McGrath Knight Frank principals Owen Moore, Henry Burke and Brennan Latimer.
Undersupply and population growth could see the value of apartments bought off the plan on Australia’s east coast rise up to 15 per cent by the time they’re complete, it’s been predicted.
The optimistic forecast came amid the announcement by real estate giants McGrath and Knight Frank, who partnered in 2024, of a new dual-branded division to promote apartments.
McGrath Chief Executive John McGrath said: “As many buyers of new projects originate from overseas including Australian expats, we have found our partnership with Knight Frank is invaluable.
“So we have forged a new division, McGrath Knight Frank Projects, for our Project Marketing specialists.”
He said the establishment of the dual-branded offering was underpinned by McGrath Research, with the goal being to help determine the best projects suited to local, national and international buyers.
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Artist impression of Halcyon, a 105-apartment tower proposed for Surfers Paradise, where prices start at $1.2m and go up to $15m.
Michelle Ciesielski, National Head of McGrath Research, said that despite new build and lending challenges, close to 76,000 new apartments were now under construction for delivery by 2030 along the east coast, with another 20,000 being actively marketed.
“Given persistent undersupply and solid population growth, many east coast projects that break ground today could potentially see an average of up to 15 per cent price growth by completion,” she said.
“Amid global uncertainty, buying new apartments in Australia remain a safe haven for locals, expats and international buyers with transparent ownership, reliable returns and added rental supply.”
The new McGrath Knight Frank project marketing principal for Queensland, Owen Moore, said: “With international events coming to our shores such as the Rugby World Cup and Olympic Games, the global attention is going to transform some of Queensland’s major markets.”
An artist’s impression of the $1bn Hamilton Grove project Brisbane, with 60 residences priced between $1.75m and $20m.
The announcement came as the real estate juggernauts unveiled a multibillion-dollar residential pipeline.
The new project marketing team is set to unite more than 50 residential sales and marketing professionals operating across Australia’s east coast and aims to double their 2025 sales of circa 1000 across the Melbourne, Sydney and South East Queensland.
International buyers are still allowed to invest and buy new homes in Australia with the intention to expand the number of rental homes available.
Non-resident buyers in Australia trended between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of all new home purchases in the past year.
Down the eastern seaboard, South-East Queensland has seen apartment values rise sharply in the lead up to a significant infrastructure spend ahead of the Olympic games in 2032 with some buying as an investment play whilst others are buying to relocate.
NSW developers remain focused on delivering luxury apartments to balance their feasibilities given the high cost of land and construction.
And artist’s impression of Kew Tallawong, Sydney, 456 apartments priced between $560k and $1m.
And the researchers say that Victoria is well-placed for its relative value for interstate investors as locals upsize to high-quality apartments with premium design and lifestyle amenities.
Mr McGrath said that along with Owen Moore heading up the South East Queensland region, Brennan Latimer would be the Melbourne head and Henry Burke the Sydney chief.
Mr Moore and Mr Latimer collectively have more than three decades of experience in project marketing, and have moved to McGrath Knight Frank Projects from another major brand.
Mr Burke will join the team after being Head of Projects at McGrath and has more than 16 years’ experience in the industry.
Park Modern. South Melbourne, will consist of 246 residences priced between $690k and $6.8m.
Mr Latimer said: The Victorian market is particularly exciting given the value opportunity in Melbourne metro when compared to our other capitals, and when coupled with the future growth prospects creates an exciting opportunity for developers and buyers alike.”
Mr Burke said: “With over $3 billion of apartment and master planned projects launching to market in Greater Sydney over the next 18 months, we see our role as the bridge between visionary developers and astute buyers, ensuring every project we represent stands out in a competitive landscape.”
Knight Frank Chief Executive Officer James Patterson said: “We are thrilled to be building on our partnership with McGrath with the establishment of the dual-branded McGrath Knight Frank Projects arm.
“We’re looking forward to providing all of our developer clients, regardless of size, with a full-service offering, from the purchase of a site right through to the marketing and completion of a project, with our sales teams working closely with the Projects team.”
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