Showing posts with label Festival Towers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Festival Towers. Show all posts

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Brisbane Apartment Market Update

In the downtown area of Brisbane, there are a few new apartment buildings adding stock to the market.  These include:

  • Mary Lane which is on top of the newly opened Westin Hotel in Mary Street, with many apartments sitting empty (this is the replacement for 111+222 that did not go ahead)
  • 443 Queen Street, on the Brisbane River, which is currently under construction
  • Brisbane SkyTower, which is nearing completion but with the lower floors occupied prior to completion (this is the other part of the replacement for 111+222 that did not go ahead)
  • The One Residents at Brisbane Quarter (which is where the W Hotel is located), currently under construction
  • Spire Apartments on Queen St, but not riverfront, complete but with very few new apartments available for sale

For sales of existing apartments, the trends depend upon the building (quality and location).  Ray White has recently published a report of sales from October 2018 to December 2018.  It shows:

- In some buildings, there have been no sales.  These are good quality buildings, in good locations, with large apartments and fewer apartments.  The owners don't want to sell.  There are less renters and more owner occupiers.  An example is Admiralty Towers Two, at 501 Queen St on the river.

- In some buildings, there are a few sales, and there have been capital gains over the past 10 years.  For example, in this period, a large 1 bedroom in Quay West on Alice St has increased in price from about $390,000 to $525,000.  Riverplace has also done well over the past 10 years.

- In buildings which are in second rate locations, with a poor quality build, there have been no capital gains over the past ten years, and in reality, capital losses.  Buildings by Devine (and the people who did this are now at Metro) are an example.  For example, in Festival Towers, a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car was selling for about $500,000 ten years ago, and one sold recently for $470,000.  In Charlotte Towers, 1 bed 1 bath no car apartments have been selling consistently in the price range of $300,000 to $330,000 for the past 10 years with no capital gain.  Unilodge (which is really student accommodation) has stayed flat at the $125,000 to $130,000 range for ten years.


Thursday, January 26, 2017

Brisbane City Apartment Sales

Recent sales in November and December 2016:

Parklands
Apt 3104 - 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $590,000
Apt 3036 - 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $650,000

Charlotte Towers
Apt 1207 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $460,000
Apt 1502 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $490,000
Apt 1704 - 1 bed, 1 bath, 0 car - $322,500
Apt 602 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $510,000

Riparian
Apt 4301 - 3 bed, 3 bath, 2 car - $2,562,000

Admiralty Towers One
Apt 135 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $615,000
Apt 21 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $720,000

Admiralty Towers Two
Apt 29 - 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car - $1,059,000

Meriton Infinity
Apt 2907 - 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $420,000
Apt 5006 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $600,000
Apt 5406 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $580,000

Riverplace
Apt 109 - 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $516,800

Festival Towers
Apt 2905 - 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $390,000

Aurora
Apt 248 - 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $400,000

Capital gains were best for direct riverfront buildings and worst for the large apartment towers built by Devine (Charlotte Towers and Festival Towers and Aurora).  The Devine developers now run Metro.


Monday, March 14, 2016

Recent Apartment Sales in Brisbane 4000

Here are some recent sales (all early 2016) with actual sales prices of apartments in Brisbane Postcode 4000.  These are all B and C quality buildings, and so expect to pay more for A quality:
  • Skyline, Apt 91, 30 Macrossan Street, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car - $747,000
  • Skyline, Apt 261, 30 Macrossan Street, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 cars - $800,000
  • Skyline, Apt 41, 30 Macrossan Street, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car - $731,500
  • Festival Towers, Apt 3605, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $529,000
  • Festival Towers, Apt 4006, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $570,000
  • Festival Towers, Apt 1805, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $342,500
  • Festival Towers, Apt 2503, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $499,000
  • Charlotte Towers, Apt 508, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $350,000
  • Charlotte Towers, Apt 2902, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $540,000
  • M on Mary, Apt 3204, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $356,000
  • M on Mary, Apt 607, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $360,000
  • M on Mary, Apt 2609, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $327,000
  • Felix, Apt 303, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $600,000
  • Meriton Herschel St (Infinity), 2 bed, 2 bath, no car - $580,000
  • Meriton Soleil - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $575,000
  • Vue, 92 Quay St, Apt 2301, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $460,000
  • Vue, 92 Quay St, Apt 2602, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $437,500

Monday, January 4, 2016

Brisbane apartment market looking grim

According to the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index, dwelling values were absolutely flat across the combined capitals during December, with negative movements in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra being offset by a rise in dwelling values across the remaining five capital cities. The Sydney housing market was the main drag on the December results, with dwelling values down 1.2%, while values were down 1.5% in Adelaide and 1.1% in Canberra, and down 0.5% for Brisbane apartments.

See full report here.

Brisbane apartment prices (to 31 December 2015):
December 2015 - down 0.5%
Quarter - no change
Year on Year - up 1.8%
Median price based on settled sales of Brisbane apartments over the quarter - $390,000

This is not a good result for the Brisbane apartment market for 2015.

The long term view for the Brisbane apartment market looks very uncertain.

There are a huge number of apartments being constructed.  There are also a number of new hotels opening, which impacts the short term rental markets (for example,  negatively impacting rents in apartment buildings such as Charlotte Towers, Aurora, Felix, Casino Towers and Festival Towers).  At present, from my informal survey, rents are decreasing in Brisbane and vacancy periods are significantly increasing.  This will only get worse.  I am not the only one say this.  See AFR article.

It is likely that valuations for new apartments sold off the plan in Brisbane will come in lower than the contract price, which may impact whether non-cash buyers will be able to settle.

My prediction for 2016 is that we may see values fall in 2nd tier buildings and remain flat in prestige buildings.  Rents will likely continue to decrease.  It looks grim.  What happened to the Gold Coast about 5 years ago (remember, Soul, Hilton and Oracle) may happen in Brisbane this year or next.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Recent Brisbane Apartment Sales


iStay River City - 79 Albert St

Apt 1201, 1 bed, 1 bath - sold on 27 July for $335,000

Charlotte Towers - 128 Charlotte St

Apt 2404 - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 27 July for $340,000
Apt 1201 - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 18 July for $365,000
Apt 4403 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 29 May for $650,000
Apt 2803 - 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - sold on 2 May for $495,000

Skyline - 30 Macrossan St

Apt 53 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 27 July for $603,000
Apt 193 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 2 June for $618,500
Apt 31 - sold on 16 May for $750,000

M on Mary - 70 Mary St

Apt 1205 - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 2 July for $322,500
Apt 4302 - 5 bed, 3 bath, 3 car - sold on 31 May for $1.9M
Apt 1009  - 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - sold on 26 May for $365,000
Apt 506  - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 10 May for $395,000

Festival Towers - 108 Albert St

Apt 3807 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 30 June for $516,000
Apt 1503 - 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - sold on 25 June for $460,000
Apt 4007 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 10 June for $541,000
Apt 704 - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 5 June for $298,500
Apt 2610 - 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - sold on 3 June for $400,000
Apt 905 - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 2 June for $319,500
Apt 2510 - 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold on 22 May for $350,000
Apt 2301 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 9 May for $525,000
Apt 508 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 8 May for $475,000

Felix - 26 Felix St

Apt 217 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 29 June for $580,000

Riverplace - 82 Boundary St

Apt 92 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 27 June for $645,000
Apt 147 - 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - sold on 23 June for $551,000
Apt 52 - 2 bed, 1 bath, 2 car - sold on 7 May for $650,000

Admiralty Towers One - 35 Howard St

Apt 44 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 8 June for $810,000
Apt 146, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 12 May for $585,000

Infinity - 43 Herschel St

Apt 3807 - sold on 27 May for $400,000
Apt 4303 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 26 May for $630,000
Apt 6304 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 20 May for $640,000

212 Margaret St

Apt 82 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 26 May for $555,000

Admiralty Quays - 32 Macrossan St

Apt 137 - 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 cars - sold on 12 May for $1,100,000
Apt 34 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 2 May for $850,000

Riparian - 71 Eagle St

Apt 4302 - 1 bed, 2 bath, 2 car - sold on 8 May for $1.5M

Admiralty Towers Two - 501 Queen St

Apt 166 - 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car sold on 28 April for $979,900

Aurora - 420 Queen St

Apt 301 - 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold on 26 April for $627,500

Quay West - 132 Alice St

Apt 103 - 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - sold on 24 April for $510,000

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Brothel in your building

There is an interesting article in Domain regarding a Sydney apartment building that became home to a brothel.  In Brisbane, a number of inner city apartment buildings are used by travelling escorts on a regular basis to see their customers.  Some of the escorts are Eastern European, posing as tourists.  Many are from Australia or NZ.  An example list of visiting tourists is here.

Based on the informal surveys I have done, the preferred Brisbane apartment buildings for travelling escorts are [X ]and [Y].  M on Mary is also popular.

If you reside in one of these buildings, you may find that your neighbour for a week is a busy busty blonde from Prague with many male friends.

For reference,  an old Commissioner's decision on this topic is here.

Update on May 8, 2014:

The blog received a letter of demand from a management rights owner, threatening a lawsuit.  As a result, the names of two buildings have been deleted from this post at the present time.  Before buying or renting in an inner-city apartment building, it is recommended to conduct appropriate investigations.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Festival Towers lawsuit

Many owners of apartments in Festival Towers in Brisbane, and the body corporate, are suing Devine Limited and Brookfield Multiplex Constructions for a large amount of damages concerning the construction (and alleged construction defects) in Festival Towers.  Details of the lawsuit can be found here on the Supreme Court website.  I have been told that there have been special body corporate levies to partially fund the lawsuit.

Any prospective purchaser should have their lawyers study the lawsuit paperwork, including the schedule of defects, in detail.

At the time of development and construction of Festival Towers, Devine Limited was run by David Devine, with Ken Woodley as the senior person on the sales side.  Devine and Woodley are now running Metro Property Group, which is a marvellous sales machine.

Festival Towers, managed by Oaks, doesn't have the greatest feeling in my view.  Partly short term accommodation and partly foreign students (packed into small apartments, and sleeping in hallways and living rooms), and a popular place for travelling hookers, Festival Towers has always disappointed me.

In my opinion, purchasing apartments off-the-plan has risks, because you don't know the level of quality that will actually be delivered.  The sales contract is most often in the developer's favour.  In a number of circumstances, I have seen glossy brochures inferring high quality, but the product that is delivered is low quality.  For this reason, I always take that view that off-the-plan pricing should be less than current market pricing to take into account this risk.  Unfortunately, most developers are selling apartments off-the-plan at prices that are higher than you could buy an existing similar apartment -- the only difference being age.

An agent I spoke to recently who was selling off-the-plan informed me that his competition was not other new developments, but resale apartments in recently finished buildings by the same developer.  He said the price of the resale apartments was about 15% less than his almost identical new, under construction apartments.  And buying an existing apartment is way less risky than purchasing off-the-plan.

Recent Apartment Sales in Downtown Brisbane

Evolution
  Apt 171, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $310,000
Grosvenor
  Apt 107 - $1.3M
Skyline
  Apt 61, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $715,000
  Apt 94, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $790,000
  Apt 363, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $587,500
Charlotte Towers
  Apt 3206, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $335,000
  Apt 3508, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - $317,000
  Apt 4009, 1, bed, 1 bath, no car - $347,000
Metro 21
  Apt 3001, 2 bed, 2 bath - $553,500
Quay West
  Apt 129, 3 bed, 3 car - $1M
Riverplace
  Apt 304, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $1M
  Apt 272, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $675,000
  2 bed, 2 bath - $527,000
Festival Towers
  2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $457,500
  Apt 1906, 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $309,000
Admiralty Quays
  Apt 78, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car - $920,000
  Apt 76, 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $550,000
  Apt 46, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $780,000

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Festival Towers

I visited Festival Towers recently for an open house.  The building and common facilities are looking tired, the apartment looked worn out, and there were a large crowd of tourists in the small lobby area.  The building is used as a "hotel" by Oaks.  It is a building that is popular for touring escorts.

Values are not holding up.  For example, apartment 3607, on a high floor, has 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms.  It was sold off the plan in 2006 by Devine (now running Metro Property Group) for $530,000.  It was resold in late December 2012 for $455,000.

The apartment next door, apartment 3608, sold off the plan in 2006 for $546,000.  Two beds, two bathrooms, 2 cars, 103 sqm.  It resold in early December 2012 for $485,300.

Either a good building for bargains, or a building that has long term problems, depending on your view of the world.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Recent Apartment Sales in Brisbane CBD

Riparian Tower - Apt 4101 - 9 November for $3.3M after owner purchased it in June 2012 for the same price. [A reader has emailed me to say that this is incorrect.  I obtained this information from the RP Data database.  The 9 November sale information is as reported to RP Data by North South Realty.  The June 2012 sales data is from government records.]

MacArthur Chambers - 229 Queen St - Apt 205 - 1 bedroom - sold for $540,000
Apt 402 - two bedrooms - sold for $725,000

M on Mary - 70 Mary Street - Apt 2302 - 1 bedroom, no car - sold for $341,000

Festival Towers - 108 Albert Street - Apt 4105 - 2 bedrooms - sold for $452,000 (seller had paid $515,000 in 2007 off-the-plan buying from Devine).

Riverplace - 82 Boundary St - Apt 167 - 2 bedrooms - sold for $495,000

River City - 79 Albert Street - Apt 2706 - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom - $420,000

Monday, March 26, 2012

Ray White Auction Results

I went to the Ray White auction yesterday.  Some results concerning apartments:
  • Apt 2804 Charlotte Towers, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car - sold prior to auction
  • Apt 2808 Charlotte Towers, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - sold for $510,000.
  • Apt 3409, Festival Towers, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - passed in at $480,000.
  • Apt 287, River Place, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - unsold, inspect now!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Recent Brisbane City Apartment Sales

Here are the recent reported apartment sales in the larger Brisbane downtown buildings.  Most of these sales closed in the period from late October to early December 2011.

Charlotte Towers
  • Apt 2110, 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $382,000
Aurora
  • Apt 393, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $665,000
  • Apt 236, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $515,000
  • Apt 512, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $582,000
Festival Towers
  • Apt 3401, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $475,000
  • Apt 1707, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $440,000
  • Apt 2110, 1 bed, 1 bath, ? car - $350,000
Felix
  • Apt 356, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $505,000
  • Apt 276, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $492,000
River Place (82 Boundary Street)
  • Apt 302, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $690,000
  • Apt 326, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car - $1,497,000
  • Apt 231, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $423,000
  • Apt 110, 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $410,000
Skyline
  • Apt 55, 1 bed - $320,000
  • Apt 131, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $700,000
Admiralty Quays
  • Apt 9, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $900,000
  • Apt 67, 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car - $580,000
  • Apt 135, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car - $780,000
Admiralty Towers Two
  • Apt 57, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car (103 sqm) - $660,000
No reported recent sales (last October to early December) in Casino Towers, Quay West or Admiralty Towers One.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Recent Brisbane Auction Results

Just over a week ago, Ray White had an auction where 12 Brisbane inner city apartments went to auction. Only one sold at auction (1201 in UniLodge for just over $100,000). Over a week after the auction, most of the apartments that did not sell at the auction are still listed for sale. Why vendors decide to go to auction in Brisbane amazes me. These apartments are not selling at the prices listed below, so the market must be saying that they are worth less than this. And why buy an off the plan apartment for more than these prices? Some examples of the many apartments that Ray White was unable to sell:
  • Felix, Apt 121, 1 bed, no car - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $330,000
  • Felix, Apt 147, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car, end apartment - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $470,000
  • Charlotte Towers, Apt 605, 1 bed, no car - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $315,000
  • Charlotte Towers, Apt 2401, 1 bed, 1 car - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for at the unrealistic price of $410,000
  • Festival Towers, Apt 906, 1 bed, no car - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $320,000
  • River Park Central - Apt 603, 2 bed, 2 bath - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $410,000
  • River City, Apt 1803, 2 bed, 2 bath - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $433,000
  • Aurora, Apt 626, 3 bed - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $1,300,000
  • Grosvenor, Apt 1504, 3 bed - - failed to sell at or after auction, now listed for $1,800,000

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Sales in Charlotte Towers and Festival Towers

The following are all reported sales from December 2010 to now in Charlotte Towers and Festival Towers.

Charlotte Towers, 128 Charlotte St, Brisbane

Apt 3607, 2 bed, 1 bath, high floor, western side, $430,000
Apt 2407, 2 bed $520,000
Apt 803, 2 bed, 1 bath, low floor, overlooking Wintergarden $429,000
Apt 2805, 1 bed, 1 bath, 1 car, overlooking Wintergarden $350,000
Apt 1404, 1 bed, 1 bath, no car, overlooking Wintergarden $350,000

There are one bedrooms without car parking available in Charlotte Towers for sale for less than $300,000. For example, this apartment is listed at $299,000. Or $320,000. Or $325,000.

Festival Towers, 108 Albert St, Brisbane

Apt 202, 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 level, can be used for commercial premises $550,000
Apt 4108, $649,000
Apt 1511, 1 bedroom, $350,000
Apt 2209, 2 bed, 2 bath, $473,000

Friday, May 6, 2011

Oaks

The Oaks Group manages a number of Brisbane apartments, including Charlotte Towers, Aurora, Festival Towers and Felix.

The Australian reports:

"Auditors had also warned of "inherent uncertainty" regarding Oaks's ability to continue as a going concern, with the company owing more than $70m to ANZ and NAB banks."


"The directors of Oaks yesterday proved they had not given up, issuing a brief statement to say that the company had been presented with a counter takeover offer believed to be pitched at 60 cents which it was examining."


Sunday, April 17, 2011

Albert Street


Photo of Albert Street, showing M on Mary and Festival Towers. Note that these buildings will be impacted if and when the small 6 story building in the front of the photo is demolished and a new high rise is built on that site. See here, and here.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Recent Auctions

  • 2602/108 Albert St (Festival Towers) - 2 bedrooms - one of the better apartments in the building - withdrawn from auction and now listed at "over $500,000"
  • 110/540 Queen Street (Willahra Tower) - studio - failed to sell - highest bid was a vendor's bid of $175,000
I have attended a few open houses on recent weekends, for 2 bedroom apartments in the middle ring suburbs, selling at less than $500,000. I was the only person who attended each open house. Not that many buyers around.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Oaks In Financial Troubles?

Oak's financial model is very precarious. Oaks makes its profit from renting apartments owned by others. All owners of apartments that Oaks manage as their real estate agent can terminate their appointment of Oaks on 90 days notice or less.
Extension to Finance Facilities
Oaks has successfully obtained an extension of its finance facilities to 28 February 2011 as it works through a refinancing process. Oaks' debt levels as at 31 December 2010 is approximately $76 million. Oaks is trying to raise not less than $15 million to be applied towards debt reduction.
Receivers appointed to one of Oaks' substantial shareholders
On 27 January 2011, a notice was lodged with ASX by the receives and managers of The Oaks Apartment Management Pty Ltd and Centrepoint Holdings Pty Ltd, companies associated with the CEO of Oaks, Mr Brett Pointon. These two companies hold over 36% of Oaks' share capital.
Oaks' shares dropped 23% on Friday. See The Age & Courier Mail story.
Colin Archer from Archers Body Corporate Services is a director of Oaks.
Oaks is the onsite caretaker and letting agent for Charlotte Towers, Festival Towers, Casino Towers and Felix.
Oaks profit crashed from $9.7m (2009) to $3.9M (2010). As a result, Oaks did some restructuring, including centralisation of all reservations (which is not always good for the landlords who have appointed Oaks to manage their apartment) and the formation of Housekeepers Pty Ltd as a profit centre in its own right to replace external cleaners and lift levels of service (which sounds like an admission that housekeeping and maintenance was not well done in the past). This raises issues for the body corporate and owners, if the onsite caretaker (Oaks) is contracting Housekeepers to do maintenance paid for by the body corporate.
Brett Pointon's company, Collections Enterprises Pty Ltd, purchased 4 management rights from Oaks in 2009, including 212 Margaret, which was badly damaged in the flood, and Lexicon.
Lots of related party transactions. Not good financial management by Pointon. He is trumpeted as the brains behind Oaks. Sounds like one should avoid doing business with Oaks or investing in Oaks!

From the Oaks website:
"The principles and ethics that firmly ground The Oaks Group were laid down by CEO Brett Pointon over many years of personal experience in strata-titled property management. The group’s impressive increase in its portfolio of properties under management since its foundation in the early 1990’s is thus anchored to astute knowledge of this unique industry. Known for his pro-active, hands on approach, Brett Pointon leads by example, creating an environment in which innovation in marketing is balanced by the utilisation of proven strategic planning systems."

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Flood Building Update From Readers

212 Margaret Street still out of power, energex is talking about getting in a generator. Plus the lift shaft seems to be damaged so no go on the lifts either at the moment! No one can tell me when it will be up and running but it doesn't look good to be honest - apparently there was a lot of damage downstairs and a great deal of debris.

Riverplace Apartments maintained electrical power during the floods, so the basement carpark sustained only a few inches of water and no forced evacuation.

Admiralty Towers One - building evacuation still in force; at least 48 hours to occupancy. Lifts not working.

All services to Admiralty Quays have now been restored including all four levels of car parking in the basement.

Admiralty Two: There is still some water in the high rise lift well, and Kone cannot bring lifts into service until this water is completely drained. Owners who live in the high rise may use the low rise lifts to go to level 21, then use the fire escape to access their level. Our security guard will be on duty tonight. He has a fob for high rise owners to access level 21. Priority will be given to get at least one high rise lift operational tomorrow (Wednesday).

Water's Edge: The Developer has been working with us to clear the basements and this has nearly been completed. The cleanup in the basement should begin Tuesday 18/1/11. There is damage to the electrical boards that were located in the basement, however the repairs are expected to begin as soon as possible.

Emporium Valley: Operating normally with exception of Toulouse North Tower where power is yet to be re-instated and lift access restored. We are hopeful power will be back by Wednesday this week.

Oaks Festival Towers: Still pumping water from basement on Wednesday afternoon.

KoKo West End: Basement flooded and building evacuated

Left Bank, West End: Basement badly flooded

120 Mary Street: "Unfortunately due to flood damage the Quest River Park Central is currently closed. It is hoped to have the building back open by mid next week; however no date can be provided at this point. More information to be posted as it comes to us. "

Private property developer Mark Stockwell said the group's Riverpoint apartments at West End had water in the basement. The floodwaters did not reach the residential floors. "The water has now all been pumped out and there was some damage to the electricals, which is now being fixed."

Friday, December 24, 2010

Capital Growth

In December's Australian Property Investor magazine, there is a chart from Collier's that lists average capital growth and average hold years for certain Brisbane apartments, as at August 2010. The capital growth period and methodology to produce these figures is not disclosed:

Casino Towers - 5.9%, 3.7 years average hold
Aurora - 5.4%, 3.6 years average hold
Felix - 5.25%, 3.8 years average hold
Quay West - 4.9%, 5.1 years average hold
Festival Towers - 2.3%, 3.9 years average hold
M on Mary - 1.1%, 2.9 years average hold
Charlotte Towers, 0.9%, 3.5 years average hold.

My guess is that the hold period is calculated from when the off-the-plan contract is signed, not when settlement takes place.

Off-the-plan investors in Devine's Festival Towers and Charlotte Towers have clearly lost money. A word of warning for investors in Devine's Hamilton Harbour. Devine's Casino Towers has done ok, but that is unlikely to be repeated now that Jupiters is building a massive hotel across from Casino Towers that will block much of this buildings river views (but not the western sun). Out of this group, my pick would be Quay West -- only 132 apartments, with a long hold period and good capital growth, never to be built out views.