to collaboratively generate and share ideas Its 2017 investment helped establish three new lines of production each with the ability to manufacture 70 million units of asthma medicine The site is known for its excellent delivery performance and is among the most cost-effective manufacturing locations in the company’s entire global network AstraZeneca delivered drug products worth A$500m ($338m) to the domestic market manufacturing more than 80 different product types of diluents local anaesthetics and respiratory products It is China’s sole supplier of a primary respiratory product used to treat asthma The facility offers opportunities for training and development to employees The 1,070-strong workforce works at the North Ryde manufacturing and commercial facilities and also remotely from locations across Australia and New Zealand science-led biopharmaceutical firm with a focus on the research mainly for the treatment of diseases in the fields of oncology inflammation and autoimmune oncology (RIA) The company is working with various partners around the globe from academics research institutions and patient groups to obtain access to the latest technology and molecules and to promote creativity The firm collaborated with Oxford University to develop manufacture and distribute the latter’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate in April 2020 It received more than $1bn in investment support from the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the COVID-19 vaccine development efforts in the following month Research and development (R&D) departments of AstraZeneca are working to identify monoclonal antibodies to move them towards clinical trial testing as a potential cure for the symptoms of Covid-19 AstraZeneca Australia is the biggest pharmaceutical producer in the country It supplies approximately A$496m ($335m) of products to countries such as Japan AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries with a total workforce of around 65,000 personnel It has a global manufacturing network with sites in 15 countries Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network The North Ryde home of the CSIRO is tipped to sell for over $250m Property developer Aqualand is set for a mammoth payday following the listing of CSIRO’s long-time North Ryde home The 6.56ha site near the North Ryde metro station and the 830-apartment Ryde Gardens complex is tipped to fetch more than $250m and offers buyers a major redevelopment opportunity MORE: Inside Karl Stefanovic’s waterfront mansion Celebs flock to new hideaway to rival Byron Mansion built by Jen Hawkins and Jake Wall up for sale CSIRO have occupied the landholding for nearly 60 years with it currently housing an education centre, offices and a research facility. CSIRO have occupied the site since the 1960s. The approaching end of the government agency’s tenure has prompted owner Aqualand, a subsidiary of the Shanghai-based Shenglong, to test the market interest via an international campaign. Being facilitated by CBRE’s Jason Edge, Chris O’Brien, Sharon Yang and Michael Andrews, 11-14 Julius Ave is being offered to buyers with flexible rental guarantees available for up to five years. “The size of the property and its proximity to the Sydney CBD will provide an incoming owner with a unique opportunity to reshape an entire precinct,” Mr Edge said. “Demand within the life sciences and build-to-rent market for a site so close to a metropolitan railway station will help fuel interest from a diverse buyer pool given the site’s development potential.” Aqualand has owned 11-14 Julius Ave since 2014. The property borders the M2 motorway and comprises of two allotments with a variety of buildings, including corporate offices, laboratories, testing facilities, workshops, industrial facilities, storage buildings, a childcare centre and multi-level carparking. Offering B3 Commercial Core and B7 Business Park zonings, the landholding are available to be purchased together or separately. While the main lease agreement to the CSIRO expires at the end of this year, licence or lease agreements over portions of the site extend until 2023 and rental support is available to an incoming purchaser for up to five years. “Factoring in possible bonus floor space ratio provisions and height limits, there is potential to develop new buildings across both properties with a gross floor area of up to 150,000sqm,” Ms Yang said. CoreLogic reveals the CSIRO sold the site in 2001 to Cescade Pty Ltd for $65,550,433, who in turn sold it to Aqualand for $170m in 2014. CSIRO is planning to consolidate its Sydney operations at the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis from 2026 at an 18,000sqm carbon-neutral facility. realcommercial.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. MORE: Inside Karl Stefanovic’s waterfront mansion Celebs flock to new hideaway to rival Byron Mansion built by Jen Hawkins and Jake Wall up for sale CSIRO have occupied the landholding for nearly 60 years with it currently housing an education centre CSIRO have occupied the site since the 1960s The approaching end of the government agency’s tenure has prompted owner Aqualand a subsidiary of the Shanghai-based Shenglong to test the market interest via an international campaign 11-14 Julius Ave is being offered to buyers with flexible rental guarantees available for up to five years “The size of the property and its proximity to the Sydney CBD will provide an incoming owner with a unique opportunity to reshape an entire precinct,” Mr Edge said Aqualand has owned 11-14 Julius Ave since 2014 The property borders the M2 motorway and comprises of two allotments with a variety of buildings a childcare centre and multi-level carparking Offering B3 Commercial Core and B7 Business Park zonings the landholding are available to be purchased together or separately While the main lease agreement to the CSIRO expires at the end of this year licence or lease agreements over portions of the site extend until 2023 and rental support is available to an incoming purchaser for up to five years “Factoring in possible bonus floor space ratio provisions and height limits there is potential to develop new buildings across both properties with a gross floor area of up to 150,000sqm,” Ms Yang said CoreLogic reveals the CSIRO sold the site in 2001 to Cescade Pty Ltd for $65,550,433 who in turn sold it to Aqualand for $170m in 2014 CSIRO is planning to consolidate its Sydney operations at the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis from 2026 at an 18,000sqm carbon-neutral facility Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. a move that has irked the City of Ryde.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe RSL club wants the council to rezone the area around the TG Millner sports field in Marsfield to R2 low density residential which would allow them to build apartments in what would be a $100-million development.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe request is still before Ryde’s planning department but in a meeting late last month the city said it would take “the steps necessary to secure TG Millner Fields as green open space”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA website featuring the proposal shows the development would include two-storey homes on what now playing fields public open space and a sports court which could be used for basketball.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe three playing fields date back to 1954 when land was acquired on Vimiera Road for the Eastwood Rugby Club More land was added in 1967 increasing the site to about seven hectares.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow with 68 per cent of residents having “ancestry from countries where the sport of rugby does not register on the radar”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe RSL says the site has reached the end of its life in terms of rugby and licensed club uses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut Ryde’s mayor Jordan Lane says while the city is prepared to talk to the RSL about future plans for the area “the council's position is that we need to preserve the open space”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In the last three or four years the council has exceeded its housing target by 43 per cent.\u0026nbsp; There are chronic issues with social infrastructure if not the number one priority,” Lane said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It is unacceptable on any measure to have open playing fields converted into housing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Obviously we remain willing to negotiate on more appropriate outcomes for the community namely ones that explore other sites or financing solutions while preserving much needed open space.”\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe combination of long and short-term trends in the hospitality and clubs’ sector coupled with the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns have made \u003ca href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/no-easy-pickings-in-rsl-redevelopment\" data-mce-href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/no-easy-pickings-in-rsl-redevelopment\"\u003eRSLs and other community clubs an enticing target for developers\u003c/a\u003e in recent years with the number and scale of projects accelerating.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNorth Ryde’s application for rezoning is still in the assessment phase which would allow them to build apartments in what would be a $100-million development The request is still before Ryde’s planning department but in a meeting late last month the city said it would take “the steps necessary to secure TG Millner Fields as green open space” A website featuring the proposal shows the development would include two-storey homes on what now playing fields public open space and a sports court which could be used for basketball The three playing fields date back to 1954 when land was acquired on Vimiera Road for the Eastwood Rugby Club More land was added in 1967 increasing the site to about seven hectares the North Ryde RSL Club—which bought the site from the rugby club in 2017—says they need the redevelopment because high running costs and low revenue has created an “unsustainable drain on the club’s resources” The change in use is made possible because of Eastwood Rugby Club’s planned relocation to a new sporting hub 13km away in Castle Hill “North Ryde RSL Club and Eastwood Rugby have gone to great financial lengths to keep the TG Millner Field alive with Eastwood Rugby struggling financially for more than 20 years and the (RSL club) investing significant funds since 2000 to keep the fields afloat,” the proposal said The club points out the demand has declined for rugby facilities in Marsfield partly due to local demographics in the area with 68 per cent of residents having “ancestry from countries where the sport of rugby does not register on the radar” The RSL says the site has reached the end of its life in terms of rugby and licensed club uses But Ryde’s mayor Jordan Lane says while the city is prepared to talk to the RSL about future plans for the area “the council's position is that we need to preserve the open space” the council has exceeded its housing target by 43 per cent There are chronic issues with social infrastructure if not the number one priority,” Lane said “It is unacceptable on any measure to have open playing fields converted into housing while preserving much needed open space.”  The combination of long and short-term trends in the hospitality and clubs’ sector, coupled with the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns, have made RSLs and other community clubs an enticing target for developers in recent years with the number and scale of projects accelerating North Ryde’s application for rezoning is still in the assessment phase North Ryde RSL and the Eastwood Rugby Club were both approached for comment The duplex in North Ryde that has a hidden underground pool with a viewing floor from the alfresco area is up for grabs This brand new North-Ryde duplex with a hidden underground pool and a glass ceiling has hit the market with a price guide of $2.8m-$2.9m Lead agent Muhummad Sarmini from LJ Hooker Belmore has sold a lot of duplexes in the area and said the underground pool was unique “Most people either say ‘wow’ or that they’ve never seen anything like this,” Mr Sarmini said The underground swimming pool at 22 Farrington Parade The view from above – the alfresco area’s floor MORE: Hidden danger for 25,000 new Rosehill homes usually they would build down and create a garage but instead they have decided to create an all season swimming pool to give more space for the backyard and with a glass ceiling which makes up the alfresco areas floor,” he said Fitted with its own change room and outdoor shower the listing states it is “one of a kind underground swimming pool.” The alfresco area that has a glass floor that overlooks the pool The underground pool leaves more space for a backyard “It also has a state of the art kitchen,” Mr Sarmini said MORE: Sophie Monk trying to sell her luxe riverfront house The expansive gourmet style kitchen has a walk-in pantry stone benchtops and a designer island breakfast bar Breakfast bar made from stone and dark black features in the kitchen Spacious with a 6 metre high ceiling and contemporary chandelier Located at 22 Farrington Parade a “sought after blue ribbon st,” the property has attracted a lot of interest with young families “Considering we are this close to Christmas the engagement has been very impressive,” he said All four large bedrooms have built in robes and modern fittings with the master bedroom featuring a custom walk-in robe and ensuite The average house price in North Ryde is currently $2.28m according to PropTrack data Some 13 groups have already been through the home and there have been over 80 inquiries MORE: Mystery surrounds rich lister’s beach sell off third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. WORDS: STEVE KEIPERT  PHOTOGRAPHY: BRENDAN JAMES A lot can happen to a golf course in 8,550 days This writer’s only previous tour of North Ryde Golf Club came in a humiliating junior pennants match played on a rainy day in November 1992 that resulted in a 7&5 flogging That lopsided scoreline not only did nothing for our team it also prevented me from playing the last five holes The pond flanking the right side of the 17th hole is difficult to ignore as you approach the green of the par-5 The fact it took me nearly 23-and-a-half years to return can’t be explained by lack of opportunity for there’s no earthly reason for Sydneysiders to not play at least the occasional 18 holes at North Ryde Even in a metropolis as sprawling as the harbour city this public layout is accessible to all in every sense Ryde is a central hub within the city and North Ryde Golf Club sits only a few minutes’ drive away Even in a place so often mired in traffic snarls Sydney’s major arterial roads all point there in some fashion They also point to a course and club that knows its own identity par-70 for women) that won’t attract much fanfare when it comes to golf course rankings but it will when it comes to consistency popularity and delivering an experience that keeps drawing golfers back Despite sitting on a 30-hectare site hemmed in by a main road North Ryde is a scenic sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle of modern life pinched-in targets dominateat North Ryde as timber Redesign work carried out by local course architect James Wilcher between 2013 and 2015 saw the reconstruction of four greens (at the 1st 9th and 17th holes) plus their greenside bunkers the expansion of three dams and the addition of another took place to not only bring these water hazards more into play but to also provide valuable water storage the fill created allowed the club to soften the depth of the gully that cuts through the course About 200 trees were removed but as many as four times that number were planted North Ryde is a veritable arboretum where shots are constantly shaped around and turned between stands of magnificent flourishing trees The old 1st hole used to feature an enormous gum tree that stood 45 metres tall and broad like a burly security guard protecting half of the green tee shots positioned in the middle of the fairway often yielded no direct line to some flags That tree is gone but the new 1st is just as intriguing It’s not often you can say this about a 345-metre par-4: it might be a 6-iron off the tee it might be a driver – or it could be anything in between The reason for the dispersion of options is the way one of the new dams pinches into the left-side of the fairway to create an incredibly narrow landing zone for longer clubs You can challenge the water but must be highly accurate; the better play might be to start the round with a mid- to long iron even if that means another is required to find the green More redesign work will take place in the coming years and will serve to strengthen the total layout when it does happen All of which boosts the golf offering in an enclave of private clubs and short courses public-access golf courses near North Ryde Avondale and Ryde-Parramatta aren’t far away as is the par-3-dominated Chatswood Golf Club and several other short courses Strathfield Golf Club is more than 11 kilometres away across the Parramatta River A pond and bunkers guard the approach to the green of the downhill par-4 4th hole The bulk of the challenge lies on North Ryde’s front nine which is 169 metres longer than the back yet the par is a stroke lower A quartet of tough par-4s defines the opening half: the aforementioned 1st hole with its new water hazard The 4th descends a steep hill but is narrow with a tee set obliquely to the straight fairway The 371-metre 5th plays longer as it climbs the same hillside and is best attacked from the right side of the fairway The granddaddy of them all is the index-1 7th which stretches 416 metres and has busy Lane Cove Rd along the left side It plays downhill towards a water hazard designed to catch the second shots of those who miss the fairway before rising to a green benched into the sloping ground It’s difficult to imagine any golfer making par there and walking away unsatisfied concludes the front nine before the shorter Several holes have changed direction through the years but the inward half is still characterised by short par-4s (including three measuring less than 300 metres) a trio of short- to mid-length par-3s and two tempting par-5s almost all the back-nine holes bend at least once around tall timber and beckon big hitters into cutting off distance with some daring drives over or around corners You get the feeling the design intention is to ask golfers to hang on for the first eight holes then unleash over the last ten The course is compact and you feel a sense of the small space via the closely set fairways and the proximity of neighbouring greens and tees the design is shrewd and cleverly utilises every useable piece of the property It also plays longer than its yardage partly due to the number of drives that land on upslopes and minimise roll The bunkering is far from overdone and all are craftily positioned to the point that every pot plays a strategic role One oddity to North Ryde is the retention of two grass types in the fairways kikuyu dominates before couch takes over nearer the green surrounds although how far out that transition occurs varies from hole to hole It’s a simple adjustment but one that many golfers might not be used to making from shot to shot A three-tiered target is a defining feature of the uphill par-3 that begins the second nine Armed with a fleet of 35 carts that cater for golf days of up to 70 players North Ryde is a haven for social clubs and corporate golf events alike It’s perfectly located for Sydney’s various business districts and offers a course that novice players find user-friendly while expert golfers see it as anything but a pushover Social players in particular rave about the golf course and the total package yet members retain access to the course for part of each day The result is a busy place with a thriving energy that golfers clearly enjoy and as for those last five holes I missed playing in ’92 here’s a challenge for you next time you tackle North Ryde On my return trip I played alongside the club’s trainee professional who birdied the last eight holes in a row in astonishing fashion A finish like that would surely have dug me out of a deep matchplay hole all those years ago WEBSITE: www.northrydegolfclub.com.au DESIGNERS: Unknown (1949); James Wilcher (2015) SLOPE RATINGS: Men: 129/122/118; women: 124/122 MEMBERSHIP: A handful of full memberships are currently available with a joining fee of $1,650 and annual dues of $1,850 (inclusive of a $200 bar levy) FACILITIES: The club is a popular function venue CORPORATE GOLF: North Ryde hosts numerous corporate golf days annually for a range of clientele and fields of up to 120 players The club has the staff to run the day entirely or simply help manage it Optional extras include clinics and the club’s professionals joining groups as they play See the website for additional information The North Ryde auction on Schumack St drew a crowd A family who had kept their North Ryde house for close to 60 years were seen crying tears of joy after the auction when the gavel dropped at nearly $800,000 above their initial price guide The home on Schumack St sold for $2.4m and had initially went to market with a $1.59m guide More than 20 buyer groups registered to bid at the auction and a massive crowd was in attendance MORE: James Packer in penthouse battle with family Selling agent John Grayson of BresicWhitney said buyer interest had been so strong during the marketing campaign that the guide kept rising Auctioneer Toby Llewellyn received many bids with over 20 buyers registered for the auction “There were 66 groups at the first open home so the guide went up $50,000 and then we increased it again after the second open,” he said “Before the auction we thought it could get near $1.9m … we never thought well over $2m.” It’s understood the price was more than $400,000 over the vendor’s reserve MORE: ‘Baffling’: bidder pays $4.5m over reserve at auction ‘Reverse Hemsworth effect’ pushes down Byron prices The home was being sold on behalf of the original owner who had recently moved into a nursing home and left her children in control of her estate were visibly emotional after getting an unexpectedly high price It was also an emotional rollercoaster for the buyer who was reported to have been on the hunt for a home in the area for some time She is understood to be planning a renovation The property was described as in “original” condition “I think emotion got the better of a lot of the bidders (The auction) just kept going,” Mr Grayson said The agent noted that bidder competition was up across the Ryde region because little housing stock was for sale There was also strong developer interest in the area and blocks with potential to be turned into duplexes A larger block on nearby Michael St sold earlier on the same day for slightly over $2.71m after 23 bidders registered for the auction which auctioneer Chris Scerri said was no small feat considering it had appeared “ambitious” prior to the auction Auctioneer Chris Scerri said developers had a keen interest in North Ryde But Mr Scerri added that much has changed in the area over a short time because of growing demand from developers said developers were honing in on the area because it was located near numerous job hubs and was a cheaper alternative to nearby areas such as Lane Cove they’re just more picky with where they buy and North Ryde is seen as a safe (investment),” he said Low listing numbers were funnelling the increased buyer demand to the same properties “In 13 years of selling real estate in the area I’ve only ever seen stock levels this low once Boutique property syndicator Quintessential Equity has made its single biggest acquisition yet of an existing property taking control of an office complex in Sydney’s north-west through a $115 million deal with ASX-listed Goodman The acquisition of the office complex at 3 Richardson Place in North Ryde was struck on a 6.7 per cent passing yield Auctioneer Michael Garofolo dropped the hammer on a home in Sydney’s northwest more than $400K over reserve A three-bedroom brick home ready for a knockdown rebuild in Sydney’s northwest sold for a massive $405K above reserve The home at 110 Eastview Ave, North Ryde went under the hammer for $2.285 million on Saturday morning in front of a large crowd The auction attracted 10 registered bidders said the opening bidder ended up buying the home having started with a first-up offer of $1.8 million He said the bidding got to $2m in just four bids before climbing in increments of $20,000 Auctioneer Michael Garofolo during an Auction at 110 Eastview Ave Tiny homes: solving affordability and housing crisis issues Hey Dad! writer’s $7m gem for sale “The vendors were very emotional,” he said “The buyers are a young family looking to rent out the home and eventually knock it down “Building a new home in North Ryde would have a $3m starting price any day of the week The auction was one of 772 across Sydney this week with another 941 on the books for next week as the spring season continues to ramp up with more bidders out and about PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty said Tuesday’s decision to pause interest rates for the third month in a row was “welcome news for buyers and sellers alike” the opening bid on a two-bedroom unit almost knocked out the entire competition of 33 registered bidders An apartment on Webbs Ave sold for $910,000 The auction of 1/14 Webbs Ave opened $50,000 above reserve at $880,000 and took only four more bids for the hammer to drop at $910,000 Stone Real Estate Newtown agents Joseph Tropiano and Irma Rinaudo said the result was “unheard of” with the unit next door selling for $680,000 we were guiding $700,000 but then it went up to $750-$800,000 due to the high level of interest,” Mr Tropiano said “We had a lot of interested buyers including parents there helping their older children to buy their first home “We had someone fly in from New Zealand for the auction and didn’t end up bidding.” Auctioneer Edward Riley said the opening bid “blew everyone out of the water” with many faces dropping He said the interest was driven by the location and said more stock across the market was giving buyers more choice and confidence The buyers were a young professional couple who were holidaying in Canada while the sellers were also away celebrating in Barcelona Mr Riley called another auction in Carlingford with the house selling $255,000 over reserve The five bedroom home at 22 Edinburgh Ave sold for $2,005,000 with three out of seven bidders active The five bedroom home in Carlingford sold $255K over reserve He said the final bid of $5000 knocked out the competition with the successful bidders a young couple who “couldn’t wipe the smile off their faces” The home at 1 Mead Street, Banksia sold under the hammer for $1.85m and attracted 20 registered bidders with eight active during the auction MORE: Inside ex-Qantas boss Alan Joyce’s $20m+ ‘retirement home’ New Sydney suburb price record set MasterChef champ celebrates new top shelf $5m home Ray White Rockdale agent Nick Economos said the sellers had owned the four bedroom home for 15 years and decided it was time to move on The buyers were a couple who are going to live in the main house and rent the granny flat “The main two bedroom house had a good mix of character with nice floorboards and it was on a corner block The granny flat was only two years old and had its own access,” Mr Economos said “The granny flat provided huge appeal as it was like its own separate two bedroom house “Buyers were a mix of owner occupiers interested in using it for generational living owner occupiers who wanted to just rent out the granny flat and investors who wanted to rent out both premises Someone could buy it and move in without having to spend a dollar.” a four-bedroom home in Loftus has sold more than $100,000 above reserve Auctioneer Andrew Cooley in action in Loftus First home buyers and couples keen to upsize fought for 5 Cassia Pl which went under the hammer for $1.355 million Auctioneer Andrew Cooley of Avenue Auctions said four out of the seven bidders were active with the buyers a young couple that are upsizing,” he said The home was in a cul-de-sac and had been held for 20 years Microsoft is set to shift its Australian head office from North Ryde to North Sydney taking a 10-year lease in a building shaping as a tower of tech The developers of the 1 Denison Street office tower said that Microsoft Australia would take 10,655 sqm across seven levels from 25 to 31 in the high-rise Microsoft will “consolidate a number of offices into the new North Sydney location including its current head office at North Ryde” Microsoft is planning to move into the new tower in mid-2021 following the building's completion in late 2020 Microsoft’s operations will be largely city-based split between North Sydney and its smaller technology centre in Martin Place “1 Denison gives Microsoft Australia the opportunity to create an environment in the heart of North Sydney’s CBD that inspires our people and showcases the best of Microsoft’s technology and services,” Microsoft Australia’s managing director Steven Worrall said “It will be a workplace that energises our employees and empowers them to do their best work while reflecting the culture and spirit of innovation inherent in the Microsoft brand 1 Denison will feature inspirational design and productivity solutions that facilitate the sharing of creative ideas and experiences for improved collaboration.  “The investment reflects Microsoft’s continued commitment to its employees customers and partners in Australia.” The same North Sydney building is also set to be home to SAP’s A/NZ headquarters. Nine Entertainment is also taking space in the new North Sydney tower CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) is divesting two Sydney hotels for $109 million amid continued strong investor activity in the Australian hotel sector The Courtyard by Marriott Sydney-North Ryde and Novotel Sydney Paramatta hotels are being acquired acquired by Silversea Investment Pty Ltd in deals which are expected to be completed in 1Q 2024 and 3Q 2024 respectively CBRE Hotels’ Michael Simpson and Vasso Zographou negotiated the transactions at a price 5% above CLAS’s book value In statement to the Singapore Stock Exchange Chief Executive Officer of the Managers of CapitaLand Ascott Trust said “The divestment of these two properties outside of central Sydney is part of our active portfolio reconstitution strategy CLAS remains focused on assets that offer better yields and will further uplift the value for our portfolio.” Part of the divestment proceeds will be used to partially finance CLAS’s acquisition of three prime lodging assets in London “Australia remains a key market for CLAS.  We continue to see strong demand from corporate and leisure guests for our serviced residences and hotels in Australia boosted by large scale sporting events.  Post-divestment our remaining seven serviced residences and hotels under management contracts will enable us to capture the travel demand while our five serviced residences under master leases will continue to provide us with stable income,” added Ms Teo The acquisitions are the latest for Silversea which also owns the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport hotel at Mascot The Royal Pacific Hotel at Lane Cove on Sydney’s North Shore and the Mercure Sydney Parramatta “The purchase of the CLAS properties represents astute buying with Novotel Sydney Parramatta positioned to benefit from the increasing importance of the Parramatta CBD as well as the unprecedented growth currently occurring in Greater Western Sydney the Courtyard by Marriott North Ryde will continue to service the ever-expanding Macquarie Business Park which provides a decentralised corporate solution to current work trends.”  Mr Zographou added “Both will benefit from additions to Sydney’s transport infrastructure such as the Metro which will enhance connectivity to the broader Sydney area The 2026 opening of the Western Sydney International Airport will provide a further source of demand.” The Novotel Sydney Parramatta offers 194 rooms as well as a 350-seat restaurant and lounge 11 multi-purpose meetings rooms and event space.  The Courtyard by Marriott Sydney-North Ryde offers 164 rooms a 100-seat restaurant and bar and seven event rooms Click here to join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest hotel news and trends. Copyright © Hotel News Resource & Nevistas | All rights reserved. ​The world's largest property investor Blackstone is selling its first ever retail property purchase in Australia – the Top Ryde City shopping centre in Sydney's north west, which it bought from receivers five years ago for $341 million The private equity group has spent about $90 million on the Top Ryde complex bringing the total shopping area to 76,958 square metres It is now likely to sell for about $700 million making it easily the biggest retail asset to sell this year Read MorePrivate equityLatest In PropertyFetching latest articles Manufacturer 3M Australia has taken out a one of the largest suburban office leases in Sydney this year committing to a new 10-year lease for the 8080 square metre office building at 1 Rivett Road has 1620 sq m floor plates and includes basement parking Read MoreLeasingLatest In PropertyFetching latest articles An unassuming three-bedroom house in North Ryde has sold for almost $500,000 more than when it last sold three months ago The 582 square metre block at 27 Numa Road, sold just days before Christmas last year for $2,125,000 The humble home had a pending development application for a duplex No sooner than two weeks after settling on the property the vendor – a developer builder – re-sold it for a tidy sum of $2,620,000 to a fellow developer builder You would be forgiven for thinking a major renovation or improvement had been made to the home but apart from a pending development application for a duplex Belle Property Ryde selling agent Alex Macri said he matched the vendor with the successful buyer who had missed out on multiple properties at auctions The home last traded days before Christmas for $2,125,000 “The seller was planning on developing the site but decided the market is still great and if there were any buyers considering to secure the property off market he would sell it,” Mr Macri said “But if the price was not at his expectation he would just build the project.” and while the complying development certificate – a stringent but fast-tracked development approval – is yet to be finalised the new buyer was satisfied to proceed with the purchase The property changed hands between two developer builders who were interested in it for its knock-down rebuild potential It’s not the first time builders have snapped up recently sold properties and paid more who said there was strong demand for duplexes as they are a more affordable option than free-standing houses you’re looking to spend around the $3.5 million mark That’s why [duplexes] continue to sell really well “There is a lot of land that has sold in the last 12 months [and] there will be a lot of duplexes in the marketplace A brand-new house in the area costs north of $3 million increased 41.1 per cent in the year to January 2022 Economist at the Housing Industry Association Angela Lillicrap said the property type was becoming more popular due to houses becoming less affordable but at some point they become unaffordable When you have the choice between a house and unit so they’re higher-density but with the space and benefit of more traditional detached housing.” Cooley Auctions auctioneer Michael Garofolo said while this sale was a stand-out result he had seen many builders willing to pay strong prices for shovel-ready homes All that red tape and bureaucratic stuff is done,” Mr Garofolo said their property grew 23 per cent in price in just three months “Where are you going to get that unless you’re at a roulette table I ain’t putting $3 million on black,” Mr Garofolo said The 582 square metre block at sold just days before Christmas last year for $2,125,000 the vendor \\u2013 a developer builder \\u2013 re-sold it \\u201CThe seller was planning on developing the site but decided the market is still great and if there were any buyers considering to secure the property off market he would sell it,\\u201D Mr Macri said \\u201CBut if the price was not at his expectation he would just build the project.\\u201D and while the complying development certificate \\u2013 a stringent but fast-tracked development approval \\u2013 is yet to be finalised It\\u2019s not the first time builders have snapped up recently sold properties and paid more if you\\u2019re looking for a brand-new house you\\u2019re looking to spend around the $3.5 million mark That\\u2019s why [duplexes] continue to sell really well \\u201CThere is a lot of land that has sold in the last 12 months [and] there will be a lot of duplexes in the marketplace is the next option,\\u201D Ms Lillicrap said so they\\u2019re higher-density but with the space and benefit of more traditional detached housing.\\u201D \\u201CIf you can give them a DA-approved home All that red tape and bureaucratic stuff is done,\\u201D Mr Garofolo said \\u201CBuilders don\\u2019t want to do that \\u201CWhere are you going to get that unless you\\u2019re at a roulette table I ain\\u2019t putting $3 million on black,\\u201D Mr Garofolo said A major project is nearing completion at the North Ryde Golf Club near Sydney Architect James Wilcher of the Golf By Design firm has worked alongside the course’s superintendent Ron Duffy and his team on the project which has seen the introduction of new greens on holes one GCA spoke to Wilcher about a project that has successfully overcome a series of hurdles “The project required some government funding to make it financially viable for the club and after a close vote of members they elected to proceed which led to a lot of negative perceptions of the project,” Wilcher explained “Now after 18 months and two stages of construction we are within a week of finishing the whole project Golf By Design has acted for the club as architects and project managers leading the consultant team to firstly get building approvals and now managing all facets of construction of the project.” there isn’t a negative word from members –they just can’t wait to play the new holes,” added Wilcher “Not only will the club have some new and interesting holes but it should be self-sufficient in terms of irrigation water with the storage capacity of the three dams that have been built totalling nearly 28 megalitres This should reduce the club’s yearly water bills by about AUS$150,000 the campus office asset contains two six storey buildings with a combined 17,178 square metres of A-grade area Colliers’ Jon Chomley and Sophie Tieman were the agents Seven weeks ago, via the same brokers, Goodman sold an office in the neighbouring Macquarie Park to AEW Capital for $144m – a deal reflecting a 5.1pc return Last September the vendor banked $306m trading another commercial investment in that suburb to Singapore’s Keppel REIT The North Ryde property will be held by Quintessential’s Master Fund No 2 – a blind trust seeded in December with a Brisbane factoryette investment (story continues below) Three Richardson Pl occupiers include Pronto Software and the City of Ryde – each which have naming rights – with SAGE Automation and Progility Technologies North Ryde and West Ryde stage a post-COVID comeback in 2021Amanda Sheppeard Ryde and its northern and western neighbours are making a solid comeback in the housing market in 2021 notching up at least 20 sales so far this year over $2.5 million Families from all over the greater Sydney area are targeting the suburb brand new builds or near-new houses on generous blocks How you can be ScoMo’s neighbour a house in Ryde cost a median price of $855,000 – today that median has almost doubled to $1.7 million According to realestate.com.au’s latest Market Trends report the Ryde median house sale price has risen 14.2 per cent in the past 12 months There have been two reported sales so far this year for $3 million or more, according to CoreLogic. These include 10 Kuppa Rd, Ryde, in May, for $3 million, and 11 Bird St, Ryde There have been eight reported sales in Ryde so far this year for more than $2.5 million The suburb house sale record of $3.95 million was set in December 2018 with the sale of a five-bedroom home on 1044sqm at 16 Collingwood Drive where the median house price 10 years ago was $772,500 Today the house median has more than doubled to $1.645 million which represents a 11.5 per growth cent in the past 12 months is due to go to auction later this month with a guide of $2.8 million There haven’t been any $3 million-plus reported sales in West Ryde this year but there have been three sales for more than $2.5 million The suburb house sale record of $3.865 million was set in April 2017 with the sale of a six-bedroom home on 1189sqm at 48 Farnell St North Ryde has kicked some solid goals this year, setting a new suburb house sale record in February this year with the sale of a four-bedroom home with attached two-bedroom dwelling six-bedroom home on 645sqm at 39 Beswick Ave, North Ryde There have also been six reported sales this year for more than $2.5 million Ten years ago the median price of a house in North Ryde was $845,000 – today that has almost doubled to $1.685 million and represents a rise of eight per cent in the past 12 months is due to go to auction on May 22 with a guide of $2.9 million said young families were leading the charge for new homes in the area and he had also seen an interesting rise in the number of returning expats looking to settle in the Ryde area “The area just seems to have gone through this really long gentrification process and people are now coming here for our community lifestyle and proximity to everything,” he said “In the top tier there is a lot of pent-up buyer demand we are seeing some incredible auction results.” Mr Mulae and colleague Trisha Guo have a stunning trophy home they plan to take to auction later this month and he is expecting it to achieve a strong result No. 17 Schumack St, North Ryde is located in the suburbs’ Golden Triangle and has been designed and constructed by ARC Homes Australia high ceilings and features extensive use of glass The home is due to go to auction on May 29 with a guide of $2.8 million Mr Mulae has teamed up with colleague Martika Whitfield to take 5 Arthur St, Ryde two-level home is close to parklands and walking tracks and its elevated position captures views to the Harbour Bridge and CBD Features include a rear deck with outdoor kitchen designer gas kitchen has a Miele suite of appliances and butler’s pantry media room that opens to an all-weather terrace Mr Mulae said the strong prices being achieved in the area should give existing owners and buyers confidence for the future “It really has come of age but there is still plenty of room for growth,” he said SIGN UP HERE FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER An apartment in Sydney has been snapped up in a matter of days despite the real estate agent publicly hiking the rent by an extra $170 a week. The apartment in North Ryde, in Sydney's northwest, was first listed on real estate app Domain on February 1 for $680. However five days later, the price of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment jumped to $850 a week - a whopping 25 per cent price jump. Despite the rent hike, the apartment was quickly snapped up for the higher price and was taken off the market on February 6. A photo of the listing was shared to Reddit on Tuesday, with the original poster 'Izeshim' sarcastically captioning the listing 'what rental crisis?' 'Been searching left and right for a place near my office and this is the result,' Izeshim wrote.  'Please send help. I'm a good tenant but I'm not even given a chance.'  The Reddit user explained he previously lived 'out west' but was looking for a place closer to his work so he could avoid travel costs and the gruelling two-hour commute. He claimed a group of 10 students were at the open-home to inspect the property and said he believed the apartment was leased to them.   Daily Mail Australia has contacted Premium Plus Properties, the agency that listed the home, for comment.   Under NSW real estate laws, agents and landlords are not permitted to solicit or invite a person to offer more than the advertised rent.  However, landlords are allowed to encourage a prospective renter to make their own decision about the value of the property and the rent they wish to pay for it. Reddit users labelled Sydney's housing crisis a 'total hell', with many sharing similar stories of being priced out of their rental.  'We've been living a block from Central in a two-bed, two-bath, one park spot for $760. They've just sent a notice of increase to $890,' one person wrote.  Another commented: 'It is TOTAL HELL out there and it is the absolute same in every suburb. My friend take what you can get.'  'Our rental just went up from $670 to $855, I have no option as I cannot afford to move nor to risk loosing the roof over our head, as we are not under a current lease.  'I just do not know what to do any more as the Landlord owns my soul, my happiness and my entire life and future.' A third joked: 'Can I use a kidney for bond?'  'Can confirm its awful, we're about the hit the road and nomad around the country for about a year because we can't bare to pay rent anymore,' another person wrote. As of December 2022, the total number of rental vacancies in Australia was 39,569 residential properties, according to SQM Research.  Sydney's vacancy rate rose 0.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent in December; Melbourne from 1.5 per cent to 1.7 per cent; and Brisbane from 0.8 per cent to 1.1 per cent. Vacancy rates also rose in Canberra and Darwin to 1.9 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively. Vacancy rates across the CBD in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne increased to 3.6. 3.3 and 1.8 per cent.  However, SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher warned rental conditions would tighten in January, February and March with as an influx of students descend on capital cities.  'The rise in residential property vacancies was to be expected given the annual exodus of students at the end of the year,' Mr Christopher said. 'This should quickly turn over in January and February in particular—normally a time when rental demand surges and there is short supply. 'At this stage asking rents are still surging ahead. We are just not seeing any relief.'  Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... 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